Downtown Vergennes is Pure Charm and All Heart
April 19, 2025
As the saying goes, a rising tide lifts all boats. That is especially true in downtown Vergennes.
The restoration and reopening of the Vergennes Opera House on Main Street nearly 30 years ago helped spark the city’s revival.
Today, stroll down Main Street or Green Street, and you’ll find artisan ice cream, small-batch chocolate, women’s fashions, natural wine, furniture, flowers, bread, pottery, jewelry, candles, beauty products and CBD products.
“Vergennes is steeped in history with a modern-day appeal,” says Christine M. Garrow, executive director for the Vergennes Partnership. “It’s evolved to become a go-to destination for eclectic shopping and dining.”
-The Vergennes Opera House, which is part of city hall, was built in 1897.
Arts and Culture
After closing in 1974 amid controversy and worries about the building’s structural integrity, the Vergennes Opera House reopened in 1997 to great fanfare.
The opera house’s renovation showed what was possible for the city, which had experienced an economic downturn in previous decades.
In the 2000s, Vergennes became a must-see destination and was featured in major media outlets like National Geographic Traveler in 2009.
This year, the brick Romanesque opera house, built in 1897, will close May 1 until early 2026 to undergo a $1.9 million renovation to improve accessibility. Between October and January, the city’s churches, local library and restaurants will host performances in place of the opera house.
As part of the 2025-26 Off Stage Series, organized by the Friends of The Vergennes Opera House, theater performances will be at The Bixby Memorial Free Library, Vergennes Congregational Church, Lulu Ice Cream, Park Squeeze, 10 Green Street, The Holt and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
-The Bixby Memorial Free Library is an architectural gem in the heart of downtown Vergennes.
The History and Architecture of Vergennes
Vergennes—Vermont’s smallest city by population—was founded in 1788 and named after the Comte de Vergennes.
Located along Otter Creek with access to Lake Champlain, the city figured prominently in the War of 1812. The river has 40-foot falls in the downtown area, and above and below the falls are spots to canoe and kayak.
Much of the city is on the National Register of Historic Places, and Vergennes is home to beautiful, restored 19th-century homes and other buildings.
Vergennes has four churches built in the 19th century, as well as Federalist, Italianate and French Second-Empire homes built 150 years ago.
The Bixby Memorial Library on Main Street is a 100-year-old architectural treasure with a central rotunda and stained-glass dome.
-A customer eats lunch at 3 Squares Café on Main Street in Vergennes.
Eat, Drink, Shop and Browse in Vergennes
When you’re in downtown Vergennes, here is a sampling of the special places you’ll find:
Artists and Revolutionaries
Artists and Revolutionaries is all about natural fibers and textiles like linen, cotton and silk. Clothing is hand-crafted using a small-batch system. The shop’s philosophy of size-free clothing offers versatile and inspiring options for women of all sizes.
The store showcases gorgeous clothing, and hands down, Artists and Revolutionaries is the best name for a clothing shop ever. (187 Main St., Vergennes; artistsandrevolutionaries.com)
Black Sheep Bistro
Black Sheep Bistro embraces you the moment you walk in the door with its cozy, elegant vibe inside or on the patio.
Dine on duck leg confit, bistro steak or crispy tofu. The restaurant uses fresh, local ingredients and its menu is inspired by traditional French flavors. (253 Main St., Vergennes; blacksheepbistrovt.com)
Daily Chocolate
Located just off Main Street, the Daily Chocolate specializes in small-batch, handmade chocolates.
After a visit and tasting their chocolate, you’ll understand these words on their website: “Making chocolate is like making theatre. It’s magical, a little mysterious, and when done correctly, it’s moving.” (7 Green St., Vergennes; dailychocolatevt.com)
-Shops on Green Street in downtown Vergennes.
Diddle & Zen
Step inside Diddle & Zen, and you’ll instantly feel better. Colorful flowers, cheerful décor, plus beauty and wellness products make this a place you want to spend time in.
The owner of Diddle & Zen also runs an offsite flower farm, and her business specializes in designing stunning wedding florals. (221 Main St., Vergennes; diddleandzen.com)
K. Grant Fine Art
This local gallery curates group exhibitions, highlighting emerging and established artists from the area. K. Grant Fine Art will open a new exhibit, Signals, showcasing six artists whose work invites reflection, imagination and reverence for the natural world through painting, drawing, sculpture, installation and ceramics.
Signals will run May 3-June 21, with an opening reception May 3 from 6-9 p.m. (37 Green St., Vergennes; kgrantfineart.com)
Lost Lantern Whiskey Tasting Room
Mark Twain once said, “Too much of anything is bad, but too much good whiskey is barely enough.” If you’re a whiskey fan, stop by Lost Lantern’s tasting room on Fridays and Saturdays (or by appointment).
Lost Lantern follows the Scottish tradition of curating and blending whiskey distilled by others. Twain would have approved. (11 Main St., Vergennes; lostlanternwhiskey.com)
Lulu Ice Cream
Lulu Ice Cream serves tasty flavors made from scratch, including bananas foster, garden basil and vanilla bean, as well as a white chocolate-lavender goat milk gelato.
One customer review puts it best: “This is everything we hope for in life.” (185 Main St., Vergennes; luluvt.com)
Park Squeeze
You can’t miss the iconic Park Squeeze sign on Main Street. Follow the green sign and gold arrow to this neighborhood bar and restaurant for a tasty burger, butternut squash ravioli or creamy mac and cheese. (161 Main St., Vergennes; parksqueeze.com)
-Main Street in Vergennes is home to restaurants and local shops.
The Joy Shop
You can’t help but smile when you stop in The Joy Shop. Find handmade jewelry, vintage clothing, Vermont cards, candles, art prints, unique baby gifts and clothing for little ones. (245 Main St., Vergennes; instagram.com/thejoyshopvt)
Vergennes Laundry
Vergennes Laundry is a wood-fired bakery and an ideal place to lounge on a leisurely Sunday morning—or any day of the week. Enjoy espresso, pearl almond tarts, sourdough pain au chocolate and a cozy atmosphere. (247 Main St., Vergennes; vergenneslaundry.co)
10 Green Street
10 Green Street is a wine bar and furniture showroom owned by a husband-and-wife team. She’s a talented winemaker and he creates modern pieces made from Vermont-harvested wood. It’s a perfect combo. (10 Green St., Vergennes; 10greenstreetvt.com)
3 Squares Café
3 Squares Café serves up blueberry lemon pancakes, coconut curry scramble, a mushroom Reuben, smash burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, plus espresso and coffee drinks. Perch yourself at a window seat, sip some coffee and people watch to your heart’s content. (141 Main St., Vergennes; threesquarescafe.com)
Learn more about Vergennes by visiting vergennesdowntown.org.
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