2 Center Street, Rutland, VT
I went to college in Bennington, Vermont, and even back then my image of the landscape between Bennington and Burlington up in the north contained only quaint villages, forested hollows, and ski resorts. In truth there are a number of interesting bastions of literary interest in between, including Rutland.
A smaller tucked-away city, it was quiet on a Saturday afternoon in the late summer when I walked around. Many of the buildings downtown retained their early-twentieth century charm, including the one that houses Phoenix Books, with a gorgeous dark marble exterior. Phoenix has another shop up in Burlington I visited during the pandemic, but I was delighted to find this one has the same appeal and diverse offerings.
The shop covers a lot of ground in one room. The large children’s section impressed me with plenty of picture books, gifts, educational toys, YA, chapter books, etc., a really solid offering for the whole range of readers. I picked up a picture book about raising pumpkins for my niece and nephew, who were doing that very thing for the first time. The fiction section is also very strong, covering classics and a lot of great new bestsellers. The horror section stood out, which is great to see, and there was a cool display highlighting the very wide array of romance books and the many subgenres they touch.
And of course there are sections for biography, politics, poetry, travel, local Vermont goodness, and a discount shelf in the rear. I really like seeing when bookstores that focus on new books give you a discount section. There are stacks of discount books in the front entryway too. You love to see it. Street parking is plentiful with some good food options nearby including a brewery (it is Vermont after all) and Mexican (not bad for the northeast).
After our visit we drove out to a nearby rodeo up in the hills and had a blast, literally our first rodeo. Who knew there’s be so many cowboys and bull riders in New England. It reminded me that Vermont has so much to offer that you may not expect. So when you next pass through, drop in to Phoenix and grab a new book. You’ll be surprised by what you find.
Atmosphere — A well-curated and bright shop with unique displays, seasonal offerings, and lots of children’s and fiction titles.
Quality — The books are new and of high quality.
Quantity — For the space they have, a fair amount to sort through. Nothing too cluttered, but well-organized and arrayed nicely.
Diversity — This shop hits most of the usual categories, with plenty of fiction, children’s, history, and a nice selection of new romance, horror, sci-fi/fantasy, etc. Nice to see genre fiction getting its due.
Affordability — The books were all very fairly priced for new books with a handful of discount shelves, some as much as half off.
Amenities — There are a couple chairs, plenty of items beyond books like a wall of puzzles, rows of cards, racks of shirts, loads of gifts, etc. Cafes are nearby. Otherwise, you’re there to browse.
Location — Downtown on Center Street, not far from a large Walmart strip-mall, but you wouldn’t know it standing in front of Phoenix. It feels like you’re surrounded by the small city’s golden age shopping district.
Customer Service — There were a couple staffers working diligently, and they were polite checking us out.
Overall — This Phoenix Books location upholds the Phoenix reputation for excellent books displayed and curated with care, in a welcoming, organized atmosphere. It’s a wondering area of Vermont and you’ll be happy you made the excursion. Drop in and browse!
