Barre Tobacco and Beer Shop Opens in Former Boisvert Spot
BARRE — In mid-April, Ankit Patel opened the Barre Tobacco and Beer Shop at the 200 North Main Street space that had been occupied for decades by Boisvert’s Shoe Repair, next door…
Morse Block Deli Committed to Local Foods
BARRE — Stefano Coppola emerged from the kitchen behind the main room of the Morse Block Deli, where, apron clad, he spent the morning…
New Community Mental Health Center Planned for Montpelier
Washington County Mental Health Services plans to consolidate services, offering crisis care, intensive treatment and outpatient therapy. by Erin Petenko Multiple mental health organizations announced…
Shoes, Curry, and a Workout: New Businesses Coming to Montpelier
Several new businesses will be opening their doors in downtown Montpelier soon, filling some long vacant spaces and bringing new foods, goods, and services…
Holding the Line at Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks
By Alexa Gaskill, via Community News Service, a University of Vermont internship As a child, Jake Shattuck would walk through the woods to his…
The Unofficial Small Business Mascots of Barre and Montpelier
Downtown Montpelier’s Aubuchon Ace Hardware has two team members who hardly leave the store. Known as Almond and Joy, the duo can be found…
Montpelier’s Leader of the Pack is Building a Revolution
From herding and guiding to detection and security — dogs have played an essential role in human civilization for thousands of years. Now, a…
A Farmer Breeds Seeds to Withstand Vermont’s Unpredictable Weather
By Indi Rose, via Community News Service, a University of Vermont internship. In a state better known for maples than melons, one farmer is…
Secret Service Comes to Central Vermont to Educate Businesses About Skimming Fraud
By Gina Tron The United States Secret Service is coming to central Vermont this week to combat skimming. From Tuesday, March 17, until Thursday,…
Massage Shops Under Scrutiny: Reports and Online Reviews Raise Concerns About Illicit Activity
Two massage parlors that reportedly offer or have offered sexual services to male customers have been operating in Montpelier, one as a “spa” for…
Illicit Massage Parlors Could Be Shut Down If House Bill Is Enacted, Law Enforcement Says
“Human Trafficking — Illicit Massage Parlors” was the title of a slide deck that State Police Human Trafficking Coordinator Lt. Michael Studin presented to…
Community and Business News in Brief, Mar. 4, 2026
2026 Great Green Mountain Bob Dylan Wannabe Contest The People’s Health and Wellness Clinic (PHWC) has announced the 2026 Great Green Mountain Bob Dylan…
Breakfast in Barre
Back in 2022, The Bridge surveyed breakfast options throughout central Vermont, but this time around, we’re focusing solely on Barre to see what early…
Vermont’s largest health insurer tells you to avoid the state’s largest hospital in new marketing campaign
Why is healthcare so expensive in Vermont? BlueCross BlueShield says it’s, in part, the sheer cost of services from the biggest hospitals. From VTDigger,…
What Happened to the Ski-and-Skate Sale?
Montpelier’s traditional fall Ski-and-Skate Sale was not held this year or last year because of staffing shortages in the city’s Community Services Department and…
Community and Business News in Brief, Dec. 17, 2025
Montpelier Featured in AARP Video Series The city of Montpelier has been selected as the inaugural feature in AARP’s new “Great Places to Live”…
Montpelier Made: Teenage Entrepreneurs Learn How to Create Start Ups
Jason Miles is giving his co-workers an overview of their company’s progress. “We could have asked for more for the coasters,” he says. Fifteen-year-old…
Fresh Seafood Coming to Montpelier Soon
Central Vermont will soon have a new market option for fresh seafood with the arrival of State Street Seafood and Meat, at 146 State…
The Bridge’s 2025 Gift Guide
Readers, contributors, and board members of The Bridge have weighed in and found a wide array of gift ideas right here in our backyards.…
Montpelier Celebrates Small Business Saturday with Music, Carriage Rides, Sales, and More
Shoppers showed up wearing flannel to downtown Montpelier’s “Flannel Friday,” a day of discounts and supporting local businesses organized by Montpelier Alive on Friday,…
Former Walgreens Building Sold to Lucky Boardman; Apartments Planned, Property Tax Stabilization Sought
The former Walgreens Pharmacy building at 29 Main Street in Montpelier was sold in September by Bigglestone Investments to Main Street Apts, LLC, and…