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New England Federal Credit Union -- Vermont
I have done business with the New England Federal Credit Union several times over the last few years and I have never been treated better by a bank. ...
New England Federal Credit Union -- Vermont
I have done business with the New England Federal Credit Union several times over the last few years and I have never been treated better by a bank. All those feel-good adjectives that get applied to banks (dependable, friendly, trustworthy, helpful) pertain to the New England Federal Credit Union. Their staff whether a loan officer or a teller or a Vice-president are always friendly and work hard at making sure their customers feel like they are the credit union's only member. Credit Unions are becoming as popular (and as ubiquitous) in Vermont as maple trees and urban sprawl. New England Federal Credit Union is the cream of the crop. They work for me, they'll work for you.
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Bear Pond Books -- Montpelier, Vermont
This is how a great independent bookstore should look, feel, and sound like -- books of all kinds are stacked and stocked from floor to ceiling, displays on...
Bear Pond Books -- Montpelier, Vermont
This is how a great independent bookstore should look, feel, and sound like -- books of all kinds are stacked and stocked from floor to ceiling, displays on tabletops and in wire racks reward browsing as one makes his way through the narrow aisle leading to nooks marked mystery, spiritualism, and travel, patrons talk with the staff to check on orders or get recommendations regarding a new found love for Davies, Goodwin, or Smith. The children's section upstairs is well maintained with the latest wizards, whatsits, and whacky -- a wonder for children of all ages. Although prices are at a premium than what one might pay at a larger retailer, Bear Pond does have a great sale table on remaindered or discounted books. They also carry a fair amount of autographed new releases (I've never understood how they do this, but there they always are -- must be some independent bookseller cabal). Bear Bear Pond in mind next time your in Montpelier.
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The floorboards creak, the shelves are stuffed to the ceiling with yellow, yellowing, and yellowed paperbacks and hardcovers some new most used, it's the perfect place to browse and buy books,...
The floorboards creak, the shelves are stuffed to the ceiling with yellow, yellowing, and yellowed paperbacks and hardcovers some new most used, it's the perfect place to browse and buy books, welcome to Rivendell Books in Montpelier. Just like the kingdom of the elves that it takes its name from, Rivendell Books is a somewhat magical place outside the "borders," and the "barns" (noble though they may be) of chain book stores. There's a great vibe inside that invites browsing without trying to force it by having a café or some other contrivance a faux community. Like J.R.R's Rivendell, there is a sense of peace and calm that one finds inside Rivendell Books, away from the hustle & bustle of Vermont's quaint capital city. Hunting through the stacks and shelves at Rivendell, I always seem to come across a book that I intend to read or another that I heard about and more often than not I take home with me to my own shelves of the yellow, yellowing, and yellowed.
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Weir House of Pizza -- Taunton, MA
Taunton is a culturally bankrupt town, chain stores and fast food restaurants have basically wiped out family businesses, especially restaurants. Weir House of...
Weir House of Pizza -- Taunton, MA
Taunton is a culturally bankrupt town, chain stores and fast food restaurants have basically wiped out family businesses, especially restaurants. Weir House of Pizza has been a staple in the Weir since I was a kid and look forward to their pizza every time I visit my family. Their pizza has a great thin crust that is crunchy and chewy without being soaked in grease. Take-out is always available and the service is quick, friendly, and helpful. I've ordered take-out from Weir Pizza more times than I can count, but I've eaten their several times as well and although it's not "fine dining," it's a great place to meet friends or to take the family. If you're not in the mood for pizza, the menu offers many other Italian and Greek specialties. Weir House of Pizza it's where to go in Taunton.
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Barnes & Noble, South Burlington, Vermont
It's a Barnes and Noble, what can I tell you that you don't already know. This is one of the "big" Barnes & Noble stores, lots of space for lots of...
Barnes & Noble, South Burlington, Vermont
It's a Barnes and Noble, what can I tell you that you don't already know. This is one of the "big" Barnes & Noble stores, lots of space for lots of books. On average the shelves are stocked with many titles from one author and other more obscure authors that you can't always (or ever) find in smaller bookstores or even other chain retailers. The two unique aspects of this particular Barnes & Noble are a sale annex for used and remaindered books and a great children's section. The sale annex is often hit or miss on used titles, but the prices make it worth the trouble to hunt down a title that would probably cost three or four times if you bought it brand new. The store really tries to localize itself by providing in-store events like local author signings and a children's story-time on Saturdays.
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Borders -- Burlington, Vermont
Borders is a great place to browse on the Church Street Marketplace. As far as chain store bookstores go, you could do worse (ever been to a Waldenbooks?). ...
Borders -- Burlington, Vermont
Borders is a great place to browse on the Church Street Marketplace. As far as chain store bookstores go, you could do worse (ever been to a Waldenbooks?). Borders carries everything -- books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, note cards, journals, seasonal items, you name it -- for mind, body, and soul. With this much shelf space you can usually find several different titles from the same author and even those more obscure cult authors that other chain stores don't carry. The staff is friendly and helpful, as for the price I can't say the same. Sure Borders has 40% discounts on bestsellers and occasionally runs "specials," and the Borders Rewards Program is worth it (heck, it's free!), otherwise you're paying full price, especially on catalog DVDs and CDs. The great thing about shopping for books, CDs, and DVDs in Burlington is that you have options. Stay inside the "Borders" on Church Street, browse or buy, it's your money, right?
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Sunset Drive-In -- Colchester, Vermont
A summer-time tradition in the Champlain Valley. The Sunset Drive-In offers two movies for the price of one. Showing first-run blockbusters and a second...
Sunset Drive-In -- Colchester, Vermont
A summer-time tradition in the Champlain Valley. The Sunset Drive-In offers two movies for the price of one. Showing first-run blockbusters and a second feature that can range from new releases to second-run movies that are a couple weeks or a couple of months old. Rates at the beginning of the year (April) are $20 for a carload and through the year tickets will cost $10 per person. Again you are getting two movies for the price of one so if you can stay up (or keep the kids awake) it's worth the price of admission. Since it is a drive-in the first movie doesn't start until the sun goes down and on those mid-summer nights that could be as late as 8:30 PM or even 9:00 -- not great for young children or their parents for that matter. The seating is up to you as well as the sound. To hear the movie you tune in on your radio, it's pretty cool. The other thing about the Sunset Drive-In that makes it a must is the snack bar. Fairly priced goodies and junk-food favorites like hamburgers, hot dogs, and french fries that you can't get (usually) at those "inside" movie theaters.
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Ethan Allen Cinemas -- Burlington, Vermont
A few years ago, Ethan Allen Cinemas was a second-run that would cost you a couple of bucks (literally) to see a movie that was a few months old. ...
Ethan Allen Cinemas -- Burlington, Vermont
A few years ago, Ethan Allen Cinemas was a second-run that would cost you a couple of bucks (literally) to see a movie that was a few months old. Unfortunately, the prices have been increased ($4 for matinées and $6 after 6PM) and the movies are all first- run with a few exceptions. Chances are if it's a second-run film it has just left the other two Merrill theaters in the area, The Roxy and The Majestic 10. Lovingly referred to as "the cheap seats," it was the cheapest ticket in town and also the least modern theater as well, the seating, screens, and sound were . . . well, cheap. I have great memories of the sound cutting out at the beginning or end and even one time when I watched the film melt on the screen, good times. Improvements have been made, but you can't improve something that was designed without the foresight of modern conveniences like stadium seating and screens the size of tractor trailers.
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The Majestic 10 -- Williston, Vermont
This is "the" premier theater in Vermont. The Majestic lives up to its name. The lobby is huge with twin escalators to greet you as you travel up, up, up...
The Majestic 10 -- Williston, Vermont
This is "the" premier theater in Vermont. The Majestic lives up to its name. The lobby is huge with twin escalators to greet you as you travel up, up, up into the glass atrium to buy your tickets. The concession area, arcade, and a small dining area with seating are all located in this location. The screens, seats, and sound in the theaters themselves are unmatched in the Green Mountain state. Ticket prices are reasonable for the Northeast, but the highest in Chittenden County. Adult ticket prices range from $6 for matinées to $8 for all other shows. Ticket prices for children range from $5 for matinées to $5.50 for all other shows. My only complaint (and its a small one) about this theater is the parking. It's lousy. Often you'll have to park at one of the big box stores nearby and walk to the theater. I guess the exercise isn't a bad idea considering the calories you could consume once your inside.
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Palace 9
Category:
Sports & Recreation
South Burlington, Vermont 05403
(802) 864-5610
Palace Nine -- South Burlington, Vermont
Of all Chittenden County's theaters the Palace Nine is the warhorse. Sure there has always been a theater at the corner of College St. and South Winooski...
Palace Nine -- South Burlington, Vermont
Of all Chittenden County's theaters the Palace Nine is the warhorse. Sure there has always been a theater at the corner of College St. and South Winooski Ave., but before the Essex Cinemas and the Majestic showed movie patrons what stadium seating and surround sound look and feel like there was the Palace Nine. It's hard to justify nostalgia for something that was and still is just so-so, but the Palace Nine looks and feels like what it was like to watch a movie when Eddie Murphy was a leading man and nobody had heard the term "indie" film. The Palace so badly wants to be like a modern-state-of-the-art theater like The Majestic or even Essex Cinema, but it's stunted by its size and it's body-type. No matter what technical improvements it tries to make it's stuck between not being quite an art house and not having the bones to be a modern-day theater with all the roominess and ear drum splitting sound that moviegoers expect nowadays. The films that have been recently showing there tend to be more edgy films and documentaries that (perhaps) the stately art-deco walls of the Roxy in downtown Burlington can't handle. I hope this continues, because having all five theaters in town showing the "Shaggy Dog" has got, née must end. Tickets are $7.50 after 6 PM and $4.75 for seniors, military, and students for all shows all times. If your feelin's like you want to know what it's like to see a movie "back-in-the-day," put on your parachute pants and moonwalk over the Palace 9.
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