Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been sending out our annual appeal letter, and as the responses begin to come in, we just want to pause for a moment and say thank you. Truly. The generosity—both in donations and in kind messages—means a great deal to us.
One note in particular stayed with us. It came from a business along Court Street, gently pointing out (and quite rightly) that while we spend a lot of time celebrating Main Street and our historic downtown, we haven’t always given the same attention to the Route 7 corridor.
And they’re right.
There are reasons for that—our designation and much of our work is rooted in the historic downtown and Main Street—but it was a timely and thoughtful reminder that Middlebury doesn’t run on a few streets alone. So much of the day-to-day life of this town is supported by the businesses along Court Street and Route 7…places that keep us going in the most practical and essential ways.
So this feels like a good moment to pause, to acknowledge that, and to shine a little light in that direction—with appreciation.
Right at the top, there’s this incredible cluster of people doing important, everyday work—law offices like Deppman Law, Carroll, Boe & Kite, and Wagner Law, alongside essential services like Kinney Drugs, Tech Medic, Turning Point, Gather, Midd Town Dental and Rainbow Pediatrics, all the people you rely on when it really matters.
Then as you head further south, it shifts into that wonderfully practical rhythm of daily life—creative expression at the two Middlebury Studio Schools, Walgreens; grabbing a few essentials at Dollar Market, stopping by Hare & The Dog for festive beverages, down to Woodware & Vermont Maple Market, Drop Inn Brewing, Jean’s Place at Hope, G Stone Motors, Grapevine Grill, Route 7 South Sandwich Shop, A&W and the ever-famous Rosies!
And just tucked off the main stretch are some of those local businesses we are grateful for—Cole’s Flowers adding beauty to so many of life’s moments, The Little Pressroom helpfully printing all things Middlebury and beyond, and hairdressers Supercuts, Total Image, Solos, Moxie and Hair by Jasmine…
The wider Route 7 and Court Street corridor is home to a rich mix of everyday essentials, creative businesses, and vital services—together forming a hardworking, often unsung network that keeps Middlebury running smoothly day in and day out…
Additionally, look out for:
- Addison County Solid Waste Management District
- Woof Pack
- Desabrais Glass
- Middlebury Fitness 802
- Ravenworks Tattoo
- AT&T
- Quilter’s Corner
- Distinctive Paint & Interiors
- Hannaford
- Neat Repeats
- Middlebury Floral & Gifts
- Middlebury Sweets
- The Herbal Collective/Satori
- Stewart’s Shops
Next time you’re driving through, have a little look around…there’s a whole ecosystem of people and businesses making this town work, every single day. Court Street/Route Seven South is not flashy, it’s not always photographed—but it’s essential. This is where Middlebury gets things done.