By Andra Moss
Photo by Peter Chaffetz

Norfolk’s own Berkshire Country Store is growing. Owner Ryan Craig has expanded his popular Norfolk location with the addition of the Berkshire Country Cafe on Main Street in North Canaan, serving breakfast and lunch Thursday through Sunday.

But don’t worry, his four-year-old enterprise in Norfolk isn’t going anywhere. In fact, Craig says, “Part of the reasoning behind the expansion is to ensure that we can continue to operate in Norfolk, to find a way to make a small store in a small community sustainable.” 

Recalling the late summer electrical outage that came on top of the pandemic, Craig is grateful for the power of community: “The town of Norfolk really supported us. Some folks came through the door every single day. Norfolk is passionate about having a store, and so am I.” 

A second location offers enhanced buying power and shared labor between sites. Craig is proud of his employees, who backed his Covid-era opening 100 percent. “They really take care of my customers. It allows me to step back and do what it takes to grow the business.”

In Canaan, his team has transformed the former Pop’s Diner into a sunny space to gather, greet friends and enjoy a good meal. A single, large main room now sports fresh white walls, vintage lighting, warm wooden floors and a high tin ceiling. Historic photos of Canaan line the walls. Tables in the two front windows are the perfect place to linger over a cup of coffee (locally roasted Coffee-Tea-Etc. from Craig’s hometown of Goshen).

With a bevy of new businesses along Main and Railroad Streets, Craig sees plenty of opportunity ahead. “Canaan has been really welcoming, and they have a good-sized small business community that is really robust. I look forward to a very collaborative experience here.” 

Even in the midst of shut-downs and slow-downs, Canaan is experiencing a retail revitalization. In addition to Berkshire Country Café, you will find some other new faces in town.

Old New England Market is located at 93 Main Street. Business and life partners Ann Talmadge and Mike Reagan started with a soft opening on Sept. 1 and have been growing ever since. Originally from western Massachusetts, the pair bought a home in Canaan four years ago and were active in the local antique and flea market scene. When a Main Street storefront became available, they realized that with their “very supportive landlord, it would just make sense to set up shop downtown.” They’re off to a great start in two treasure-filled rooms of charming and well-priced vintage, antique, repurposed and handcrafted items for the home. 

Jesse Morey has moved his Artisan Shop west on Route 44 to a larger shop at 6 Main Street, allowing him the space to showcase his stunning woodwork, ranging from live-edge and wood slab dining and side tables to handcrafted cheese boards, trays and other locally sourced wood and iron pieces. Morey focuses on reusing materials and bringing out the natural beauty in every piece of wood he handles. Adding in unique offerings from a selection of local artisans, he has assembled a collection of goods for the home and the soul.

Friends and business partners Linda Erwin of Falls Village and Nancy Rand of Sharon opened their vintage goods shop, Clover, on Sept. 15 as a pop-up in the former auto dealership at 32 Railroad Street. “We wanted to do something totally new for us,” said Erwin. “I was a nurse for 33 years and Nancy was in advertising.” The duo has paired their eye for quality antiques and talent for display into a beautiful, light-filled “vintage industrial” space. They started with one front room when the landlord first renovated. “When he asked if we wanted to expand, it was a no-brainer,” they said. “Now we do a mix. The front showroom is retail antiques. The backroom we call the ‘warehouse’ and run it more like a flea garage space. Other dealers come here. If you look, you can really find some great pieces.”

Sharing space behind Clover are two shops that recently made the jump from Torrington to Canaan. Proprietor Scott Price describes Stuart’s Treasures as a little bit of everything, including minerals, jewelry, antiques and the odd oddity. Shawn Britton brings his fly-tying skills to Bootrout (@Bootrout), which will soon host classes in the art of tying, as well as displays of fishing-themed artwork. 

More great shops may also be coming soon. Word is that The Vault, a shop with collectibles and antiques, may soon open along Main Street, and a banner at 14 Railroad Street proclaims that Industry Kitchen & Bar is due to arrive this spring.