‘Made in Vermont Boutique’ Opening Soon in Stockbridge
By Shari McLaughlin

Being a localvore is about to get a little easier with the soon-to-be-open Made in Vermont Boutique on Route 100 in a big yellow farmhouse on the Stockbridge/Rochester town line. Just as the name implies, the Made in Vermont Boutique will be a one-stop-shopping collection of products handmade by Vermonters and it just might satisfy your urge for all things local.

Owner Cathy Reynolds says her own desire for "low mileage products" (not shipped from far away) was the impetus for the boutique. "I looked around for what I wanted and products that met my standards and found it difficult to find everything in one place."

Reynolds notes that many stores feature Vermont-made gift items for the tourist market but "it’s difficult to find consumer products in stock." She adds, "in this day and age I think we need to stop relying so heavily on fossil fuels" and that means offering products not "shipped from overseas."

Reynolds will also feature clothing in sync with the "Sweat-Free" movement (i.e. clothing not made in sweatshops). The "Ya Girl" line of clothing carried by the boutique features work pants for women, made by women in the Northeast Kingdom who lost their jobs when the Bogner ski clothing company sent its production overseas. Local residents and regular visitors to the area who were disappointed when Irene Collins’ "Raiments and Adornments" consignment shops in Strafford and Rochester closed, will be pleased to hear that Collins is re-opening in the Made in Vermont Boutique.

Built in 1830 as a family farmhouse, the boutique features nine-ft.-high pressed tin ceilings and wide pine plank floors. Not a traditional retail store, the boutique is a collaborative market featuring independent vendors selling handmade clothing, furniture, household goods, agricultural products, processed foods, fine arts and crafts. All items are juried and carefully selected. The merchandise will be a fusion of practical items to appeal to the local community and gifts items to appeal to the tourist market.

New vendors are still being sought. To be considered, contact Reynolds at 767-9940 or peavinetrail@yahoo.com for a vendor application.

Look for the grand opening announcement in February.

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