Expanding Their Offerings

Old-School Store, New-World Vibe

Optimistic and pragmatic by nature, the intrepid entrepreneurs spent the next three months converting the space into the new Quechee General Store. They widened the aisles, rejiggered the interior, and started to order inventory that meshed with their commitment to small-batch, local (Vermont and New England), top-quality products. “Our goal is to celebrate Vermont artisanal goods,” Angela Moore says. “We see ourselves as an old-school general store with a new-world vibe.” Quechee General Store (QGS) opened softly in June 2020 and has been going strong ever since. “We offer some of the lowest prices in the area, and that brings in locals as well as tourists,” Angela notes. “People really appreciate the selection, price, and value. We’re a one-stop shopping destination!”  In addition to the full lineup of mouthwatering Cabot cheeses, butter, spreads, and dips, QGS carries artisanal cheese from Vermont’s acclaimed fromagers. The store has quickly become a local food lovers’ paradise, shelves stocked with maple syrups, honey, jams, hot sauces, cocoas, pancake and muffin mixes, crackers and popcorn, and pickled goods from Vermont’s top producers. “We do a lot of private-label house products, including our QGS coffee that comes from Abracadabra in Pomfret,” Angela explains. And since one cannot live exclusively on cheese and crackers, QGS offers a rotating mix of seasonal Vermont craft beer, hard cider, and wines. Putney Winery maintains a small tasting booth adjacent to the entrance where visitors can enjoy free samples. On selected Saturday afternoons this summer, QGS will offer tastings of maple syrup, cheese, jams, and popcorn.  Throughout the spacious store, Angela has added Mary Meyer stuffed animals, White Mountain jigsaw puzzles, clothing and accessories, and home accents including colorful dish towels, whimsical cookie cutters by Vermont artist Ann Clark, and handsome polished granite cutting boards from Barre. “Every week, we have farmers, small-batch producers, and craftspeople deliver goods directly to the store,” Angela says. “It’s fun for us to meet them and for them to see how their goods are displayed.”

A Bit of Backstory

Both Cindy and Angela come from corporate backgrounds. Cindy managed telecommunication firms in New England while Angela had extensive experience in marketing, design, and retail management. Angela also created her eponymous collection of hand-painted jewelry, resort fashions, and home accents. Both loved Vermont and threw themselves wholeheartedly into running the contiguous businesses. “With both of us coming from corporate backgrounds, we understood the importance of roles and goals,” Angela explains. “So we decided that Cindy would order and oversee the Cabot collection, and I would manage the other artisanal cheeses and additional products in the store. Cindy handles the operational side of QGS, and I manage the purchasing, merchandising, website, special events, and staff. I cross over to VAM to help with special-event planning, marketing, and eblasts. We both love this integrated approach to operating these two businesses.” Cindy adds, “I love the dichotomy of running a funky antique mall and a traditional retail establishment. The two places couldn’t be more different, but Angela and I enjoy developing relationships with our vendors, dealers, and customers. It’s all about creating a welcoming and engaging experience for people to enjoy. In both places, you never know what you may find, and new products arrive all the time. That keeps it fun for everyone!”