on location: northeast ❖
kari kamin
Ant quing IN CONNECTICUT
P
ostcards and keychains are great kitschy souvenirs, but before you know it they’re
cluttering your junk drawer. On your next swing through New England, visit Connecticut to peruse the charming, often elegant antique stores that
Make time for shopping in historic towns on itineraries in Southern New England
grim, 18th and early 19th century Americana as well as other works of art and craftsmanship. Schwenke (schwenke.com) and Country Loft Antiques (countryloftantiques.com) are also premium Woodbury shops worth a look. In business for over 40 years,
are peppered throughout the Constitu-
and around Main Street. For a look at
Schwenke uses that experience to cre-
tion State. Whether seeking the perfect
what’s available, check the website of
ate historically-accurate replicas of Amer-
piece to accent a room or just needing a
the Woodbury Antiques Dealers Associ-
ican Federal furniture. Country Loft
timeless gift, you’ll have plenty to choose
ation (antiqueswoodbury.com).
Antiques and its proprietor, Carole Winer,
from in the state’s many antique stores.
Woodbury’s Mill House Antiques and
have been featured in numerous publi-
Even if you’re not there to buy, it’s just fun
Gardens
to browse through old things and wax
specializes in 18th and 19th century an-
Not every antique belongs on the
nostalgic.
tiques, and also offers custom-crafted
wall or displayed in a room. Litchfield’s
(millhouseantiques-ct.com)
cations, including The New York Times.
Woodbury, nestled in the scenic hills
furniture. It’s easy to get lost in one of the
Lawrence
of Litchfield County, is the “Antiques
store’s 17 showrooms. Wayne Mattox
(lawrencejeffrey.com) has a wide selec-
Capital of Connecticut.” Located on the
Antiques and Auctions (antiquetalk.com)
tion of antique and fine estate jewelry.
state’s western side, about 75 miles from
is owned by a second-generation an-
Impress your friends and family with
New York City, it has more than 30 pro-
tiques enthusiast and shop owner. You’ll
a beautiful brooch or
fessional dealers offering virtually all cat-
find pieces like trade signs, paintings,
Jeffrey Tillou Antiques (tillouantiques-
egories, periods and styles of antiques.
prints and furniture.
.com), also in Litchfield, has collected
Jeffrey
Estate
Jewelers
set of pearls.
The town’s reputation began some 50
If that doesn’t trip your trigger, head
such pieces as a Queen Anne armchair,
years ago when dealers established
over to Pantry and Hearth (pantryand-
Federal mirrors and Chippendale chests.
their businesses in historic houses on
hearth.com). This shop specializes in Pil-
Other great antiquing towns in North-
Western Connecticut CVB Photos
Mill House Antiques (left) and Wayne Mattox Antiques are among the distinguished purveyors in Woodbury, the “Antiques Capital of Connecticut.”
34 February 2012
LeisureGroupTravel.com
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: For a look at top tour sights in Southeastern Connecticut, view the article at http://leisuregrouptravel.com/?p=26242.
Folk art collectors find treasures at Pantry and Hearth at the 1775 Barn in Woodbury.
Take in the beauty of Connecticut at Loon
1745. Woodbury’s Longwood Country
Meadow Farm (loonmeadowfarm.com)
Inn (longwoodcountryinn.com), built in
in Norfolk, near the Massachusetts bor-
1789, features a restaurant filled with
der. Open year-round, the farm prepares
18th century antiques.
for every season, offering carriage, hay
Bring your appetite to Old Heidel-
or sleigh rides through the grounds. The
berg’s (restaurantheidelberg.com) in
Palace Theater (palacetheaterct.org), a
Bethel, a German spot whose menu
performing arts center in Waterbury, is an
boasts a variety of schnitzel, wurst and
excellent place to wind down after a day
other hearty dishes. If pasta is what you
of antique shopping. Infinity Hall and
crave, there’s no better place than Wa-
Bistro in Norfolk (infinityhall.com) is an-
terbury’s San Marino’s Ristorante (san-
other great place for live entertainment.
marinos.com). It’s less than a mile from
It’s no secret that Connecticut’s Litch-
the Palace Theater.
field Hills is home to dozens of beautiful
Combined with fun, food and history,
Hills
inns, many of which have restaurants
antiques shopping in Western Connecti-
include Seymour, Kent, Newtown and
attached. Listed in the National Register
cut is a bright idea for any tour planner
Ridgefield. For a detailed list of antiques
of Historic Places as Captain William
looking for a winning itinerary in South-
shops and other attractions in the Litch-
Bull Tavern, Tollgate Hill Inn & Restau-
ern New England. LGT
field Hills, visit the website of the West-
rant (tollgatehill.com) serves up burgers,
ern Connecticut CVB. (litchfieldhills.com)
salads and fish dishes. This Litchfield es-
Southwestern Connecticut’s West-
tablishment has been around since
west
Connecticut’s
Litchfield
Obtain Connecticut visitor guides and itineraries and contact group-friendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info
port is home to Leonce Antiques (leonceantiques.com). As well as selling antique furniture and lighting, Leonce Antiques has an extensive collection of early American sterling silver flatware and Holloware in the store’s 10,000 square feet of showroom and storage. You’ll need plenty of sustenance to make it from shop to shop. Stop in at Bel-
Your Journey Begins
18,000 Years Ago
gique Chocolatier (belgiqueonline.com) in New Canaan, a short drive from West-
AT THE MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT MUSEUM
port. This Belgian artisan chocolate shop
The world’s largest, award-winning Native American museum, located in beautiful southeastern Connecticut.
sells an assortment of handmade chocolates, conveniently sold by weight so customers can buy a quick snack or save
• • • •
Life-size 16th c. Pequot village 4 acres of interactive exhibits Guided tours Educational programs and craft workshops • 18-story observation tower • Libraries, gift shop, restaurant
several for later. If your sweet tooth still isn’t satisfied, Lamothe’s Sugar House (lamothesugarhouse.com) in Burlington has a gift shop offering their house-made maple goodies. After you stocked up on maple syrup and native honey, take a tour of the grounds. Group tours are available by appointment. Once you’re ready for some nonshopping fun, head to Hopkins Vineyard (hopkinsvineyard.com) in Warren for a
Open Wednesday through Saturday, 9 am–5 pm, last admission at 4 pm. 110 Pequot Trail, Mashantucket, CT 06338 www.pequotmuseum.org
Group rates: contact Kathy at (860) 396-6839 or kdavis@mptn-nsn.gov
tour of the winery and a wine tasting. LeisureGroupTravel.com
February 2012 35