BRATTLEBORO — You could say that Scott Sparks can smell the winds of change.
He had spent 30 years in food service sales, with the last 10 years as an executive overseeing farm-to-table purchasing and sales. He worked closely with Vermont farmers, cheese makers and producers to help them bring their products to market.
Amid the upheaval when the company he worked for was sold and went national, Sparks had an epiphany: It was time to explore a new way to work with Vermont farmers to help them stay productive in a changing world. He turned to his co-worker and told him he was going to open a hemp store.
Within a few hours, fate further nudged him along. Out of the blue, Sparks received a “spam” email inviting him to attend the Northern Colorado Hemp Expo. He took it as a message from the universe and bought VIP tickets.
He started Vermont Hempicurean in early 2018 and has never looked back. It offers CBD and hemp from Vermont growers and producers.
“We have gathered what we believe are some of the best hemp-based products available, supporting local farmers and producers whenever we can,” says Sparks. “We are most proud of supporting local hemp farmers and helping people and pets with issues like stress, anxiety, sleeplessness and pain management.”
After four years in downtown Brattleboro, Hempicurean recently moved to its current location in West Brattleboro.
Although it sold grow supplies on a limited basis in its original shop, it now has a full service grow supply store at its sister store, the Vermont Grow Barn. It offers a large selection of high quality, well-respected brands of grow supplies, as well as cannabis grow consultation with purchases, and touts “the best selection of grow supplies in Southern Vermont.”
Vermont Hempicurean and Vermont Grow Barn are located at 257 Marlboro Road in West Brattleboro. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 12 to 4 p.m.
