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Food and Drink: Sweet Spots

  • F.H. Gillingham & Sons – Woodstock, VT

    F.H. Gillingham & Sons – Woodstock, VT

    F.H. Gillingham & Sons

    Woodstock, VT

    f-h-gillingham-and-sons-woodstock-vt
    F.H. Gillingham & Sons has been welcoming shoppers on Woodstock’s main street since 1886. 📸 F.H. Gillingham & Sons

    Smugglers’ Notch State Park Campground
    • Address: 16 Elm St, Woodstock, VT 05091
    • State: Vermont
    • Website: gillinghams.com

    Overview
    Established in 1886, F.H. Gillingham & Sons is Vermont’s oldest general store. Shelves are lined with maple syrup, hand-knit mittens, local cheese, and small-town charm.

    Why It’s Worth a Stop
    It’s part museum, part mercantile — the kind of place that still smells like wood floors and peppermint. Perfect for stocking up on gifts or snacks for the road.

    What to Know Before You Go

    • Open daily.
    • Free tastings of local jams and cheeses.
    • The store can feel busy during peak leaf season and holidays; weekday mornings are the quietest time to visit.

    Fun Fact
    The store has stayed in the Gillingham family for five generations.

  • Mornings in Paris – Kennebunk, ME

    Mornings in Paris – Kennebunk, ME

    Mornings in Paris

    Kennebunk, ME

    mornings-in-paris-kennebunk-me
    The welcoming exterior of Mornings in Paris Café in downtown Kennebunk. 📸 Mornings in Paris

    Mornings in Paris
    • Address: 21 Western Ave, Kennebunk, ME 04043
    • State: Maine
    • Website: morningsinparis.com

    Overview
    A French-inspired café in the heart of Kennebunk serving espresso, macarons, and buttery pastries. The space glows with soft light and smells like chocolate and fresh croissants — a small slice of Paris in coastal Maine.

    Why It’s Worth a Stop
    Warm, friendly, and always humming with quiet conversation, it’s the perfect spot to thaw out between holiday shopping and harbor walks.

    What to Know Before You Go

    • Opens daily at 7 a.m.
    • Limited parking behind the cafĂ©.
    • Seasonal drinks in December (try the winter spice tea latte).
    • Recently voted best cup of coffee in the Kennebunkport area!

    Fun Fact
    The café stamps every coffee sleeve with a hand-inked Eiffel Tower logo — a nod to its Parisian inspiration.

  • Edie Bees Confection Shop – Lewes, DE

    Edie Bees Confection Shop – Lewes, DE

    Edie Bees Confection Shop

    Lewes, DE

    edie-bees-confection-shop-lewes-de
    Edie Bees Confection Shop along Second Street in Lewes—a local landmark for candy lovers of all ages. 📸 Edie Bees Confection Shop

    Edie Bees Confection Shop
    • Address: 115 2nd Street. Lewes, DE 19958
    • State: Delaware
    • Website: https://ediebeeslewes.com/

    Overview
    Edie Bees Confection Shop feels like stepping into a storybook candy store. Glass jars brim with colorful sweets, chocolates, and nostalgic treats, while shelves showcase everything from saltwater taffy to artisanal caramels. The shop’s warm glow and friendly staff make it a delightful stop for visitors of all ages.

    Why It’s Worth a Stop
    It’s equal parts charm and craftsmanship. Whether you’re treating the kids after lunch or picking up gifts to take home, Edie Bees captures the magic of an old-fashioned candy counter with a modern touch.

    What to Know Before You Go

    • Located on Second Street in the heart of historic Lewes.
    • Open year-round; hours vary seasonally.
    • Known for its seasonal sweets—especially around the holidays.

  • Perk on Main – Middletown, CT

    Perk on Main – Middletown, CT

    Perk on Main

    Middletown, CT

    perk-on-main-middletown-ct
    Crepes, coffee, and community—Perk on Main makes every bite count. 📸 Perk on Main

    Perk on Main
    • Address: 386 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457
    • State: Connecticut
    • Website: www.perkonmain.com

    Overview:
    Perk on Main has been serving up coffee and crepes with a conscience since 2002. What started in a tiny shop in Durham has grown into a bright, welcoming café right in the heart of Middletown. Perk focuses on local and organic ingredients, fairly traded coffee, and environmentally responsible practices—from wind-powered energy to compostable packaging. Whether you’re there for breakfast, lunch, or a mid-day pick-me-up, you’ll find handmade crepes, espresso drinks, and a crew that makes everyone feel like a regular.

    Why It’s Worth a Stop:
    Come for the crepes, stay for the good vibes. Perk on Main is the kind of place where you can grab a lavender latte, read the community bulletin board, and run into your neighbors. It’s casual, friendly, and full of thoughtful details—from the food to the mission behind it.

    What to Know Before You Go:
    • Open daily—check website for current hours
    • Menu includes sweet and savory crepes, smoothies, and coffee drinks
    • Vegan and gluten-free options available
    • Environmentally conscious: composts food waste, uses wind energy, and supports local farms
    • Indoor and outdoor seating

    Fun Fact:
    Perk on Main’s food waste doesn’t go to the landfill—it’s turned into mulch, and even the coffee grounds are donated to local gardens.

  • Mr. D’s – Wallingford, CT

    Mr. D’s – Wallingford, CT

    Mr. D’s

    Wallingford, CT

    mr-ds-wallingford-ct
    Scoops, sweets, and small-town charm—Mr. D’s makes every visit feel like a treat. 📸 Mr. D’s

    Mr. D’s Ice Cream & Sweets
    • Address: 50 N Main St, Wallingford, CT 06492
    • State: Connecticut
    • Website: www.getmrds.com

    Overview:
    Mr. D’s is the kind of place that becomes part of your routine without even trying. Maybe it starts with a scoop of Black Raspberry after school. Or a birthday cake you picked up once—and now pick up every year. For owner Heather Williams, it started with childhood memories of Praline’s Ice Cream and turned into a dream come true when she bought the shop in 2021. Today, Mr. D’s still serves those classic Praline’s flavors, along with cupcakes, candy, coffee, and a little local magic.

    Why It’s Worth a Stop:
    Because every town needs a spot like this—where the cones are generous, the candy jars are full, and everyone knows your go-to order. Mr. D’s makes everyday moments feel like little celebrations.

    What to Know Before You Go:
    • Open year-round—check the website for current hours
    • Sells Praline’s Ice Cream, a Connecticut original
    • Ice cream cakes, cupcakes, and candy galore
    • Coffee, smoothies, and rotating dessert specials
    • Indoor seating with a few outdoor tables

    Fun Fact:
    Heather’s love of Praline’s Ice Cream goes back to her childhood in Meriden—and now her daughters are regulars at the shop she runs herself.

  • Buttonwood Farm Ice Cream – Griswold, CT

    Buttonwood Farm Ice Cream – Griswold, CT

    Buttonwood Farm Ice Cream

    Griswold, CT

    buttonwood-farm-ice-cream-griswold-ct
    Come for the ice cream, stay for the sunflowers—Buttonwood Farm is summer sweetness in every sense. 📸 Buttonwood Farm Ice Cream

    Buttonwood Farm Ice Cream
    • Address: 473 Shetucket Turnpike, Griswold, CT 06351
    • State: Connecticut
    • Website: www.buttonwoodfarmicecream.com

    Overview:
    Out in the quiet countryside of Griswold, Buttonwood Farm has been a family-run operation since the 1970s. These days, it’s best known for two things: rich, creamy homemade ice cream and its sunflower fields that bloom each July for a good cause. With more than 50 flavors to choose from—plus fresh-made waffle cones and real whipped cream—it’s the kind of place that draws a crowd on sunny afternoons. Kids can see the cows, parents can kick back under the open sky, and everyone leaves happy.

    Why It’s Worth a Stop:
    This is classic Connecticut summer at its best. Buttonwood keeps things simple: good ice cream, friendly people, and a peaceful place to enjoy both. Add in the sunflowers and it’s no wonder folks come back year after year.

    What to Know Before You Go:
    • Open March through October, 12–9 p.m. daily
    • More than 50 flavors, including non-dairy and frozen yogurt
    • Sunflower season hits mid-July and can get busy
    • Fresh waffle cones and whipped cream made in-house
    • Big parking lot and picnic tables available
    • No indoor seating—pack sunglasses and a blanket

    Fun Fact:
    Each year, Buttonwood plants over 14 acres of sunflowers to raise money for Make-A-Wish Connecticut—so far, they’ve raised almost $2 million.

  • Grassroots Ice Cream – Granby, CT

    Grassroots Ice Cream – Granby, CT

    Grassroots Ice Cream

    Granby, CT

    grassroots-kitchen-and-creamery-granby-ct
    From honey lavender to goat cheese swirl, Grassroots Ice Cream is a scoop above the rest. 📸 Grassroots Kitchen + Creamery

    Grassroots Ice Cream
    • Address: On the Town Green, 4 Park Pl, Granby, CT
    • State: Connecticut
    • Website: www.grassrootsicecream.com

    Overview:
    Just off the Farmington River Trail, Grassroots Ice Cream in Collinsville serves up wildly creative, small-batch scoops made at their Granby Creamery. Best known for imaginative flavors like Goat Cheese Blackberry, Blood Orange Chocolate Chip, and Honey Lavender, Grassroots churns out over 100 unique varieties throughout the year. The shop sits in a charming brick building with rainbow benches outside, perfect for a post-paddle or biking break. What started in the former Granby General Store has grown into a family-run favorite with locations across Connecticut and a reputation for making everything—down to the mix-ins—from scratch.

    Why It’s Worth a Stop:
    Voted one of Yelp’s “Top 100 Places to Eat” and a “Best of Hartford” winner, Grassroots balances creative flair with genuine community charm. From scratch-made jams and brownies to welcoming service, this spot delivers more than a scoop—it delivers a whole experience.

    What to Know Before You Go:
    • Open year-round; hours vary seasonally
    • Rotating ice cream menu—check online for updates
    • Vegan and dairy-free options available
    • Street parking nearby
    • Take your cone for a walk along the river or nearby trail system

    Fun Fact:
    Though best known for ice cream, Grassroots also dishes up “fast-gourmet” street food—think tacos, wraps, and salads—at their Granby, Simsbury, and New Milford locations.