LUDLOW, Vt. – On Thursday, Aug. 27, just past noon, a celebratory announcement was posted on the Facebook page of The Shop on Main Street, a new vendor-collaborative storefront on Main Street in downtown Ludlow.
“Love Thursdays!” the post exclaimed. “Fresh drop from Little Sprouts Bakery!”
The accompanying photo showed the fresh items delivered: a variety of sourdough focaccia mini-breads with flavors like pepperoni pizza, mozzarella pesto garlic, and cinnamon roll; loaves of original-recipe sourdough bread – cheddar jalapeno, and garlic and herb; and Little Sprouts’ “famous” chocolate chip cookies, a local favorite.
That delicious haul represents just one of the vendors you can find at The Shop on Main, the postretirement project of husband-and-wife team and longtime Ludlow residents Paula and Dave VanGuilder, along with their business partner Mike Loffredo.
If the VanGuilder name sounds familiar, as it does to most locals, you might already be a fan of Dave’s hot sauce that he sells through the company 802 Heat at local farmers markets and festivals. Dave started 802 Heat four years ago and has since expanded the product line to include a slew of fun flavors, dry rubs, Bloody Mary mix, and the most recent recipe, Hillside Acres Fire Cider. Made with apple cider vinegar, oranges, grapefruits, cranberries, Vermont honey, horseradish, habaneros, ginger, garlic, white onions, and turmeric, this original take on an old farmer’s health remedy is purported to boost immunity and promote better digestion and blood flow. Surely, it will add a pep to your step.
Of course, 802 Heat products have their own display at The Shop on Main, alongside other local businesses Sweethearts Farm Stand, Loffredo’s Italian Bakery, Winterview Farm, You’re Grounded Coffee Co., and more. The inventory also includes creations from local artists and crafters, pickled items, maple syrup, flower arrangements, and pet products. Paula puts together gift baskets and charcuterie boards.
Down the road, Dave said, they plan to expand the shop to include different types of vendors, more local food options, and Vermont cheeses.
It was Paula who dreamed of owning a store one day, and Dave called the shop “her baby.” She even came across an old gumball machine 10 or 11 years ago and bought it.
Paula recalled that at the time Dave said, “What in the world are we going to do with a gumball machine?” But Paula knew.
The gumball machine sat in the VanGuilders’ basement since then. When the cozy retail space at 196 Main Street became available to rent, Paula said to Dave, “Okay, now you can take that thing out of the basement.”
Paula enjoys that the old-timey machine sits dead center of the shop’s front window and brings in 8-year-olds and 80-year-olds alike.
Dave grew up in Ludlow and spent 33 years working for the town, including eight years serving on the development review board. Dave feels a strong sense of loyalty to his hometown, and, as it turns out, he was ready to retire from public service, but not from serving the public.
“I recently bought a T-shirt,” Dave shared. “It says ‘I tried to retire but now I work for my wife.’”
The Shop on Main hours will vary by season and holidays. Currently, Paula is open Thursday-Sunday, but that will change as we head into the winter ski season.
Paula is always happy to chat with folks who stop by, and the atmosphere of the little store is cheerful and familiar. Discovering so many local entrepreneurs and being able to buy from them all in one space is convenient, and it feels fun to be ‘in the know’ about so many local products, gifts, and treats.
Follow The Shop on Main Street on Facebook for updates and stop in to visit and pick up a gumball; they are just 25 cents.