hikrchick

Hikrguy and I are going up to Stowe, Vt. from northern New Jersey for a long weekend of hiking in mid-October. We've already got the hotel booked -- Commodores Inn, which seems just fine for our needs. Our first idea was going up to Quebec and when we talked it through we realized what we needed was to be out in the mountains, not in another city. We brainstormed Vermont, which is a lot less driving to get to, and then realized that all the ski areas must have hiking trails when there's no snow, and that's how we came up with Stowe. We are looking forward to being outside on our last big walk before the winter sets in.

I realized last week that King Arthur Flour is not too far away. This would be a really fabulous visit for me. For those who have been, can you tell me a little bit about visiting there? Do they carry all of the products or are most things only available on the website? (I prefer to shop in-person and actually see the items, which is why online shopping is not my first choice.) And would it be very crowded on Sunday (to stop on our way home) and would it be an easier visit to go on our way up to Stowe on Thursday morning?

thanks for any insight!

SusieQQ

I visited the store but since I've never bought on line from them, I can't tell you if they carry all the products. I will say that they had lots and lots of products so you will enjoy it.
They also have a café and bakery.
We went mid week and it was crowded but not overly so.

elberko

I think it's pretty much everything in the catalog. It's a really fun place to visit (some of us have taken classes there, too, and though they were really good), and the cafe is really good.

hikrchick

Thank you both very much -- I love all their stuff, and many of their products are kosher, which is what I need. I am really looking forward to going up and down every aisle and treating myself to some new spices (and whatever else might fall into my hands ...)

dfrostnh

Bring money! I was in elberko's baking class twice! Plus I went back on my own for another. The classes book up pretty quickly and I know you are going for hiking not inside stuff but I thought the instruction was great and a lot of fun. When you shop at the store, you will have the advantage of getting things that are heavy and not having to pay shipping although sometimes local supermarkets have all purpose flour on sale (Market Basket chain is best). What I did before my second visit, instead of wandering around bewildered (you get a 10% discount on purchases if you take a class), I went thru their recipes and decided what I wanted to make and made a shopping list. My list included a long covered clay baker (very heavy).

The store is large and between the café and classes, the parking lot might be full but not a lot of shoppers in the store. I've shopped on a Saturday morning and didn't think it was crowded.

Another fodorite came for the hiking. There's a section of the Appalachian trail nearby? To make your head really spin, visit on a Saturday so you can go to the Norwich Farmers Market down the road. The small farm stand between the two is also nice. Carries several unusual varieties of dried beans. Go to the farmers market with an appetite. There's some really good bakers there. Very festive with music. And you probably know Norwich is near Quechee which has a beautiful gorge. The farmers market might go to mid-October. I know you said Thursday or Sunday for a KA visit.