10 Things To Love About West Stockbridge
It may feel like serendipity when the road you’re on (Routes 102 or 41, or several others) drops you into West Stockbridge, Mass., with its main street that begs you to stop and explore. But don’t just stay on Main Street — keep looking around. For a small town, there are a surprising number of reasons to visit and, in the past couple of years, a passel of new businesses have set up shop. West Stockbridge has acquired a new vibrancy that has not disturbed its small-town feel.
1. Restaurants It’s likely that West Stockbridge’s restaurants have been a port of entry for many visitors. For 20 years or so, Rouge has been the Berkshires’ go-to place for authentic fine French food and wine dinners. Recently, proprietress Maggie Merelle installed a new chef, Oliver Antunes, and refreshed the interior. Our reviewer confirmed that “Rouge is a steady star.” Truc Orient Express, family-owned for more than 40 years, is clearly a favorite for Vietnamese food. The new kid on the block is the Tap House at Shaker Mill, managed by Chef Brian Alberg and Denise Albert of Main Street Hospitality Group, which serves comfort food on a higher level.
2. Stevens Glen A Berkshire Natural Resources Council property, this is a short (1.2 miles round trip), 45-minute hike on a partially looped trail. Stevens Glen embraces walkers with glades of white pines and hemlocks and leads to a waterfall. Dunk your feet in the stream or relax on the viewing platform’s bench. You’ll find the trailhead on Lenox Branch Road.
3. Coffee and Connection Sadly, Shaker Dam Coffeehouse has closed, but Six Depot Roastery Café remains arguably the liveliest business ever to hit the town. Always bustling, the café hand roasts the highest quality, most ethical green coffee beans in small batches, and the coffee is so highly regarded you can find it sold at retail establishments and served at restaurants throughout the RI region. But it’s not just the outstanding java, simple but tasty menu or summertime scoop shop that gets our vote: the community gravitates to its spaces flooded with the light and warmth of loving owners Lisa Landry and Flavio Lichtenthal, who was the chef at Gould Farm in Monterey prior opening Six Depot. The adjoining gallery is a popular showcase for artists, films, live performances and classes, often to standing-room-only crowds.
3. What's Shaking in Books Bookseller Eric Wilska may have sold The Bookloft in Great Barrington, but he now owns Shaker Mill Books, which he opened in 2013. It features new, used and rare books and specializes in out-of-print, signed and first editions as well as regional history and books by local authors. Wilska’s newest venture is right next door at The Book Mill, housed in a ca. 1805 grist mill barn. Filled with book-related art and ephemera (and plenty of books, too), it’s Wilska’s playroom of creative projects, including an on-site book binder and events. The barn and Wilska’s whimsical displays are a delight for any book aficionado to behold. (Since the barn’s not heated, it’s a seasonal attraction.)
4. The Foundry Yet another new enterprise in West Stockbridge, The Foundry, built as a glass blowing studio, is now a performing and visual arts space. Theater artist Amy Brentano conceived of it as a place to combine community programming with professionalism, producing theater, music, comedy, spoken word and educational workshops. It’s also home to Bazaar Productions, a nonprofit theater company. Opened in June of 2019, it has already hosted a wide range of events and its website lists an almost nightly lineup of upcoming performances.
5. Shopping Adventures The town is home to several alluring and curious shops that will surprise and delight. Charles H. Baldwin & Sons, established in 1888, is best known for its famous vanilla extract (made using only the finest bourbon vanilla beans from Madagascar), and a collection of other fine extracts and spices. Visit this historic establishment to find a trove of nostalgia including an old photo booth machine and a cash register that dates back to the year it opened. Sandy Klempner @ Home, an antiques purveyor, showcases product designer Klempner’s fine eye, with a mix of antique, mid-20th century and later vintage treasures. Flourish Market, carefully curated by owner Jennifer Knopf, offers a cornucopia of vintage, antique and new furniture and décor. Hotchkiss Mobiles features the creations of Joel Hotchkiss, who supplies objects for museum shops, but you can purchase them, too. (He also offers mobile-making workshops.)
6. Living History Formerly the old town hall, the West Stockbridge Historical Society has undergone restoration efforts for more than a decade, thanks in large part to Historical Society Chairman Robert Salerno, who has guided the fundraising and “rebirthing” efforts as a labor of love. Its mission is to preserve and promote the history and culture of West Stockbridge, and it’s been a delight to watch it progress through many challenges. Now, the building hosts several music series, walks, talks and classes.
7. TurnPark Art Space Yet another new-ish neighbor in town, TurnPark Art Space, a sculpture park-plus, was masterminded by architects Alexander Konstantinov and Grigori Fateyev. Located on the site of a former quarry, the property’s natural features are a perfect backdrop to sculpture as well as performances and other events. Since its opening in May of 2017, the space has welcomed pop-up markets, food festivals, art workshops, children’s events, dance, theater, music and more.
8. The Farmers Market Held every Thursday from mid-May through the first week in October on The Green at the Foundry on Harris Street, the West Stockbridge Farmers Market offers freshly grown or lovingly made products from local farmers and small specialty companies, plus musical performers and activities for kids. “It’s a town party every week,” says one longtime West Stockbridge resident.
9. Baldwin Hardware A family-owned True Value hardware store that’s been operated in the same location by the Baldwin family for 150 years, Baldwin Hardware has been called the “essence of West Stockbridge.” Now run by fourth-generation Henry Baldwin, it’s where you go for not just your hardware needs, but also advice…and to hear what’s going on around town.
10. Musicians With so many BSO musicians who have summer homes in West Stockbridge, how wonderful it is that they make music right in town. The West Stockbridge Chamber Players perform at the Historical Society, as does the newly formed West Stockbridge Jazz Series. If you’d like to experience an exceptional, small town music series, get on their lists and buy tickets right away — these concerts almost always sell out quickly.
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