“What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. …where we start from.” T. S. Eliot

Explore. Expand. Decide. Try. Choose.

A loose-knit trail of delights, begin.

Thank you, Irma, for being so gracious.A fellow veteran, Bostie lover, met while out wandering in an old cemetery where repairs and maintenance were being done. Her recommendation for lunch turned into another find (more about that in another story).

Theme: One-of-a-kind places where you will feel most welcome. And likely will leave smiling, inspired, creativity boosted. People met along the way doing research, sharing history. Shops discovered because of conversations in the most unlikely places.

The former Johnny’s Drive-in. The building has had several incarnations. Once it was beloved Huxley’s Cafe (which is still nearby, a great place to eat, meet). Now it is home to Timeless Consignment on East Main Street, Meriden, CT–where you can wander through collectibles, kitchenware, baseball cards… and look up to see the ceilings (original?) and remember life lived along the way. The great gathering of useful things cannot be described, just go and look (closed Mondays):

Across town is Tesoro Artisan Gift Boutique & Gallery (closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday) on Hanover Road, Meriden, in the former Fair Weather Antiques building (the late Alan Weatherbee and his vast knowledge of books and Meriden history did business here for years). Tesoro once was located in the north end of Middletown (pre-COVID). So wonderful to visit, see the art, artisans work, collections–treasures here (including the people) are wonderful.

Sidetrip. Fantastic pizza created by The Little Rendezvous, Pratt Street, Meriden–on pause (see FB for updates). The heart of Pratt Street, oh how wonderful it would be to someday see a collective of shops, arts, antiques, stuff in dealer stalls inside the nearby former New Departure building. Coffeeshop in the back smaller separate structure. Walkways and connected to the Central Connecticut Loop Trail (study linked here). “The Lower Connecticut River Valley (aka RiverCOG) studied the feasibility of developing a critical segment of multi-use trail loop through Middletown and Portland. Potentially linking the current end of the Airline Trail (ALT) in Cobalt with the Farmington Canal (FCT) Heritage Trail in Cheshire, a future trail would incorporate the Arrigoni Bridge, the Mattabesset Trolley Trail system in Middletown, and the Quinnipiac Trail in Meriden.
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“…to look for opportunities to close a portion of the Central CT Loop between the ALT and the FCT (see highlighted segment in the map below), with emphasis on the route throughout Middletown and Portland. In total, the 111-mile-long Loop trail is intended to run primarily off road and utilize the Airline Trail, the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, the Charter Oak Greenway, and the Hop River Trail. It would link Middletown with Meriden, Southington, Plainville, Simsbury, Hartford, Manchester, Willimantic, East Hampton, and many other communities.”

Then there is Revive Art & Craft Supply, William Street, Middletown, CT– is a women-owned, LGBTQ+ friendly art and craft thrift store in Middletown, CT. They collect donated supplies—such as fabric, yarn, buttons, paints, and more—and revive them by reselling them to local creatives at affordable prices. A delight to walk in and so many idea sparkers.

William Street, Middletown, CT.

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— Moo Dog Press (@moodogpress.com) November 7, 2025 at 1:42 PM

About to bloom into being, Forest City Merchants, Middletown.

Reboot Eco, 131 River Rd., Middletown (My late sister loved this shop.)

When this riverfront area becomes fully fledged–bikes, people walking, paths, homes, marina, boat slips. You’ll see.

Meanwhile, beeline to this wonderful shop and connect to a welcoming community. Reboot Eco is a zero waste and refill shop. (Try the air spritzers, body mists for a pick me up.) There are scents, bug sprays, balm, composters. Well, wander in and ask about what you like. Pet products too. If you like clean fresh, luscious scents, this is the place to find them.

The refill station offers bulk alternatives for household cleaners and bath products. Also CT brands, repair days to fix things you own rather than toss them, swap days.

A recent Sunday drive/adventure included a stop in Brattleboro–where Brattleboro Bookstore has re-opened at its new Main Street location (weekends only for now).

Re-opening for The Little Rendezvous: Nov. 22, 2025.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated.