Marty's 1st Stop

Danville, Vermont
Rt 2


So I am almost embarrassed to admit that one of my favorite places in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont is a convenience store. So enamored by this establishment that when we decided to sell our Danville house that even our children would check a potential property off the list if it's proximity to Marty's was not close enough (no joke). Aah, but Marty's 1st Stop is so much more than a convenience store, in fact we like to call it a gold mine.

Located on Rt 2 Between the town of St. Johnsbury and the center of Danville, Marty's has positioned itself as a first stop and a last stop for many a hunter, camper, skier and leaf peeper alike. But don't be mistaken, this is not a tourist trap as the locals seem just as fond of this small grocery/gas establishment as the tourists. And as well they should.

Marty's, and yes there is a Marty, provides its shoppers with the perfect alternative to the grocery store. The deli and meat department is quite possibly the best stocked meat counter I have ever encountered. It is regular part of our weekend routine to stop by Marty's and pick up some marinated beef tips and marinated chicken breast for cooking out on the grill. but you can also get rosemary encrusted lamb roast, salmon steaks and yes even fresh lobster! If you are looking for a sandwich to go, their deli subs and grinders are delicious with a generous helping of cold cuts and vegetables.


After you move on from the meat counter you realize that you might have been hasty in your choice as you notice the huge crocks of homemade soup. On this particular day I actually found the chef himself stirring the pots, Marty! Although he was hesitant to have me take a picture of just him alone claiming that it takes a whole lot of folks to make this business run. Soup of the day....shrimp and scallop bisque and pot roast and potato stew...not too shabby for a small town convenience store.

Along with the soup, you will find fresh made egg sandwiches in the morning, Pizza throughout the day and a variety of other comfort foods that change daily. Need a bottle of wine to go with dinner, Marty's has got you covered. Located next to the produce is a nice selection of wines to please every palette.




But there is even more! For all you coffee lovers, there is an entire counter filled with fresh brewed Green Mountain coffee (baked goods to the left) Hot summer evening, stop in for some ice cream at the ice cream shop out front, need some food for the livestock, yes there is even a feed store. According to Marty, you will even be able to do your banking soon as a local bank will be setting up two tellers. Oh yeah and did I mention that it was a gas station and on the VAST trail!

As I said earlier, we often call Marty's a gold mine. Undoubtedly it is busy every moment of the day four seasons out of the year. But the store is well equipped and experienced to handle the love fest with several registers ready and manned. Many of the customers and employees seem to know one another and take a few minutes to say hello and catch up at the counter.

The down side of Marty's, well I haven't actually found one yet...even the bathrooms are nice and clean!

Medelise