Boston Area Country Store Evokes Memories of Vermont

Article and photo by Eric H.

The Old Country Store and Emporium in West Mansfield Village, MA, looks like someone took a village from Vermont, put it on a flatbed truck and brought it to the Boston suburbs.

Located in a Vermont-like neighborhood with old Colonial and country homes, a peaceful-looking modest old church, tree-lined streets, and a solitude occasionally interrupted by a rushing train, the Old Country Store and Emporium becomes even "more Vermont" upon entering this 175-year-old, continuously-running country store. The original store, with its worn, hardwood floors, 19th century mood lighting, post-and-beam ceilings, and an unidentifiable mix of country store aromas, immediately creates a scene actually better than some country stores in Vermont by packing what seems like every favorite, heartwarming country store item into its large-sized rooms. There's an antique candy counter with hard-to-find candies, an area artfully dedicated to fudge and other delicious chocolates, a provisions section with homemade peanut butter, Vermont cheddar cheese, fresh ground coffee, a pickle barrel, jams, jellies and maple products, unique teas and, of course, Vermont Common Crackers. The original store also offers touches of 21st century merchandise like a wide variety of Webkinz dolls, sure to delight the kids.

Perhaps the most unique aspect of the Old Country Store, however, is the "Emporium," with its old, restored, operational player pianos, restored soda fountain and apothecary shop, barber shop items, home fragrances, toys, vintage furniture reproductions and curios, grandfather clocks, cranberry glass, fine pewter, forged brass candlesticks, and floor lamps. There's even a cozy, dimly-lit upstairs attic with furniture for the bedroom, including one of the best displays of rocking chairs we have ever seen in our lifetime of frequent furniture shopping.

Meandering rooms, fully aligned with the old country store look, thankfully, seem to go on forever -- we can never quite get enough of this place. The "Grain Shed" features houseware and kitchen merchandise. The hardware section extends this trip back in time with wrought iron hardware designed locally, door knockers and other relevant merchandise. There's even an "old country store lamplighter" who can fix your old lamps and skillfully turn a jug, vase or bottle into a lamp! Where else in this big box store, modern world can you find such ingenuity?

The Stove Room houses fireplace grates, screens and hearth accessories, while the "Old Sharon Box" offers "woodenware, stoneware, mugs and cast iron products from the foundry and forge."

As if this greatest hits of country store items wasn't enough, the Old Country Store and Emporium also features a separate building called Firehouse Candles, housing an amaazing array of candles and accessories from Yankee Candle and Colonial Candle of Cape Cod.

The Old Country Store and Emporium makes for a great New England travel retail attraction in a location where you certainly wouldn't expect a country store. Once in West Mansfield Village and the Country Store, it's hard to tell the difference between this location -- ironically, right off hectic Routes 95 and 495 -- and a peaceful setting in Vermont. For us, it feels like the quickest 20 minute drive from the Boston area to Vermont!

Old Country Store and Emporium
26 Otis St.
Mansfield, MA
Tel. 508-339-8128

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Good Eeeevening!: A Perspective on New Hampshire Meteorologist Al Kaprielian

Article by Eric H., at VisitingNewEngland.com Somewhere in the 1980s, my esteemed Arlington High School journalism teacher Len Tammaro tipped me off about a New Hampshire television weatherman that he called "Crazy Al Kaprielian." That night, I couldn't believe what I saw: this nerdy-looking guy with a high-pitched voice flailing his arms all over the weather map, contorting his face in every direction, and squealing, "Good Eeeevening!" and "HIGH PRESSURE!" (his future trademark phrases)." All that boundless energy and the myriad antics left the viewer laughing, yet enervated at the same time. In this world of slick, Ken and Barbie television meteorologists, Al Kaprielian has been the antidote to the standard, unctuous television personality. Twenty-five years later, Al is still going strong on MyTV New England with his unique style --perhaps validation that he really loves his job. No doubt, Al has always been an unconventional, unique-looking a...
Read more

Visiting My Grandmother Had That Antiques in Wrentham, Mass.

Image
My Grandmother Had That...Antiques  in Wrentham, Mass., is one of those "hidden gem" antique stores that is jam-packed with antiques, collectibles and other items from the past. Located in a charming, two-story old red barn at 446 South St. (Route 1A), My Grandmother Had That...Antiques certainly lives up to its name. You'll find furniture, lamps, desks, chairs, plant holders, fine China sets and just about everything your grandma had, and also didn't have -- like a web address, Facebook fan page or any hint on the Internet that this place exists! Unless you're a Wrentham native, one familiar with the antiques industry, have driven by the red barn on South St., or somebody that just reads maps of Wrentham all day, My Grandmother Had That...Antiques is as hard to find as the rarest antique. You won't even find the name, "My Grandmother Had That," on the building, just a sign that states "Antiques." The My Grandmother Had That name is on ...
Read more

Where To Live In Connecticut That Has A Small Town Feel?

Image
Noank, Conn. Editor's note: We recently received an email from one of our readers looking to possibly move to Connecticut. Here is her inquiry, followed by our response... Hi, my name is Courtney and I found your website completely truthful and helpful. I talked to my cousin who lives in the northern part of the east coast and she described exactly what you did! I am currently in Orange County, California, and don't like the "ingenuinity" (we're assuming the word is"disingenuous") and mindset of the people. I have found that Connecticut is a place with great weather and has a lot if cities with a small town feel. I was wondering if there was any way that you could help me specify my search in CT? I would like a city with a small town feel where your neighbors are sweet, but it still has a high quality of life. Essex and Stonington caught my eye, but I've never been so I can't say! Thank you for your time. Thank-you for your inquiry. We d...
Read more