Sandy’s Books & Bakery, Rochester, Vermont

By Erin on September 20, 2014 • ( 1 Comment )

When I was in college in Vermont, Rochester was always “the town where you make a left onto Bethel Mountain Road” when giving directions to hop on interstate 89. Or a pitstop after urgently holding my bladder after miles and miles on back-country roads or, better yet, a snowy, white-knuckled drive down the Bethel Gap. Now years later, Rochester is a destination for us. The small village in the heart of the Green Mountains has a lot to offer.

Visiting Sandy’s Books & Bakery

Sandy’s Books & Bakery is deceiving. If you didn’t know any better, you’d think it was just another coffee shop and bookstore with wifi… which it is and which, if you’re like me, you’ll be grateful for after not having a cell signal for many miles. But it’s also a gathering place, whether to share a meal, play music or peruse shelves of hard-to-find books. We first walked into Sandy’s, formerly known as Seasoned Books, when the Rochester Cafe across the road was full to the brim, and we thought we’d see what Sandy’s was all about.

When you walk into the old home that houses the bookstore and bakery, you’ll find small rooms packed with books and tables scattered throughout the space. Likely, you’ll smell wafts of fresh-baked breads, croissants, muffins, scones (all made in-house) and roasted coffee beans and be greeted by one of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet (the baristas are always happy, friendly and welcoming). Order at the counter and seat yourself either inside or out. Their breakfast and lunch menus both have many vegetarian and gluten-free options, all made to order. My favorite, surprise-surprise, is the BLT. Served on their homemade bread, with local vegetables and thick-sliced bacon, it’s one of the best I’ve found in Vermont. In fact, Sandy’s Books & Bakery prides itself on working with local growers and producers to create a community around food. In their words:

There are so many neighbors and local businesses to buy ingredients from – berries all summer, wild mushrooms, honey, maple syrup, all kinds of garden produce, meats, cheeses, grains, candy, ice creams, and more. While the bookstore business is pretty even tempered and self-contained, the food business is high energy, with lots of action and challenges. The rewards are significant – feeding people is a responsibility and the love and appreciation we receive in return is huge.

So why books and a bakery/cafe in one location? Sandy puts it like this:

We love the combination of food and books, especially because our bookstore specialty is, and always has been, sustainable agriculture and food politics. To also maintain vegetable gardens and a kitchen, serving people beautiful, wholesome, freshly prepared food, seemed a natural development.

Tips for Visiting Sandy’s Books & Brews Like a Local:

If you need a pitstop on Route 100 in Rochester, the bathroom is in the far back left corner of the bookstore. You’re welcome in advance. Do grab at least a cup of coffee from Vermont Coffee Company before hitting the road again; it’s strong and fabulous with cream from Strafford Organic Creamery.
Not a coffee drinker? Try their own organic cocoa blend or spicy hot chocolate with chipotle for an extra kick. Or tea from Vermont Liberty Tea out of Waterbury, Vermont.
Making Sandy’s a destination? They serve local beer, wine and mead, along with mimosas on Sunday mornings.
Sandy’s is the ~~only~~ best place to find bagels in the area. They don’t make them every day, but when they do, they have a sign outside for “Fresh Bagels Today.” Sandy’s bagels are made in house and are Montreal-style bagels… they’re chewy, less airy and smaller than typical NY-style bagels. Try the Asiago Dill, and get there early to make sure some are left.
The bakery boasts a Bread Buyer’s Club. For every five loaves you buy, you get the sixth free. Make sure to pick up the frequent bread buyer’s card. Even if it takes you years to fill up, it’ll remind you to stop in when you’re travelling through Rochester.
Every day of the week, they feature a special homemade bread, from Ciabatta to Multigrain to Sour Dough. The white bread, which is a staple and available every day, freezes well and makes perfect French toast.
Love shortbread? Try the lemon Earl Grey cookies.