Downtown Bennington Alliance

08/19/2026

Another fun night of wine at Magnifico Home & Café Briette at the corner of North and River. Bring your friends and coworkers.

08/18/2026

The first of a few wine posts today. Mazel tov, Eva, on your promotion!

From Couch + cork owner Nancy Koziol: "Eva's meticulous attention to detail, ability to manage multiple events at various stages simultaneously, troubleshooting and problem-solving skills, and incredible work ethic make this the perfect fit."

Check out Couch + cork's website for virtual wine, food, and creative events: https://www.couchandcork.com/

We're thrilled to announce that Eva Capella has been promoted to the role of Director of Client Experience.

Eva's meticulous attention to detail, ability to manage multiple events at various stages simultaneously, troubleshooting and problem-solving skills, and incredible work ethic make this the perfect fit.

Thanks for all you do, Eva!

07/31/2026

Yesterday morning, Facebook Memories showed a photo I took on July 30, 2012: father and daughter (Shawn and Cherylynn) adoring each other on the front steps of their home on Elm Street. Probably my favorite shot of Benningtonians over the years.

Last night provided another special father-daughter moment as the remains of Private First Class Bernard Sweet came home to Bennington in what the Army calls a dignified transfer. Bernard went off to save the world in 1941 and soon became a prisoner of war. He survived the 65-mile Bataan Death March but got sick and died, buried in a mass grave. Modern science identified his remains and the United States government began the process of bringing Bernard home to Bennington. He arrived last night and the procession down Main Street was amazing to watch. Benningtonians far and wide showed up to line the streets to pay their respects to an American Hero.

Two of them were Joel Lentzner and his oldest daughter Addie. Addie, a recent Truman Scholar winner (the only winner from Vermont this year), stood on the front stoop of Fiddlehead at Four Corners art gallery to take photos of Bernard’s dignified return while her dad, who owns Fiddlehead, recorded a 3-minute video of the return from the third story of his building. This was another beautiful father-daughter moment on July 30 … 14 years to the day that Shawn and Cherylynn were captured in a forever moment in Bennington.

I attach Joel’s wonderful video of last night’s dignified return and add some of Addie’s excellent photos. Benningtonians showed up and came together in a beautiful way last night to honor a Benningtonian who served our country and sacrificed his life 80 years ago so that we may celebrate 250 years of freedom.

Thank you, Joel and Addie.

Thank you to all who organized Bernard’s dignified return.

Thank you, Bernard, and welcome back to Bennington, your eternal home.

Hug the ones you love.

07/31/2026

Welcome home, Private First Class Bernard Sweet. Thank you for your service to America and the world, and for your ultimate sacrifice. Now rest.

07/29/2026

Glen Hansard, who starred in the beautiful movie "Once" nearly 20 years ago, died in a motorcycle accident early this morning in Ireland. He was 56.

Once is a musical romance pairing Hansard and Markéta Irglová ... and a scene between them inside a music shop created one of those special moments that reinforces the power of cinema.

In the scene, Hansard (on guitar) and Irglova (on piano) sang the Falling Slowly, which won the Oscar for Best Original Song.

On October 4, 2013, Bennington College senior Ze'eva Berman brought her guitar to Fiddlehead at Four Corners art gallery to prepare for Arts Weekend.

I asked Ze'eva if she knew Falling Slowly. Yes, she said, and began to strum and sing the crushingly beautiful song.

Here is the official video for Falling Slowly: https://youtu.be/k8mtXwtapX4

"You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that you won"

07/25/2026

BLUEBERRY THRILLS AT THE APPLE BARN: Sarah Albright, owner if The Apple Barn and Country Bake Shop on Route 7 just a mile south of the Four Corners of Main Street Bennington, is giddy about today’s Blueberry Festival.

This week she posted …

🫐 One of my favorite parts of the Blueberry Festival isn’t just the blueberries. It’s the people.

This week, 35 local vendors have been busy putting the finishing touches on products they’ve dreamed up, created, stitched, poured, painted, carved, cooked, and crafted just for this weekend. Every booth represents someone’s passion, and I hope you’ll take the time to meet them and hear their stories.

Our food vendors have really leaned into the blueberry theme this year!

Bumbles Birria will be serving Blueberry Agua Fresca and Blueberry Dessert Tacos. Baby Cakes is bringing their popular “Patriot” pancakes with fresh blueberries, strawberry sauce, and whipped cream. Taste of Home will have homemade Blueberry Chutney, Squeeze the Juice Lemonade Stand will be serving Blueberry Lemonade, and we’re cooking up plenty of blueberry-inspired specials at the Apple Barn Concession Stand.

As you wander through the festival, keep an eye out for blueberry-themed creations from some incredibly talented local makers, including:

• Ardent Flame Candles – blueberry candles and wax melts
• Chimera Meats – Maple Blueberry dried beef
• Nick's Custom Creations – blueberry journals, earrings, and hair clips
• Olde Merl's Mead – their original Blueberry Charm mead
• Rockwood Studios – beautiful handmade berry bowls
• Sara's Craftables – blueberry temporary tattoos
• Simply Stitched with Stephanie – crocheted blueberries
• Smith Creations. – blueberry-themed coasters and shadow boxes
• Soul Blossom Body Arts Face Painting – blueberry-inspired designs
• Whistle Wing Prints – blueberry photo cards
• Wicked Sniffer – blueberry lychee soaps, sprays, and body products
• Lemon Flowers – blueberry-themed coasters
• LP7 Creations – paint-your-own plaster blueberries

And that’s only a small sampling. There will be so much to discover throughout the day.

I’m especially excited that we’re once again featuring our Junior Vendor Market. Some amazing young entrepreneurs will be showcasing businesses they’ve built themselves, and I hope you’ll stop by to encourage them. Watching these kids gain confidence while sharing something they’ve created is one of the best parts of the festival.

I truly can’t wait to see our farm filled with this much creativity, good food, great conversation, and community. I hope you’ll spend the day with us and help support so many small businesses that have worked incredibly hard to make this festival special.

Great job to Sarah and her crew. After you get your blueberry thrills, bring the family to Main Street’s mom and pop shops.

Apple Barn
Fiddlehead at Four Corners art gallery
Her Closet (dresses for any special occasion)
The Mill Store 1865
Recoupage
Hollister Appliance
Taste of Tradition
Bennington Family Eyecare
Bennington Theater
Bennington Museum
Paula's Weaving Workshop and Rock Shop
Jay's/Bennington Artisan Market
Bespoke Salon & Suite
Katie Cleaver
Bennington Bookshop
couch + cork (Wine Tasting)
Monument Vintage, Antiques & Collectibles
Gift Garden's Holiday Cottage
Gift Garden
Adams Lock & Security
Gamer's Grotto
Main Street Antiques
Glow Lounge Tanning Salon & Boutique
Knapp's
Belizimo Salon
Village Salon
Blumer's Barbershop
Scarlett Creation
Hair Cafe (next to Benner's)
Global Link Travel
Mount Anthony Country Club
Dollhouse & Toy Museum of Vermont
Balanced Health Care & Massage
The Bike Hub (mountain e-bikes for sale)
Vervana Hotel (formerly Paradise Inn)
Beverage Den
Clip Shop
Crae Printing
Inkspot Press
Papa Pete's
Island Flavor
Benner's
Ramunto's
Lucky Dragon
Bennington Pizza House
Madison's
Your Belly's Deli
Lil Britain
Henry's Market
Blue Benn
The Local & Co.
Harvest Brewing
Avocado Pit
Martin's Mini Mart
Kelli's Tavern
Sunny Side Diner
421 Craft Bar
Monument Arts & Cultural Center
Angry Egg 2
Miller's Toll
The Coffee Bar
South Shire, A Little Hotel
TAAN (Thai eatery inside South Shire)
Elm Street Market
Spice and Nice
Village Chocolate Shoppe
Buck Stop
Magnifico Home & Cafe Briette (formerly W. Collective)
Faller Music (Bruce repairs any instrument)
Posh Place Salon & Gifts
The Splash Pad
Union South (good food + pool tables)
The Bike Hub
DBA Kiosk on Main Street Bennington
Vermont Chef
Anytime Fitness
Revolution Gym
Donovan's/Ryan's ("best fried mozzarella sticks on Main Street" -- Nancy Koziol, owner of Couch + cork)
King's Knit Wit
Pearl's (eatery in former Village Garage)
K&J Discount Center (Benmont Mill)

07/19/2026

Part 2 of 2: Just like Elle from Elle’s cafe way up there in Regina Saskatchewan, Bennington Bookshop owner Phil Lewis and his staff have been posting fun promotional videos the last few months. Looking forward to seeing more of the Bookshop's creativity. Bennington Bookshop is Main Street Bennington's only independent bookshop, on South Street between The Coffee Bar and Jays Art Shop & Frame Gallery + Cards and Gifts/ Artisan Market. If Phil doesn't have the book in stock he'll order it online for you. Or, you can order it by clicking

07/19/2026

Part 1 to set up Part 2. Elle from Elle’s cafe in Regina Saskatchewan has become an internet sensation with her fun and funny promos. Elle's has gone through 2 tons of vanilla soft serve since her videos went viral. Her videos are part of the wave of the future. A business near the Four Corners of Main Street Bennington has begun implementing videos on their page. That's Part 2 ...

07/17/2026

SEEKING IDEAS FOR MIDNIGHT MADNESS IN 2027 AND BEYOND: Thank you Muggsy's Antiques & Collectibles of Bennington, VT - 435 & 473 Main Street for taking this photo of the Hemmings car show yesterday. Muggsy’s is one of the enduring mom and pop businesses and George and Ruth Ann Virtue feature over 1,000 pieces of vintage Bennington Pottery. And Thank you, Hemmings, for always putting on a great show. // So then, about the future … one idea worth exploring, with proper planning, is pushing the hours of the car show from 8 to 10 p.m. (and beyond) during Midnight Madness. This would keep folks on Main Street and create a true nighttime shopping experience with antique cars, live music (maybe even a dance floor), and shopping. Would love to hear your ideas on the future of Midnight Madness.