The new millennium is a time for diverse new business in downtown Bellows Falls. The newest addition to the eclectic shops clustered around the Square is Halladays florist. They recently opened a new storefront, which complements the well-established Halladays Harvest Barn and Gardens on Route 5, north of the village, across from the Joy Wah Restaurant.

Since 1895, Halladays has been a full-service greenhouse and florist for all your floral needs, including weddings and funerals. They also stock a full line of locally sourced specialty foods, made on the premises.

AThousand Voyages is a must see establishment. Words cannot accurately depict the effort, time, and energy Mark S. Morse has put into the items on display. These items range from a one-of-a-kind exotic pure Chinese silk Japanese Kimono to a fully-grown, coiled, hooded cobra preserved with formaldehyde in a glass jar .

He also stocks exquisite prints, complete with frames, a brass dragon wall plaque, and many more items sure to delight.

Some entrepreneurs in Bellows Falls are celebrating anniversaries, notably: Mr. Greens, one year in the Howard Block, The Framery of Vermont, five years on Bridge Street, and Coyote Moon, three years on Canal Street in the Exner Block.

Douglas Robinson has opened a much-needed grocery store on the Square. He offers fresh produce, cheese, wines, home brewing supplies, peanuts with the shell on, and even personal shopping carts.

The Framery of Vermont showcases framed prints by Sabra Field, Warren Kimble, and Will Moses. Donna Lund provides custom framing and gallery handcrafted native hardwood frames in her shop.

Devik Wyman, co-owner of Coyote Moon with Aristides Nogueron, routinely travel across the border to Mexico to obtain socially responsible, fair trade folk art and handcrafted gifts. They have one of a kind sterling silver jewelry and colorful beaded handbags.

Jayne Skibniowsky, manager of Flowers on the Square, told me about their newest venture born in June of this year, "Fleur de Lys, our wedding salon, was opened to offer a full array of services for the wedding party. We are offering custom gowns and all services to make your day special."

A delightful bookshop downtown owned by Patricia and Alan Fowler will complete your journey through the square. Village Square Book Sellers has books, art, and tables and chairs to sit, read, and munch on a snack while you contemplate your purchases.

Travelling a short way from the square to Burt Street off of Atkinson Street is the Reynolds and Riccio household, River Mist Bed and Breakfast. During your stay you will enjoy a gourmet breakfast, not a continental one. Some of the features of this 1895 Victorian architectural gem are hardwood floors, wood mouldings, pocket doors, a hand-carved fireplace, and an ornate turned post staircase.

At the north end of the town is Miss Bellows Falls Diner, an authentic 1920's Worcester Lunch Car Company diner. It was relocated from Massachusetts in 1942. The eatery boasts porcelain panels with railroad-style windows on the outside, the inside has the original marble counter, tile floor plus oak and chrome paneling. Ron Bingham is the owner and manager.

A short drive or, on a nice day, an invigorating walk, about a mile north of the town is the Joy Wah Chinese Restaurant with your host Chiang Hom. Mr. Hom has close to three decades of experience in southern Vermont's restaurant scene.

Finally, beginning in the third week of May is the new Bellows Falls Farmers Market. It is open through October from 3-7pm every Friday. It is located at the new Waypoint Visitors Center, which also houses the Great Falls Regional Chamber of Commerce.