Stowe, Vermont is a picturesque little town known for its skiing and outdoor mountain-related activities, as well as being a prime spot for viewing colorful fall foliage. Because it is such a small town, there are many local shops which only make their home here. Read on below to discover our picks for the top five local Stowe shops!
Stowe Mercantile is sort of touristy, but it’s just such a fun place to wander around no matter where you’re from, and you never know when you’ll need a Vermont-themed gift for your family and friends back home. This shop really has it all, from clothing, books, candles, soaps, toys, Vermont beer, and hard cider to a wide variety of products made with local maple syrup. A bag of Vermont Maple Cookies, a cup of hot local cider, a roaring fire, and your favorite person snuggling next to you isn’t a bad way to spend the evening. Stowe Mercantile also offers a variety of products made in-house. Pick up a few jars of SMK Strawberry Rhubarb Jam, Maple Mustard or Maple Pumpkin Butter, SMK Handmade Maple Fudge, SMK Hickory, and Maple Smoked Cheddar Cheese or Sharp Cheddar, or the customer favorite SMK Spreadable Horseradish Cheddar.
Stowe Mercantile
38 Main Street Depot Building, Stowe VT
802-253-4554
Open daily 9 am – 6 pm
Everyone needs a great piece of chocolate every now and then and Laughing Moon Chocolates is the Stowe shop to get it. Besides delicious chocolate goodies, you can also pick up Barred Woods local maple syrup, locally roasted coffee, and CBD infused dark chocolate. Anything from Laughing Moon makes a great gift too if it doesn’t get eaten on the ride home. A few of their homemade treats include Sea Salted Caramels, Turtles, Truffles (including great flavors like Chévre Chamomile & Lavender), and Fudge. Specialties include nonpariels (a blast from the past), Chocolate Covered Oreos, and Honey Glazed Chocolate Covered Fruit.
Laughing Moon Chocolates
78 South Main Street, Stowe VT
802-253-9591
Daily 10 am – 6 pm
This is the place in Stowe for meats, seafood, cheeses, and more. The Butchery also offers party platters, private chef services, and catering for those special occasions. They’re now serving lunch, so you can pick up a savory sandwich when you pick up those baby back ribs and delicious sides for your weekend cookout. Don’t forget to grab a bottle of wine or two. Be sure to take a look at their made-in-house sauces, salts, and dry rubs. A bottle of Blueberry Habanero, Carolina Reaper, or Smoked Maple Sriracha will add some kick to lunch. Meat choices include veal, Prime New York Strip Steak (a staff and customer favorite), rib eyes, filet mignon, Vermont Raised Short Ribs, Prime Brisket, Korean BBQ Flank Skewers (another house fav), Vermont Raised Pork, Pancetta, and Bacon, Baby Back Ribs, Australian lamb, and a variety of in-house made sausages, plus of course a variety of local Vermont cheeses and imported cheeses.
The Butchery
504 Mountain Road, Stowe VT
802-253-1444
Open Monday – Saturday 10 am – 6 pm, and Sunday from 11 am – 4 pm
There had to be a bookstore on the list. Bear Pond Books is one of the greatest Stowe shops to spend a few hours browsing through their wide selection of books and more. They also offer a large variety of lovely greeting cards by Vermont artists.
Besides the latest bestsellers, you can browse Vermont and New England themed books and books by Vermont and New England writers, including Vermont Children’s books, books on Vermont folklore and history. There’s a nice selection of Vermont and New England travel books and maps too. And there are quite a few aisles dedicated just to puzzles! You’re going to want to grab a few for those days when it’s just too cold to stay outside for long, and they’ll be perfect for gathering the kids together in front of the fire with hot chocolate and snacks.
Bear Pond Books
38 South Main Street, Stowe VT
802-253-8236
Open daily 9 am – 9 pm
What could be a better way to spend your Sunday afternoon than heading to the farmers’ market? Pick up your fresh produce for the week, while listening to live, local musicians or pick up a few tips from one of the craft or cooking demonstrations. The kids can hit the petting zoo while you ramp up your culinary skills. Stock up on a wide variety of fresh vegetables, fruit, meats, dairy, local maple products, bread and baked goods, herbal products, flowers, and all kinds of beverages to keep your thirst quenched while you shop and for enjoying later. There are plenty of pre-prepared foods too, from crepes and samosas to pizza, ice cream, and more. Local craft vendors have handmade jewelry, bags, ceramics, art, and more for sale.
Vendors may vary from season to season, and from week to week, but some of the market’s past vendors have included Black Diamond Barbeque (worth the trip for the BBQ alone!), Breadseed Farm, Blue Moon Pottery, DG Woodworking, Farmer Sue, Green Mt Potstickers, Honeywilya Fish, Hunger Mt Orchard, MT Creek Apiary, Mt Mansfield Creamery, Sage Farm Goat Dairy, Sisters of Anarchy Ice Cream, The Nutty Vermonter, The Sustainable Kitchen, Two Sons Bakehouse and Waterman Orchards.
Stowe Farmers’ Market
1746 Mountain Road, Stowe VT
Every Sunday from May 19th through October 13th, from 10:30 am – 3 pm
