My wife and I are driving around Connecticut (we grew up here, but many many years ago) and are…read morehitting up some local book shops while in the area. We were making our way through West Hartford when we stumbled across the River Bend Bookshop and just had to check it out. This shop is super cool looking because it's basically just inside of a small apartment. The shop itself has a cozy New England vibe and has a small to large section of pretty much every genre. Sadly, the horror section seems to be one of the smaller sections but hey, I don't live here, so clearly they know what their customers are looking for. Near the cash registers they have a nice selection of merch for the shop (sadly, no River Bend Bookshop Magnet) and a cool section dedicated to local authors and stuff like that. Overall, River Bend Bookshop is a super nice little book shop for the area and definitely a place worth checking out. Sadly, I didn't make a purchase on this trip because I can only fly back to LA with so much stuff, but I very much enjoyed checking this place out.

We did a book fair with them last year. The book choices were lovely. I worked with Meghan. She…read morewas not very responsive. She would tell us she would be somewhere and not show up and not communicate she would be late. Communication was a huge issue. I wish so much that we had a better experience because our school really enjoyed working with a local company. We were looking forward to planning two book fairs as well as a Parent book fair this year with Riverbend, prior to the issues. I ended up having to reconcile our account, since she did not have time. The system they use is not user friendly. Meghan did apologize in the end. I would be very cautious working with this company as a book fair.

Just learned of this little gem yarn store ! Mary assisted with a knitting afghan and went out of…read moreher way to assist. Made sure I returned to support this quaint - local shop. Mary again assisted with my questions.

This yarn store got really good reviews, so I was looking forward to going and seeing what it was…read morelike. I'm completely new to this area of Connecticut and thought I would try to search out the local yarn stores. I called first before going to make sure that they were open and the woman who answered the phone was very polite and friendly. When I went to the store and walked in, there were only three people in the store (it is a small store). One person was working behind the counter, and the other two were having a conversation. I was in the store looking around for probably 20 minutes and at no point did anyone say hello, ask me if I needed help finding something, or what I was making etc., etc. I'm used to yarn stores in New York City, and that hustle and bustle, but I have to say even in the NYC stores, they say hello and welcome you in--and a lot of times they ask you what project(s) you're working on, what yarn you're looking for, and if you need any help. They try to engage you. That is part of what makes for a good yarn store experience. At this store, however, there was no engagement whatsoever. I thought it was very odd. The vibe was cold. Then, I guess the one customer they had left the store, and I was alone with these two people for another 10 minutes and they still never said a word to me. I just found it really strange. In terms of their selection of yarn, they seemed to have a lot of Berroco. Some Malabrigo, and small representations of Sandnes Garn, Istex, Madeline Tosh, and Jamieson & Smith and others. The store is very clean and tidy and nicely merchandised, with numerous store samples. I think the general lighting in the store could be improved upon, but many yarns stores seem to suffer from lighting challenges. There seems to be plenty of offstreet parking in a small parking lot in front of the store. Will I recommend or go back to this store? No. Why not? - No customer engagement/strange, standoffish vibe. Life is too short for that. - Small yarn selection; not enough higher end yarns. There are other yarn stores out there with better selections. Not worth the drive.

I was looking for a place to help me with sewing a pattern. It has been years since I sewed…read moresomething from a pattern and was DEFINATELY rusty. When I searched I found this location in Glastonbury, I had only know Southington until I googled, well I can not say enough good things about the staff there. From the moment you walk in everyone is pleasant and happy to be there. I was very fortunate because it was Wednesday Maria was there to help me fumble my way through things. She even went above and beyond by 1) staying past her scheduled time & 2) when she really needed to go she made a little sample for me to follow with written instructions. I did not get the gentleman's name that was there but he was wonderful also. I am looking forward to the winter months for some of their classes as they do quilting classes and that is always something I've wanted to learn. So make sure to check out their website and classes.

Don't ever take your sewing machine to this business for repairs, they'll charge you a small…read morefortune and your machine will be missing parts when you get it back. And you'll be patronized and condescended to for expressing your dissatisfaction.

This store has a wide selection of home items with reasonable prices. I came in looking for bath…read moresheets and found many options available for great prices. Store was well stocked for my needs.

They have three isles of Grinch things and then so much more! If your feeling crafty and need to…read morefind a spot to get things this is the place! Feeling festive and need decorations, your going to want to come here. This place is so much fun just browsing through the isles. They have so many options the selections are outstanding! The lines were short and the staff was nice! I believe their items to be good quality too! They also have 50% Christmas decor! Making quality products available at a much lower cost.

I remember going to Claire's when I was a little girl I used to love it, so when my 1st grade…read moredaughter asked me to go to Claire's for having a great conference I was caught off guard but so excited for her!! So of course we headed to Claire's in the Canton Shops. Today, walking in the store brought back so many memories, and watching how excited my daughter was to pick out all of her new jewelry made my heart so happy. I love this store they have the buy 3 get 3 free mix and match necklaces bracelets and hair accessories!!! All of the jewelry is so adorable and has many different age appropriate things. You can't beat the prices, my daughter was able to get 5 necklaces, a headband, and a pair of earrings for only $34 and the stuff She picked out was so adorable !!! It was a fun mommy and daughter mini trip . The staff was so friendly in helping us with everything they even have rewards so next time I will get 20% off!! Definitely recommend good old Claire's and as a mother the memories of my child hood came rushing back !!!

This small store is located between the Paper Store and a currently empty store front at the…read moreShoppes in Farmington Plaza. Parking directly in front of the store can be tight, but there's generally a spot within quick walking distance. It is your classic Claire's - very bright and colorful, lots of cute earrings and accessories, and sales tucked all around the store. It was a little crowded but the displays and floor were very clean. I personally don't care for the upselling at the register - I appreciate earrings are buy 3 get 3 free, but I only want one pair and why would I spend an extra $16+ just to get three free earrings I don't want to begin with? Oh cashiers of Claire's, please just accept the first no and don't try to explain it to me when I understand the math.

Great service. This European woman who works there is such an expert and knew exactly what my wife…read morewould like! She was so upbeat and you could tell she really enjoys working there. Couldn't have done it without her, she helped me make my wife's birthday presents awesome! Also picked up a store card for the specials and discounts, wife loves it!

I do my best not to go to j jill in the Farmington shoppes so I always order on line that's because…read moreof the grumpy lazy unhappy women working there .They are unwelcoming lazy unhelpful with a negative attitude .On top of that Everyone of them got that feeling why she not the other employees has to help the customer. The manager either not in control of her store or doesn't know how to run a store or simply as bad as her employees .

My family and I have been following this store since they started out in Middletown. The owner…read morestated that this should be her last move. She spent years in Meriden before making this move. The new location is beautiful. Situated on the corner of South Colony and Quinnipiac Street, you'll find free parking behind the building. In the same parking lot, you will find the Azteca Bakery and the Six One Nine Supper Club, a market and Taqueria. The store has a mix of vintage, handmade, new and used items. The prices were definitely on point. I was very pleased with the prices of the handmade items that we purchased. My son and I found a Father's Day gift and a birthday gift for my mother. There was plenty there for me, but Jacob was ready to go home after a long morning of gallivanting. I'm looking forward to my next trip and trying to figure out how I can make it to the grand opening this coming Thursday!

I found Melissa and Hanna very easy to socialize with and explain how the store began over 20 years…read moreago. I guess this is the same store with numerous locations over the past decades. I am late to the "game", but here's hoping her persistence and love for her customers as well as the artists that rent space will be making this a huge successful, local, and FUN place to visit for Wallingford in the years to come!

Such a great dollhouse! This place is a doll lovers dream! My three girls absolutely loved shopping…read morehere! It's very pricey, be prepared. We also admitted a beloved doll in the doll hospital for repairs. I can tell the owner was nervous, with us walking around her "dollhouse". It was actually pretty funny. *Update I picked up my doll. Renee installed a crying device. I was hoping she would comb my doll's hair and make her look pretty. If I owned a doll shop, I would have. Why not add special touches? Why not put the doll in a pretty box, or bag for pick up? Presentation matters to many. Oh well.

This store is a must if you love dolls. It has the cutest dolls and the cutest clothes imaginable…read more Plus the store owner Renee is very sweet and helpful. Fortunately the store also offers doll repairs and restoration. This is a huge blessing because I thought I would have to send my Cabbage Patch doll through the mail to get her repaired and I was terrified that she would get lost. But I knew Renee would take great care of her. I entertained my nieces with this doll over the years and her eyes had become very worn. Her eyes open and close and rock back and forth, and would not stay still long enough for me to touch them up myself, not that I had any confidence that I could do a decent job. But Renee was able to do the impossible. The doll's eyes look as good as new.. I have attached before and after pictures to this review. When Renee brought the doll out to show me I could not believe what a good job she did. I also bought this adorable "skin suit" which the doll can wear under her outfits to help protect her from getting dirty. I will definitely tell everybody I know about this store.