This wellness guide is brought to you in partnership with the Manchester Business Association, connecting you with the businesses and experiences that make Manchester, Vermont, a premier destination.
The jewelry catches your eye first. Sharon Herman's handcrafted silver pieces glint under the warm lighting at Aunt Bonnie's, drawing both locals and tourists deeper into what might be Manchester's most unexpectedly essential stop. What starts as casual browsing for an artisan bracelet often turns into something entirely different - a conversation about sleep, stress, or that anxious dog waiting back at the hotel or rental.
Located in the heart of Main Street, Aunt Bonnie's has quietly become the place where Manchester visitors and locals find solutions to wellness concerns that might have slipped past their own radar, all without the potential intimidation factor of a traditional dispensary. This isn't about getting high at all - it's about getting help.
"People might just be coming in to browse the shops," explains owner Vallis Goodermote, "and then they see CBD, and they're curious about it. They can get educated in a warm, welcoming environment versus feeling like they're doing something wrong."
The difference is immediately apparent. Rather than the clinical feel of a pharmacy or the uncertainty of a dispensary, Aunt Bonnie's feels like what it is: a health and beauty boutique where wellness can happen to include cannabinoids. The shelves blend skincare, aromatherapy, and jewelry with CBD products, creating an environment where curiosity trumps hesitation.
Goodermote's journey to natural wellness began with a personal wake-up call. "Years ago I had a reaction to a fragranced laundry product - and ever since, synthetic scents and chemical-laden skincare have continued to cause issues," she explains. That moment sparked a deep dive into everyday household items - laundry detergent, dryer sheets, plug-in air fresheners, candles. "It was an eye-opening discovery finding that many products contain synthetic chemicals that can be irritating, hormone-disrupting, or harmful to our long-term health."
This personal experience, combined with becoming more ingredient-conscious during pregnancy, shaped the store's philosophy: prioritizing natural ingredients that are mostly plant-based and scented with pure essential oils, while avoiding phthalates, parabens, and synthetic fragrances.
For travelers, particularly, this matters. Many visitors might never venture into a dispensary, but they'll absolutely wander into a boutique that feels more like a thoughtful gift shop than a medical facility.
The 2 AM Wake-Up Call Here's what Aunt Bonnie's customers know: CBD isn't just about falling asleep - it's about staying asleep. "People will take a CBD gummy to help them stay asleep at nighttime," Goodermote notes. "There are people who wake up 2 a.m., 4 a.m. They wake up two, three times a night."
For travelers dealing with new beds, different time zones, or just the general disruption of being away from home, this becomes invaluable. The store's sleep-focused CBD gummies have become a go-to for visitors who want to actually rest during their Manchester getaway.
The Vacation Dog Dilemma Then there's the challenge every pet owner faces: keeping dogs calm during travel. Aunt Bonnie's pet CBD chews address the specific anxiety triggers that come with vacation - car rides, new environments, being left in hotel rooms or Airbnbs. "The calming CBD helps keep your dog calm while they're on vacation," Goodermote explains. "It helps them be calm and relaxed without sedating them."
This isn't about knocking out an anxious pet; it's about taking the edge off so both dog and owner can actually enjoy the trip.
Post-Adventure Recovery Manchester's hiking trails are irresistible, but they're also demanding. Visitors regularly come into Aunt Bonnie's after tackling Lye Brook Falls or attempting Mount Equinox with aching backs and sore muscles. The CBD pain stick offers a natural alternative to traditional pain relief, helping active travelers recover so they can make the most of their remaining vacation days.
What sets Aunt Bonnie's apart is the emphasis on education over sales. Goodermote, who discovered CBD during the pandemic as a stressed mom of two teenage boys, understands the confusion surrounding the product. "When we started, it was like, 'Oh, I don't want to get high,'" she recalls. "Now people are learning about milligrams and cannabinoids, but there is still some confusion."
The store provides guidance on dosing based on weight and individual needs, explains the difference between CBD and marijuana, and offers completely THC-free options. It's the kind of personalized education that online shopping can't provide.
One thing not to sleep on is the jewelry selection. The jewelry isn't just decoration - it's part of the story. Sharon Herrmann, who's been crafting jewelry for 40 years, represents the local artisan tradition, while the Ed Levin Studios pieces connect to 70 years of Vermont jewelry-making history, starting in Bennington's Hawkins House.
This blend of established craft and modern wellness creates something unique on Main Street. Visitors can leave with a handcrafted bracelet and a natural sleep aid, supporting both traditional Vermont artisans and innovative wellness solutions.
What to Try:
Price Range: Jewelry starts at $18 and goes up to over $1000, CBD products typically around $50, skincare from $20-$80
The Approach: Come in curious, leave educated. The staff prioritizes helping customers understand what they're buying rather than pushing products.
Local Integration: The store features regional makers and small, often female-owned companies, maintaining that Vermont connection to natural, handcrafted quality.
Aunt Bonnie's works best when you have time to browse and ask questions. The staff can explain dosing, discuss specific needs, and help you understand what you're buying. The store also ships for $4.99, so if you discover something that works during your visit, you can easily reorder from home.
What makes Aunt Bonnie's special isn't just the products - it's the approach. In a world where wellness can feel complicated or intimidating, they've created a space where curiosity is welcomed, questions are answered, and solutions are found. For Manchester visitors, it's become the unexpected stop that solves problems they didn't even know they had.
Ready to explore natural wellness solutions? Visit Aunt Bonnie's at 4943 on Main Street, Manchester. For more information and to shop online, visit AuntBonnies.com
This wellness guide is brought to you in partnership with the Manchester Business Association, connecting you with the businesses and experiences that make Manchester, Vermont, a premier destination.
