Where else can one go these days to enjoy a good old fashioned soda fountain? In Chester Vermont, of course! Penny and I were taking a break from the work at Inn Victoria, a Chester Vermont Bed and Breakfast, and decided to check out what the buzz was in town about the new soda fountain at William Austin Antiques … just a quarter mile down the road from Inn Victoria.
We love wondering through the store, and more often than not we walk out with some new piece of Victorian furniture for the the Inn. This time we were greeted by the owner, Bill and his manager Jim, all adorn with a soda fountain hat, a big smile and offering a giant apple pie from Mountain Creamery in Woodstock, Vermont. Bill has an arrangement with Mountain Creamery to sell their yummy ice cream and apple pies. What a treat!
Take a close look at these photos; the Coca Cola signs, the old ice cream scooper, the Penny Candy sign, this will take you back a few years! Bill had all the pieces, bar stools, counter, mixers etc scattered throughout his store, for sale. His thought was to put them all together and create the small soda fountain. Several of our guests have enjoyed the experience and LOVE it!
The next time you are in Chester, Vermont…give William Austen Antiques a try! This is a first class antique emporium located in a quaint, picturesque New England town. Austin’s boasts Vermont’s largest selection of quality kitchens and family room pieces and the largest privately owned antique shop in Vermont, selling, buying and refinishing antiques since 1983.
Penny & Dan Cote
Owners, Inn Victoria, a Chester Vermont Bed and Breakfast
