Berkshire Magazine August 2022 | Let's Go Shopping Feature

Berkshire Magazine | August 2022

Let’s Go Shopping!
DAY-TRIPPING TO MANCHESTER DESIGNER OUTLETS
By Anastasia Stanmeyer // Photos By Jimmy Ienner, Jr.

It might be called Manchester Designer Outlets, but it’s not like any designer outlets destination that I’ve ever been to. This sprawling shopping mecca is located within a charming hamlet in the southern part of Vermont, surrounded by the Green and Taconic mountains. It is woven into the fabric of a New England town, with designer brand outlet stores and locally owned boutiques, restaurants, and shops, all taken in stride on a beautiful summer afternoon.

I have been intrigued about Manchester Designer Outlets for a while and decided to make a trip out there with my co-worker, Jen Hines. It was just over an hour away, and taking a drive on country roads was an enjoyable experience in itself. In addition to visiting a location with a promising adventure of shopping, we had the immense pleasure of touring the outlets with the co-founder and president, Lana Hauben. I quickly realized that Lana was very connected to each and every one of the shops, familiar with the names of the managers, owners, and employees and ready to jump in and help a customer or straighten up a dis- play table. Everyone warmly welcomed her, and it truly felt like I was in a small-town shopping area. Which I was.

Our visit began in the outlet’s main office, which didn’t last long because Lana wanted to take us for a ride in her car with a license plate that read, “Shop Vt.” We were more than ready for a tour of the shops on Main Street and Depot Street. On the short drive, Lana gave us the history of Manchester Designer Outlets that began with her husband, Ben. She described the setting in which he stood

at the corner of route 7A and Route 11/30, pointed eastward in
the direction of Bromley and Stratton mountains, and said, “Is this 57th Street and Fifth Avenue?” That vision of Manchester Designer Outlets along that route materialized in the years that followed, with Polo as the first outlet established in 1983. “Four hundred people showed up for the opening,” recalls Hauben.

It wasn’t long before we were parked and popped into the charming Marimekko Outlet, with a wide array of fun colors and patterns. We were introduced to Will on the floor, who explained to us that we can find clothing, handbags, footwear, and homeware in this store, which is the only Marimekko outlet in the U.S. “We do it all,” says Will. “We were one of the first official lifestyle brands in existence. We came about as a result of the Second World War. There was a huge depression in most places, but especially Finland. The founder, Armi Ratia, wanted to sort of imbue joy into everything in everyday life.”

From there, we stepped into the impressive Armani Outlet on Depot Street, with clothing and accessories that reflect the under- stated elegance of this iconic designer. Lana elaborated on the beginnings of the outlets. “We were very unique in what we did, because we built beautiful, quality buildings, and we got all the great tenants of the world.”

During these past few years, some big-name merchants made way for smaller entrepreneurs to take up their space. “When big business- es went out, that allowed me to put people in at affordable rates,” says Lana. Next stop was Smugglers’ Notch Distillery, whose spirits are made with pure Vermont spring water. The bottles were neatly displayed, and we indulged in tasting what they had to offer—including Maple Bourbon Whiskey, Maple Rum, the Moroccan Rose & Grapefruit Flavored Vodka, and the Maple Cream Liqueur. We
took advantage of the beautiful day and sat outside, sitting on stools around a whiskey barrel, enjoying the scene and the libations.

Worth a day trip in itself or an overnight excursion is the family-friendly Pastime Pinball—our next stop. “We went for the top 100 games in every decade,” co-owner Beth Friedman explains shortly after we stepped into the arcade. The hands-on museum features 66 pinball machines from 1947 to today. “Everything is ready to play,” says Beth. “There are no coins, no tokens. ‘Free play’ is a setting on a coin-operated game, and it means it's ready to go. So you pay admission at the door, and you’re ready to go.”

The variety of the Manchester Designer Outlets makes it appealing for a wide range of tastes. We pop into the The Little Rooster Cafe, run by owner Anya Lincks. With eight tables and a few counter seats, we were lucky enough to nab an empty table in the Norman Rockwell-esque restaurant. The omelet was definitely a star—fresh, full of veggies with a healthy amount of melted cheese. The casual, inviting atmosphere was a pleasant interlude to charge back up before visiting more shops.

The next shop we visited was the luxury linens brand Yves Delorme—one of Lana’s favorite shops, and I could definitely see why. This is one of four outlet locations, including Charlottesville, Virginia; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Hilton Head, South Carolina. The pillows and bed spreads were exquisite, with beautiful prints that add a touch of French flair to any home.

Last on our tour de Manchester Designer Outlets was a stop in one of my favorite brands, TUMI, with classic styles as well as hipster additions such as the Anna Sling. As is apparent in all the shops that we visited, the managers and employees were passionate and incredibly knowledgeable about the products that they were selling. It was as much about the interaction with the customers as it was about making a sale. “We’ve grown really great relationships with many families over the 23 years that we’ve been here,” the manager says. “When you come here, it's an experience.”

It certainly was, and I’m already looking forward to my return.

For navigation directions, use 65 Depot Street, Manchester Center, Vermont. manchesterdesigneroutlets.com