Catamount Glass to bring retail operation to County Street in Bennington

By Tom Momberg

tmomberg@ benningtonbanner.com @TomMomberg on Twitter

BENNINGTON >> Catamount Glassware Inc., is in the process of an expansion and renovation of its County Street factory, that will bring a new retail operation to town this spring.

Adam Volpi, vice president of operations at Catamount Glassware, 309 County St., said that the new retail store and 16-handle beer and soda taproom will be finished before March for a soft opening in mud season.

Catamount had a retail shop in the 90s, but closed it soon thereafter. This store will be different. Once finished, the new 900-square-foot space will be more than just a store, but also a space to sit down, have a beer and take a growler to go. Beverages from local breweries and soda makers will be served out the very of the custom glassware that Catamount makes for them.

To round out the new store as something for everyone, the store will sell Catamount's labware and cookware, beer and wine paraphernalia, as well as gift sets and apparel from various local breweries. Volpi also said he would eventually like to get involved with craft demonstrations, and sell accompanying beer and soda-making kits.

Catamount Glassware was established in 1979, and moved to County Street in 1984. The company designs glassware, and specializes in screen printing its own products, as well as the custom glassware requested by all of its clients. Everything from Catamount's patented glass popcorn popper and specialized glass kitchen products that it sells to retailers like William-Sonoma, to the growlers and pint glasses it screenprints for various breweries, will be available in the new space.

"Because of our facilities, we are going to be able to bring in glass from all over the world. I've been doing this for 42 years, so I know where to find everything. It's not just going to just be a place to sit down in and have a beer either," said artist, sculptor and Catamount Glassware Founder Alain Karyo.

Karyo said the retail space could eventually allow the company to sell other Vermont products that pair well with Catamount's glassware, as well.

"The biggest seller in the company is our popcorn popper. We've sold over a million of them. Now, we want to sell popcorn made in Vermont. See, we want local products. We've made coffee makers, so now we can sell local coffees."

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Catamount Glass to bring retail operation to County Street in Bennington