Weston Store

We’re celebrating our 70th anniversary at The Vermont Country Store this year. These days, it’s remarkable for any business to have stayed around so long. But when I look out from the front porch at the store in Weston, up and down Main Street and all around the green, most of the businesses and landmarks have been around at least as long as we have, and many a good deal longer. They’ve stood the test of time and are still thriving.

We decided to celebrate our longevity and our special community by holding a huge town-wide party we called the Weston Birthday Bash. My family, our friends, and people from far and wide enjoyed our old-fashioned parade with homemade floats, decorated bicycles, tractors, and elected officials. Later on, we closed down the streets to enjoy cake and ice cream, games, and live music from the bandstand. The weather was perfect and our smiles were endless. It’s was one of those days we’ll look back on and say, “Remember when.…”

Years ago, you’d see similar celebrations in small towns across the country, but today they are increasingly rare. We’re lucky to come from a place like Weston where our sense of community is alive and well, and is being passed down through the ages. I hope you’ll make it for a visit to our store, so you can experience it for yourself. We’ll be glad to see you, and we’ll do our best to make it feel like your home, too.

Eliot Orton, for the Orton Family

Proprietors of The Vermont Country Store

Here are more photos of the Birthday Bash fun…

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Our storekeepers had their share of fun on our parade float, tossing penny candies when they weren't playing checkers.

Our storekeepers had their share of fun on our parade float, tossing penny candies when they weren’t playing checkers.

Eliot and Gardner cruising down Main Street in the parade.

Eliot and Gardner cruising down Main Street in the parade.

Lyman leads the parade on his vintage Columbia bicycle. You can see it hanging from the rafters at our Weston store most every day, when it’s not in use.

Lyman leads the parade on his vintage Columbia bicycle. You can see it hanging from the rafters at our Weston store most every day, when it’s not in use.

It was a beautiful day for an old-fashioned wagon ride.

It was a beautiful day for an old-fashioned wagon ride.

Our storekeepers put on their finest for the festivities.

Our storekeepers put on their finest for the festivities.

Before the parade, our storekeepers were putting the finishing touches on the float.

Before the parade, our storekeepers were putting the finishing touches on the float.

Behind the scenes, last minute details are attended to our storekeeper's costumes.

Behind the scenes, last minute details are attended to our storekeeper’s costumes.

It's not a parade without balloons!

It’s not a parade without balloons!

Warming up before the parade.

Warming up, before the festivities.