Sugarbush Lane Mercantile in Historic Charlton NY

 It sounds like something out of a storybook and Sugarbush Lane Mercantile is filled with everything big girl fantasies are made of.

I've been seeing glimpses of Sugarbush Lane Mercantile on Instagram for a while now, but it wasn't until an impromptu visit this afternoon that I got to experience it for myself.  I wasn't even inside the door yet when I knew I had to share it on the blog.  It wasn't just because I love being able to spread the word about new local businesses, although I do enjoy that, it was because the glimpses I'd seen were only the tip of the wonderland.

Carrie Shea has done what all the best shop owners do - she managed to fill a one-room space with so much curated beauty, every one of your senses will perk up and come alive.  The entire space - what was once the formal living room in this 1790's home - is packed full with a perfect mix of vintage and new merchandise, all arranged so beautifully, so artfully, yet so down-to-earth homey that it feels like the pages of the best magazines.  Carrie and her husband bought this home a couple years ago, and while Carrie dreamt of one day owning a shop, she didn't plan on that shop being in her home.  As sometimes happens in life...opportunity came knocking, and Carrie's formal living room was transformed into a charming retail space.  As if it were always meant to be, a mercantile was born in the heart of Charlton, NY.  They opened their doors this past June.

In Carrie's own words,  "Our family-owned mercantile is built on a traditional foundation of living with intention and offering quality goods that will stand the test of time.  At Sugarbush Lane we honor the past through our heirloom antique and vintage pieces while incorporating everyday essentials inspired by our surroundings. Our small shop is a nod to the historic general farm store mercantile of days past that offered a variety of home goods to the community. Each carefully curated offering intends to bring beauty into everyday utility and functionality in the home. We are rooted in conscious and sustainable values and are devoted to making a positive impact for future generations."  I think when you see the photos, you'll agree Sugarbush Lane Mercantile is exactly all that!

This photo below, with a narrow ray of sun shining directly on the honeybee and honey, seemed to be the ideal illustration of the way everything in the Mercantile just feels perfectly curated, yet down-to-earth enough to fit into anyone's home - even if it isn't a 1790 farmhouse as beautiful as this one. On this sunny afternoon, even the rays of sunlight did their part in adding just the right warm glow to this already charming shop.

Speaking of the house....Can you even get over this entry?  This mural features Charlton in simpler times (the Mercantile to the left of the church below).  

If you haven't already, make a plan to visit Sugarbush Lane Mercantile soon.  It is located at 2022 Maple Avenue in Charlton NY, just north of the Charlton Historical Society Museum.  While you're there, have lunch at the beautiful Charlton Tavern, another great piece of Charlton history.  The Mercantile is open Fridays 3:00-6:00pm, Saturday 11:00-5:00 and Sunday 12:00-5:00.  For more information and to follow them on social media:  

Sugarbush Lane Mercantile Facebook

@sugarbushlanemerc

sugarbushlane.com

Thank you, Carrie, for your time and hospitality and for sharing yourself and your shop with us!  It's a pleasure to be able to share the Mercantile with my readers.  I can't wait to come back!  But I know everyone must say that.  For those who are wondering, I did not leave empty handed.  You probably won't either ;)

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It Doesn't Get Much Sweeter Than The Bittersweet Farm Mercantile

 Some of the best treasures are the ones that take a little effort to discover and that's true about the one I'm sharing today.  Located in West Burlington, NY, the Bittersweet Farm Mercantile, was definitely worth the extra miles we drove both the first time we visited and the second too!

West Burlington is a hamlet of the town of Burlington, NY which is about 16 miles west of Cooperstown.  One might not expect a rural town that is 45 square miles and a population of only 1,140 people to have such a fine gift shop, but oh, they would be so wrong.  If you're reading this thinking I've lost my marbles to be driving an hour and fifty minutes to visit a gift shop, by the end of this blog you'll understand why I did.   

First of all the ride from the Capital District is so easy and so scenic -  through rural landscapes far and wide.  We took Route 20 from Duanesburg and then a variety of rural back roads that were suggested by the GPS.  I knew after our first visit that we'd be coming back and thanks to the lure of social media posts, it didn't take much to get me back.

Debbie Hamm, the shop owner, began her journey thanks to a love of crafting, an appreciation for pretty things and a knack for design.  A couple small shops preceded the current Bittersweet Farm Mercantile which makes its home in what was previously a roller skating arena.  Now the building houses several businesses including a hair salon, a nail salon, a tanning salon, a chiropractor and even a country deli.  

Debbie's husband, Rod, used his contractor skills to build the shop and her sister Joyce, who we met on our first visit, also helps out when she's able.  Debbie tries to incorporate many of their handmade items as well as unique one-of-a-kind finds to make the shop different from the competition.  They hope to inspire decorating ideas with their displays and inspire creativity with their classes.  The Mercantile offers classes in needle punch and crafting with IOD. Iron Orchid Designs sells a high quality line of transfers, moulds, and stamps that can be used separately or together to make beautiful decorative pieces for your home.   She is a distributor of supplies for both needle punching and IOD.  Check out their Facebook page for examples of all of these products: https://www.facebook.com/bittersweetfarm.mercantile  

Needle Punch Patterns

IOD Supplies

So, want to see more?  I know you do!  

That covered bridge picture though.....how did I resist that???

Wow, right? And if you're wondering, I did not come home empty handed. I may have to reconsider my blog byline, Collecting Moments Not Things. I seem to be on a roll collection things lately! Like other small, family owned shops like Bittersweet that we've featured here on the blog, Debbie and Joyce are so friendly and welcoming. Debbie says they try to be a happy place in the midst of the hard times in the world we are living in. I can vouch that they are definitely a bright spot in the darkness we are often surrounded by today. We were excited to take advantage of the take-out deli next door, Sister Sammy's, on both of our visits and I can tell you - the food is fresh and delicious! Sister Sammy's Facebook Page

If you find yourself near the Cooperstown area, or are looking for a great day trip, I strongly urge you to head to West Burlington and pay a visit to the Bittersweet Farm Mercantile.  I can't wait to go back, but I might be a little grateful that this gem of a shop isn't too close to home, if you know what I mean.  Bittersweet Farm is located at 2353 State Route 80.  They are open Wednesday through Friday, 10:00-5:00 and Saturdays 10:00-4:00.  Tell them I sent you.  

Thanks for visiting Life As I See It.  To read about more great shops like this one, check out my blog Directory under the Category: Let's Shop.

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