BRATTLEBORO-Local events help make a town feel alive. They give people something to look forward to, and they give small businesses a chance to connect with the community in ways we normally don't get to.
We at Thrifting New England believe in the importance of those connections. That's why we are so appreciative of the opportunity to participate in the Brattleboro Festival of Miniatures.
In the four years since we've opened, it's the first time we've had an opportunity to be part of a larger town-wide event, and we are excited for it.
Most of Brattleboro's local events tend to focus on certain neighborhoods or industries. It makes sense on some levels, but also means that small businesses, especially smaller or newer ones tucked out of the way, aren't always able to be part of the celebration.
Being invited to join in the festival inspired us to celebrate not only the diversity of Brattleboro, but also the broader idea of inclusion.
Our window display is meant to feel cozy and magical, almost like stepping into a wimmelbilder scene. Many of the pieces were handcrafted by me, with help and support from family and staff. It features tiny versions of some well-known Brattleboro locations, as well as little scenes with nods to a variety of local businesses.
We also consciously tried to represent many types of people and traditions found in our town. We have a diverse group of dolls, foods from different cultures, a pride flag, and holiday symbols from several traditions - a menorah, a Christmas tree, and a Yule log - along with a miniature poster celebrating diversity.
Our window is extra large. If you walk inside and look closely to see how many details you can find there is a little gift awaiting you to remember us by.
One of the special things about a town-wide festival is that it encourages people to explore parts of Brattleboro they may not usually see. So along with visiting the impressive displays downtown, I encourage people to also take a ride to the outlying participants: Millie's Antiques, the Winston Prouty Center for Child & Family Development, the Brattleboro Winter Farmers Market, ByWay Books & More, The Porch Café & Catering, the Vermont Country Deli, the Royal Diner and - yes - Thrifting New England.
Thrifting New England
Brattleboro
Angela Gray, owner
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