My mom and I went on a Sunday drive and got lost looking for a place, I know it's still possible to…read moreget lost in 2026. So glad that we did because we kept going and ended up at Apple Barrel Country Store. We were going to run in and ask for directions but were so charmed by the store, we decided to explore and eventually made our way to the restaurant. It was perfect timing for a late lunch and we requested to be seated outside on their deck overlooking the mountains of our beautiful state. Our server was the sweetest and took great care of us even though they were busy and seemingly short staffed. I ordered the AB combo with a choice of soup and sandwich and both my selections were so good. Corn chowder and Turkey sandwich. The blueberry mint lemonade I had was the perfect accompaniment. We made our way back to the store for some retail therapy and headed home after a lovely afternoon. The blueberry peach pie for dessert at home was so yummy.

This is my second visit to the store and cafe and I'm even more impressed than the first. The food…read moreand drinks were delicious. The atmosphere is quiet and relaxing while you're surrounded by nature. The store is charming and has something for everyone inside. I've only been for lunch both times, but I can't wait to return for dinner for a cocktail on the patio. One of my new favorites for sure.

Stopped in after we left the General store. This was a cute little gift store with a good…read moreselection on locally sourced artisan sourced gifts. We were there late in the day so really did not find much I was interested in but would love to come back in over the Holidays. They had a good variety of items which was nice but prices tended to be on the high end.

Such a super cute gift shop with a large variety of unique gifts. You can find gifts for babies,…read moreyour bestie, your mom, your favorite griller, your gardener, or even your pet. The woman running the store was so sweet and helpful without being pushy. Even the basic wrapping with a purchase, makes it feel like something special. The store is broken up into sections with different vibes/themes of gifts. Would definitely recommend stopping by if you are in the area and looking for a unique gift.

Lots of cool Albany swag. Even if you live here, you'll want a sweatshirt! Or a shot glass with…read moreNipper on it. Lots of unique things too, from body butter to bar tender essentials to books about Albany. Stop by and browse! It's a small boutique located in downtown on Broadway.

While I do understand that the ownership has changed and inevitably will give the store a different…read morevibe, my main issue has been that in the times I have been into this store since the change in ownership and management, the staff has been unpleasant and on one occasion in particular, made my friend and I feel very uncomfortable as she had a loud and extremely personal phone call during the entire time we were in the store without even acknowledging that we were there at all. I do think the selection has always been great, and I appreciate the emphasis on supporting local work, although that also seems to have changed a bit since the change. It is a pricey location for most things, but I do always enjoy seeing what is in the store, the card selection is consistently excellent, and it is a great place to find a gift!

The lady behind the counter was very pleasant and I absolutely loved taking my time to look through…read moreall of the interesting items she has for sale. The selection is great, and the prices were very reasonable for the handmade items. Not the place to go for traditional ADK merchandise but a great place to browse and enjoy nonetheless. I will definitely be returning!!

To start, when someone posted a comment the owner didn't like -- nothing offensive, just facts --…read moreshe chose not to address it. Others commented about the same issue, and instead of having a conversation or explaining what happened, the owner responded with a comment that wasn't favorable to the person involved. Then she removed all the comments and proceeded to block everyone who shared experiences she disagreed with.

Purchased two Norway Spruce Trees and had them delivered and planted. Andrew, Ryan and Adam were…read moreWonderful. Polite Knowledgable and hardworking young men who did a beautiful job.

There's nothing in this world that my daughter likes more than berries, and since I'm going broke…read morebuying them for her, I thought maybe we could grow our own. My mom is my source of all things gardening, and she told me to go to Story's. I looked up the website (which is great) to see what they had in stock. Under "fruiting plants" in nursery stock, I found what was basically a comprehensive list of all the fruit I could think of...so we just decided to head over and take our chances. When we arrived and walked around a bit, I realized that they actually HAVE pretty much everything on that comprehensive list, because this place is massive and awesome. I don't think I can possibly list all the things they've got, but I feel pretty confident saying that their selection is better than anything you might find in the surrounding area: Trees, shrubs, evergreens, bushes, perennials, herbs, succulents, conifers, flowers, vegetables, vines...you want plants, they've got the plants. They've also got all the garden supplies you need...plant food, fertilizer, seeds, pesticides, tools, a gorgeous selection of pots, and hooks, and garden gnomes, and more. I didn't know I needed netting to keep the birds from eating my blueberries, but they did, and they've got the netting you need. I should note that my mom frowns on netting your berries, as she believes we need to share with the birds...but she's just a much better person than I am.

Great Shop! Unique items! Just Loved wandering, we found items on the porch area before we even got…read moreinside. Will go back if close to that area.

LOVE LOVE this place. Now that I moved from NH to TN I miss it so much. Beautiful things great…read moreshopping experience

I stopped by this store again this afternoon after shopping here yesterday and purchasing a couple…read moreof items. Yesterday, the store was much busier with lots of people browsing and shopping. There was one thing I regretted not purchasing yesterday--the Southhampton Wool Herringbone Throw in Estate Grey color. It's made in England from 100% new wool. When I happened to be in the area again this afternoon, I decided to go back and get it, and I was so happy to find it still available! The two ladies working behind the counter were both warm, and extremely courteous. They made my second visit just as pleasant as the first. I'm so happy I came back and purchased the throw today.

Love this store! Everyone is masked up, knowledgeable and friendly. Beautifully curated and quality…read moreproducts. A must stop every time I'm in town!

The store is unique, and different for a country setting . We really enjoyed visiting need I say we…read morespent lots of money there, I couldn't resist some of thier outrageous one of a kind items. Very peaceful atmosphere, The owner is very sincere, and offered us tea and cookies, it ws a very hot day and sitting in the gazebo was like air conditioning all natural. we had a wonderful time talking. I can't wait to visit again in a couple of weeks, I have seen numerous items I can't wait to purchased. Thank you for showing us around and all your beautful wall hangings. We will see you soon!

I am overjoyed by their wonderful service and level of caring. The product arrived on time, despite…read moreit being Xmas. The owners of the company went out of their way to make sure that I was satisfied with my order. The product was wonderful and of the best quality. I would highly recommend this company. They are honest, caring and profoundly professional. They were also kind enough to send me samples of their wonderful products. Great service and great products. I wish them nothing but prosperity and success.

Amazing shop! Quirky antiques, especially for ladies. Great local handmade gifts. Not to mention…read morethe 2 sweets cats who reside in the store during business hours.

I'll lovely cafe near home with an even lovelier owner…read more A girls lunch with one friend. I've been here before and got a sandwich which was good but the pancakes were outstanding, a family recipe and I ordered a side which was a sausage patty. A very good experience. They were short on help, but the waiter was good, and it really wasn't that long of a wait. My friend enjoyed her salad. We both had coffee and were good. After eating we went and looked around their little gift shop. They also have a little dessert and candy area. If you want a treat to go.

Let me begin by mentioning that I am a degreed chef, I worked for 12 years as a flight attendant…read moreand Purser for Pan American World Airways, almost always working the First Class Galley, I have chaired many Tea Gatherings for my local CT Church and entertain frequently by serving an authentic English Tea to friends and family. I have earned and wear with pride my nickname of "The Tea Lady". I have taken Tea Ceremony classes in Tokyo Japan and have enjoyed afternoon tea service at 5 star properties from Manhattan (The Russian Tea Room) to Dacca in Bangladesh. I have enjoyed Tea at The Churchill Hotel in London, The Breakers Hotel under their hand painted ceiling and most recently I reveled in a cherry blossomed Tea Room in Edinburgh at the famous Palm Court of the Balmoral Hotel second only to the Palm Court at The Plaza in NYC. I say this only to provide context to what I am about to say concerning a tea spot in East Greenbush which until recently was one of my favorite upstate NY places to have Tea and escape for a few minutes from our bustling, noisy, distracting world. Just last week I invited a friend to come to tea and lunch with me since we had not seen each other in a very long time and she had had surgery a short time ago. I called Roots at 1PM and asked if their tea service could be ordered for one hour hence. I was told: "Oh no that takes 3 hours to prepare, sorry you can't order Tea now". So I settled on lunch and made an appt for 2PM. (they advertise that they are open until 3PM.) We arrived on the dot of 2, only to be reminded that they close down the kitchen at 2:30 so we should order pretty fast, in addition the kitchen was 112 degrees and the cook wanted to be out of there! We ordered and the meals came out very fast but not before we were asked 3 times by the very loud and frankly intrusive server "were our drinks ok?", "did we want to order NOW", and again, how are your drinks?" My friend and I were talking in a very soft lady-like manner and this person's tenor and intrusions into our conversation was very un-welcomed. My sandwich had mustard slathered on it, so much that I had to wipe it clean in order to eat. My tea had been served w/o the milk I requested and w/o benefit of a spoon with which to stir it when I finally was given the milk. Thereafter there followed an annoying uninvited "visit" by our server approx 4 more times to interrupt the important conversation I was trying to have with my guest. When the cook came out and pulled the money out of the register, and when the server yelled across the large room to someone who had entered the front door, over our heads, I asked my guest: "what time is it?" "2:30" she answered, we were being told it was time to leave in no uncertain terms before the close of their published business day! Then the coup de grace... the lights were turned off! Frankly I was surprised that the vacuum cleaner was not also engaged at that exact time. I stood up and said " Well I gather we are being told to leave?" No answer from either the cook or the server. I asked for the check and shared with the server ( in a very calm demeanor) how she had broken every rule of gracious dining in the 45 minutes that we had been their "guests". I left but not without leaving a generous tip even though she told me since we had had such a negative experience that I did not need to leave a tip. After all it is not her fault that her employer has not trained her in the finer points of hospitality...which is by definition "the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers". We were neither treated or received in a friendly manner. I left saying: "Goodbye for now and forever". I went home dreaming of the next time I would be at The Reading Room Cafe in Cos Cob, Greenwich where the customer is treated with the most gracious hospitality ...even if I were to arrive just before closing time at 5PM. Instead of leaving the world behind for one hour we were instead bombarded by the world outside being inside Roots... noisy, distracting and utterly w/o even the semblance of good manners and dining etiquette. Sadly and Sincerely, Mary Howard