It’s easy to make a day out of the Velvet Mill. I spent hours just popping in and out of these inspired studios and shops. It’s refreshing to see craftspeople and entrepreneurs living out their dreams in these lofty spaces. And nowadays, you can satisfy most of your needs in this historic 1888 building, once home to velvet manufacturing.

Make a beeline for Zest Fresh Pastry. You’re probably familiar with Zest from local Farmers’ Markets but it’s here they bake those perfect sweet and savory goodies.  And why not top it off with a few tastings of craft brews at Beer’d and take home a growler?

Or go the healthy route by swinging into Biologic+, where Carlos and Courtney will whip you up a fresh, cold pressed organic juice. Follow it up with a yoga class upstairs with Ken Law and friends, at Irie Yoga.

Don’t miss Patti Murphy Paperie.  It’s the perfect spot for stocking up on unique gifts and cards. As a full service branding, web and graphic designer, Patty still finds the time to curate a collection of fellow artist’s prints, cards and softgoods to accompany her own work. And she teams up with Poor Morgan  – also in the mill – for her printing.

And then there’s the cheese…

In the East End, we met the earnest and devoted, Jessa, from Cheese Boro Whey, a certified CT dairy plant. She gave us a tour of her immaculate plant which she operates along with her brother. She shared her exquisite honey with us, because, well, she’s also a beekeeper! Her new retail space is filled with feta, farmer’s cheese, quark (almost a yogurt like consistency), cracker spread and honey. The shelves will be decked with local artisan’s wares, including hand-harvested sea salt from Mystic and Stonington. Check her fb page for updates.

tags; velvet mill, stonington borough, pastry, brewery, yoga studio, dairy plant, cheese monger, organic juice bar, juice cleanse