Friday, November 30, 2012

Local store, International following: Stew Leonard's!

Locals often take this unique store for granted, but Stew Leonard's is actually an international tourist attraction!  http://www.stewleonards.com/html/directions_norwalk.cfm

The store is actually made up of several different venues - 
 


The main portion is a grocery, with local seasonal items in front near the ice cream/smoothie station. Here you can find local produce from our local farms, fresh and bountiful.

  On the other side of the parking lot is an animal farm where children and adults of all ages enjoy watching goats, sheep, cows and chickens.





 When you walk into the main entrance, you run into their Mantra:
The Customer is Always Right!
 But the main attraction is inside: the multiple animated figures all throughout the store.  Each figure has its own little catchy tune which the locals can recite by heart.
 

 




 
Live "ducks" , "cows" or "chickens" wander through the store to greet customers
 

People are so entertained by the characters that they forget that the food is actually very good: breads, pies, cakes, biscuits, bagels and more, baked on the premises.  Fresh fruits and veggies, great meats and fish, dairy products from their local dairy farm - you can actually watch the cows on a live webcam!
 

Stews also supports many charities, including the Charity of the Month, always located near the door.
.
Don't miss this amazing store!  There is nothing like it.  I have only scratched the surface of what it has.  There is a haunted hay ride for Halloween, live music and outdoor grill in the warm months, garden center, christmas tree center, catering service, hot and cold buffets for takeout, flower shop, liquor shop, and more.  It is too big for one blog - you just have to go there.  Enjoy!