Winooski, Vermont is the most densely urban square mile in a majority rural state. We are lucky to have nature areas and recreation as well as a vibrant small business community despite our size. Whether you live in the area or are visiting, you can park once and with a quick walk you can finish your holiday to do list in Winooski! You might be surprised what you can find in only one or two blocks. Shopping for last-minute gifts for hard-to-buy for family and friends? What about teachers and co-workers? Find unique offerings in Winooski.
Tips: Download the Parkmobile app so you can easily take care of your parking (and even add more time!) right from your smartphone. While you’re on your phone, sign up for City of Winooski winter parking alerts with NIXLE, or simply text ‘Winooski’ to 888-777.
East Allen
Stop first at Vermont Homebrew Supply and Beverage Warehouse (21+ only!) for the beer lover in your life. Don’t forget bubbles for New Year’s Eve! Pop into Jin’s Chinese to pick up your takeout and grab a gift card, too. If your friends or family frequent Preya for their salon needs, pick up a gift card towards their next appointment. Then head across the street to Morning Light Bakery for your favorite drink and a special snack. A little further down East Allen is Sarom’s Cafe, newly opened and already with a huge following of fans who love their authentic Vietnamese cuisine and drinks. For the CBD or cannabis-curious (21+ only!), check out Winooski Organics, their CBD shop is separate from their cannabis store, with IDs checked at both doors..
Winooski Falls Way
Walk down the hill to Winooski Falls Way or find a spot on the street or in the Parking Garage (enter on Cascade Way). Pop in to Commodities Natural Market to find sweet and savory gifts, and essentials for your holiday get-togethers. Grab a reservation for dinner and gift cards at Waterworks Food + Drink. Did you know that the Champlain Mill is home to the Heritage Winooski Mill Museum? A visit to the current exhibit and a gift from their shop would be such a unique idea. Make sure to confirm open hours on their website. Then head up to what some people call the “beauty block” to set appointments and pick up gifts or gift certificates at Champlain Nails, La Bella Derma Spa, Wise Rose Beauty and HYPE Nutrition. Stop in to Asian Bistro for an appetizer (and a gift certificate, of course!)
The Circle
It doesn’t matter where you start around the circle, you’ll find lots of fun and unique stops in this iconic downtown Winooski area. Stay parked in the garage or there’s plenty of street parking within a couple blocks of wherever you need to go. Grab gift cards and unique finds for everyone on your list. Even the people who say they “don’t want anything!” The Archives has a unique cocktail list and a huge selection of arcade games. McKee’s Pub and Grill has comfort food and their favorite drink. Golden Hour Gift Co. has everything you didn’t know you needed but absolutely must have. Check out their selection of carefully curated gifts. Rhoan has that extra-special something for the discerning style lover. Autumn Records is filled with new and vintage albums and equipment for the audiophile… or anyone who wishes they were. We don’t recommend picking out their tattoo, but I bet your family or friend who is planning their next ink or piercing would love a contribution to their tattoo fund in the form of a gift card to Aartistic Inc. Newly opened and already garnering lots of media and other attention, stop by the beautiful and hip Onion City Chicken + Oyster (from the owners of Misery Loves Co.) for a delectable cocktail and dinner. You know that Scout + Co. will get them ready for the day with their drink of choice, whether it’s coffee or tea. Or psst… get both in one of our favorite drinks, a “dirty chai” (aka, chai tea and coffee).
Visit Misery Loves Co. to pick up a gift card they can use anytime for their favorite sandwich or meal. Leave enough time to peruse the ever-changing Misery Loves Co. Market. You’ll likely find a perfect gift…even if it’s for yourself. They already love eating out or getting takeout from Papa Frank’s, Mule Bar, and Our House, so gift cards will be a slam dunk. Get tickets to an upcoming live show at The Monkey House, or grab a gift card for full pies of their popular pizza. New this year around the circle, Grazers just opened next to Sneakers (in the former Tiny Thai space), a great restaurant sure to please all ages and occasions. Mandarin has the food and cocktails they want for a fun night out…or night in. Rosie’s Market has beautifully made fair trade and CBD chocolates for everyone on your list. Pick up a maple latte for yourself, too. Next door is Catland Vintage, a shop that’s almost like a museum, there’s so much to see! Grab a gift card if you can’t decide, or select a one-of-a-kind present off their shelves.
Make a plan to meet up with friends outdoors or inside at Four Quarters Brewery. Snag a four pack (or more) on your way out. Across the street and just up from the iconic Winooski block is the home of salon collaborative featuring Atlas Hair Studio, Wildflower Studio, Halcyon Hair Studio, Opalescence Hair Studio, and The Shop. All of them offer gift certificates, just saying.
Main Street
Great food from around the world abounds on Main Street. Pick up gift cards and takeout for your party (whether it’s for one person or twenty!) at Mountain Valley Restaurant (in the former Friends Nepali space), Pho Dang, Juniors Original – Now Juniors Peking!, and the newly expanded (Tiny Thai. Be sure to check out Wicked Wings, for crowd-pleasing food and drinks. For high quality spices, sauces, plus fresh produce, staples and specialty finds from around the globe, visit Asian General Market, Sagarmatha Grocery, and NADA Market.
For your (or your family members’) salon needs, there’s ever-popular Old Soul Barbershop, and up the street you’ll find salon Golden Scissors, and highly rated Heavenly Nail Salon alongside newly opened Ishu Salon and Come and See African Market. Upstairs from Walgreens is the newly opened Prism Beauty for your facial and other aesthetic needs.
Mallets Bay Avenue & beyond
Winooski is home to so many unique businesses and our community would not be the same without them. Corner store and community gathering space A&A Asian Market (in the former J&J Market space). Next door is Last Stop Sports Bar, a casual spot for enjoying live music and hanging out with friends (and their bar kitty!) Stop at the long-time favorite Chick’s Market and Sammy’s for everyday needs and fun finds.
More unique Winooski gifts
If you’re not comfortable browsing in person, give any of these local businesses a call to purchase a gift card or find out their other curbside or no-contact options!
Follow @downtownwinooski on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter to find out about upcoming events, specials and what’s new in Winooski.
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