Audra and Michael Hughes are beyond excited to open their Vermont branch of Commodities Natural Market at 512 Mountain Road in Stowe, formerly the home of Oxygen yoga and pilates studio.
The shop will reflect the organic, natural sensibilities of their East Village store in New York City, with an emphasis on local products and produce, including items from their “wish list” that they can now carry in the Stowe store because of their small, hyper-local distribution areas, including products from Stowe Cider, Waitsfield’s Green Rabbit Bakery and Susanna’s Catering of Morrisville. Michael’s on the Hill will provide “grab-and-go” foods; Aqua Vitea kombucha and Rookie’s Root Beer will be available on tap.
The Hugheses are employing many Vermont distributors to stock the store, including the White River Junction-based specialty foods purveyor Provisions International.
"They came to my house," for a tasting because Audra couldn't arrange child care, she said. "It was like Hen of the Wood was in my kitchen!"
Other collaborations include a PK Coffee pop-up and a custom roast from Brave coffee, and Danielle Moffatt from Cork Wine Bar & Market will curate half of the wine selection. A visit earlier this week showed fully stocked shelves and freezers and cooling units being filled; there will be a decent-sized beer selection as well.
Other sections include kids’ products, organic snacks and specialty ingredients (hard-to-find oils, juices, superfoods, about 10 kinds of mostly Vermont honey), a wide variety of gluten-free and vegetarian products, local meats and cheeses (“We have 120 pounds of cheese to cut!” said Audra) and natural health and beauty aids.
The bulk section features more than 300 bins of grains, flours, beans and other dry goods, priced competitively and affordably, the Hugheses emphasized. The store will accept 3SquaresVT and EBT cards.
Commodities fully intends to become a member of the Vermont Fresh Network as well, said Audra, but "we have to be open first!"
"We are so proud and so happy," said Audra of the new store. "We want to work with everyone in the community to do as many fun things as possible."
The store will open Friday, Jan. 30, at 8 a.m.
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