Capital Cannabis Moves to Mall
Montpelier’s downtown cannabis store has moved to the mall. According to its website capitalcannabisvt.com, the Main Street storefront location was “heavily impacted by the VT flood,” so they are closed there until further notice. However, they reopened in the Central Vermont Marketplace (Berlin Mall) at 282 Berlin Mall Road next to Walmart. Capital Cannabis, owned by Lauren Andrews, offers “craft cannabis, supporting artisanal growers and premium product makers” such as recreational marijuana and edibles.
Montpelier Farmers Market and Downtown Retailers Move Uptown
Ever since the July 10–11 flood, the Capital City Farmers Market has set up on the Vermont College of Fine Arts green without missing a beat. But recently they have been joined by some retail shop owners. Onion River Outdoors has hauled its inventory up to Stone Science Hall across the street from College Hall. Then, on Aug. 5, other retailers set up on the green, including Althea’s Attic, Woodbury Mountain Toys, Capital Kitchen, Rebel Heart, The Book Garden, Capitol Grounds, Grian Herbs Apothecary, The Drawing Board, Vermont Dog Eats, Capitol Stationers, and Roam Vermont. The practice is expected to continue throughout the summer.
Some Montpelier Stores Selling Wares Online Only
While it is not known for sure which businesses will reopen and which will close for good, some Montpelier downtown businesses are trying different ways to stay afloat.
For example, The Quirky Pet has opened an online store with instructions on how to purchase items on its website quirkypet.com. Also offering retail items online is the Capital Kitchen. “We’re making a collection on our website of items we can reach and are ready to ship your way (or free delivery within 5 mi on orders over $25),” writes owner Chris MacDonald.
Kismet Restaurant Has Closed
In a closure unrelated to the flood, Kismet owner Crystal Maderia has shut down the popular eatery at 202 Barre Street in Montpelier. The last service was July 30. She first opened the restaurant on Barre Street in 2006, then moved to 52 State Street in 2010. Kismet closed its State Street doors in Sept. 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, but reopened on Barre Street a year ago. Maderia wrote on her website: “I came to Montpelier to raise my children here, and created Kismet so that they could eat the best foods and be surrounded by community. And WOW, they sure did! But they have both grown and left home, and are exploring their independence. It seems appropriate that I consider doing some exploring myself.”
—compiled by Carla Occaso with a contribution by Phil Dodd
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