What spectacular find! My wife completely lucked into finding this place, because even if you look hard as you cruise or stroll up Eastern Ave in St. Johnsbury, you are not going to spot this gem so easily. Luckily, my beautiful wife happened to see an extremely cool Vermont-themed T-shirt in All About Flowers, another great business there in St. J and immediately tucked her head inside to inquire about the unique designed shirt. Much to her surprise, she found she was standing just a few mere feet from this great little shop, nestled on the true ground floor of the building, with the entrance right off of Thaddeus Ln. There isn't a sign, yet, but unless it was bought by an inquiring couple this past week, you'll know you are in the right place because of the really cool, antique, out-of-tune upright piano in the doorway. (If the piano is still there, inquire within, last I heard it was free to a good home)
As you enter the wide-open door, the place gives you the feel of an artist's studio- and that's because it is. Well sort-of, anyway. Stephen, the owner of The Gypsy Coast Co. (What a cool, fun name ask about it when you get there!), shares the space with another artist. To the right and the back of the space you'll find several wet screens, a conveyor driver, the sweet smell of T-shirt printing ink and a whole lot of creativity! The designs, which can be placed on T-shirts, both long sleeve and short, hoodies, stickers, stationary and I'm sure quite a few other items, vary from simple and casual (my favorite being a Heather Green Tee with white print that simple reads "Green Mountain State" to the creative and whimsical (though I'll be honest, it isn't the right term and I haven't had enough coffee to crack open the thesaurus in my head this morning.) My wife immediately gravitated to the Northeast Kingdom Tee, with its small, Vermont state silhouette and appropriately located crown of the NEK and the very cool Vermont-esque logo on the rear of the shirt. They didn't have the size or color she was looking for though. No worries, Stephen was quick to take down our "custom" request and assured we would have the shirts in hand before our pilgrimage to Danville and the NEK would conclude by the end of the week! All said, we walked out of the shop with 3 shirts and two stickers in hand, and another 5 shirts that were delivered to us before our Family Truckster turned south for the long drive home. The kids don't know it yet, but this is where their souvenirs from this trip will be coming from. (Shhh... don't tell them.)
I could fill this page with more explanation, including the whimsy in the explanation of the company's name, but I couldn't do it justice and it wouldn't be my place to do so anyway. Get up off your rears, head over to Eastern Ave in St. J and find out all about this hidden gem for yourself. Stephen's charisma and accommodating spirit will charm you into leaving this great little shop with a bag of great printed charms in hand- and it should! We truly haven't found a cooler custom Tee shop in not only the NEK, but anywhere else in the great Green Mountain State.
Not only does he have some great designs, both reflective of Vermont and the NEK and some inspired by adventure and treasure (ask Stephen more about this when you are there), but he can custom design the perfect shirt for your business or event. If you caught the Pet Parade in St. J this past Saturday (June 4th, 2022), and you were lucky enough to snag one of the limited edition T-shirts, then you already know how awesome Stephen and the Gypsy Coast Co. team are. (I think there are still a few of these shirts which benefit a great cause still available on the St. J Pet Parade website right now!)
Want the full NEK experience? Then be sure sure to book your travels to the NEK the first weekend of October and catch Stephen's booth, along with numerous other amazing local artisan's at Danville VT's Autumn on the Green on October 2nd, 2022. This is a can't miss event and a can't miss vendor, so mark those calendars now!
Too far of a drive? The Gypsy Coast Co. has its own website, Etsy site and other social media presence, so that however you choose to shop online.
Buy Local! Love Vermont! Buy Vermont! Love One Another! Hit up this great little apparel shop!
Quick disclaimer: While it may sound like it, I have absolutely no financial interest or otherwise in this great little business. I'm just hyper enthusiastic about great tees (four drawers strong at the house- sorry, Babe) and can't help but gush when I find a really cool place that needs to be shared with others. read more