Good morning, Quiet Corner Swarm!
Today is Tuesday, August 25th, aka National Secondhand Wardrobe Day. And if there’s one thing I love, it’s a good deal. There’s just something satisfying about finding something great for a fraction of what it would cost new.
So, naturally, I went a little beyond the wardrobe. I put together a guide to local thrift, consignment, vintage and antique shops across Windham & Tolland counties. Clothes, furniture, records, random treasures you absolutely didn’t need until you saw them... it’s all below
In Today’s Quiet Corner Buzz:
Secondhand Shops
Summer’s End
The Big Pick
Buzz & Tell
Local Events
Let’s dive in!
-Tyler DiGiovanni
Thrift It. Find It. Love It.
I rounded up local thrift shops, consignment stores, vintage spots and antique treasure hunts across Windham & Tolland counties, plus a map so you can actually plan your route.
☀️ Squeeze a Little More Out of Summer
Summer’s running out, but we’re not done with it yet. Before the pumpkins and apple cider completely take over, use our local guides to squeeze in a few more Quiet Corner adventures.
Pick one, get out of the house, and enjoy what’s left of summer right here in the Quiet Corner.
QUIET CORNER TRIVIA🤔
FEATURED EVENT: THE BIG PICK
SPONSORED BY OVERANDOVER
If you like treasure hunting, live music and comedy, Andover has a pretty great Saturday lined up. The Big Pick kicks off August 29 with an estate and salvage sale from 11 AM–4 PM at Over AndOver and Fitch Family Farm, connected by a trail between the two spots. Then stick around at Fitch Family Farm from 4–9 PM for NED the Band followed by comedians Max Dolcelli, Mo Green and Shaquana Cochran. Tickets are $10–$20 at the door, with burgers, dogs and drinks available.
Down Payment Assistance:
There May Be $25K Hiding in Plain Sight
Think you need a massive pile of cash before you can buy a house? Maybe not.
Connecticut's Time To Own program can provide eligible buyers with up to $25,000 toward a down payment and closing costs, with 0% interest and no monthly payment. Even better, 10% of the loan is forgiven each year until it's fully forgiven after 10 years.
And this isn't some old program collecting dust. As of August 17, CHFA reported nearly $18.5 million still available for new reservations.
There are income and eligibility rules, plus other assistance programs available through CHFA, towns and even some employers.
Before assuming you need another year to save, talk with Kimberly Joy. You might qualify for help you didn't know was there.
📣 Want to Reach 6,000+ Local Readers?
We’re looking for a few great local businesses to partner with. If you want to put your business in front of 6,000+ engaged locals who actually want to know what’s happening in their community, we’d love to talk. Get in touch and let’s find a way to get your business noticed.
👉 Interested in partnering with us? Reach out here.
BUZZ & TELL
🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Peter, a 7-year-old Shih Tzu mix who’s house-trained, happy to coexist with other dogs, and really just wants a cozy lap to call his own for his golden years.
🏡House of the week: 🏡 This one feels like your own little country club: 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and 2,142 sq. ft. on just over an acre, complete with an in-ground pool and private tennis court. Add a finished basement, two-car garage and plenty of room to spread out. Check it out!
🔭Sky report: Clear your Thursday night plans because this one is actually worth staying up for. A partial lunar eclipse peaks just after midnight Friday, August 28, with roughly 93% of the Moon’s diameter entering Earth’s dark shadow and potentially taking on a rusty red color. In Connecticut, the partial phase runs roughly 10:34 PM–1:51 AM, with the best view around 12:12 AM.
BUZZWORTHY ACTIVITY: BROOKLYN FAIR
The 176th Brooklyn Fair takes over the Brooklyn Fairgrounds Thursday, Aug. 27 through Sunday, Aug. 30 with carnival rides, livestock shows, tractor pulls, racing pigs, live music and enough fair food to ruin whatever diet you were pretending to be on. Drew Baldridge plays Friday, Cooper Alan headlines Saturday, and kids 12 & under get in free. 15 Fairgrounds Rd., Brooklyn.
BEE LINE EVENTS
TUESDAY (8/25)
Vernon | Shaded Soul Summer Concert | 6:30 PM - Bring a chair and catch Motown, rock, pop and disco at Henry Park’s McCoy Field.
Windham | Self-Guided Historic Tour Maps | Anytime - Explore Windham Center’s old homes, cemeteries, landmarks, and Revolutionary War routes with free self-guided tour maps. Grab them here
WEDNESDAY (8/26)
Dayville | Wicks, Wine, Sip & Socialize: Soy Wax Candle Making | 6 PM | ($) - Pour your own custom candles while sipping local brews at Black Pond Brews. Check It Out
Ellington | Acrylics on Canvas: Hummingbird | 9 AM | ($) - Paint a vibrant hummingbird with step-by-step guidance, no experience needed.). Be There
Willimantic | Tavern Night with Woody Guthrie | 5 PM | ($) - Folk songs and storytelling channeling the legendary troubadour. Join In
THURSDAY (8/27)
Putnam | Straight Up Jazz | 5:30 PM - Smooth jazz to ease you into the evening at the Stomping Ground.
Storrs | Summer Concerts on the Square: FUNKY DAWGZ | 6:30 PM - High-energy brass and funk that'll get you moving. Hear It Live
Vernon | Trivia Night at Spare Time Vernon | 7 PM - Test your knowledge and win prizes (350 Talcottville Rd).
WIllimantic | The Inn Keepers & the Story of Bacchus | 6 PM - Learn about the British soldiers imprisoned in WIndham at the Willimantic Public Library.
FRIDAY (8/28)
Putnam | Music on Main | 5 PM - Free live tunes downtown—bring a chair and good vibes Tune In
Putnam | Claws & Applause - A Lip Sync Battle for Paws Cat Shelter | 6:30 PM | ($) - Lip sync showdown benefiting local cats—drama, laughs, and a great cause. Be There
Stafford | GAF 150 | 8:45 PM - The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour returns to Stafford Speedway for 150 laps under the Friday night lights. Get race-night details here
Woodstock | PYO Sunflower Field | 10 AM–6 PM - Wander the blooms, cut your own sunflowers and catch live music from noon–2 PM at Westview Farm. Pick some sunshine
SATURDAY (8/29)
Canterbury | FAHS Annual Yard Sale | 8 AM - Treasure hunt time—find deals and support local history. Join In
Columbia | Columbia House Tour Through the Ages #1 | 1 PM | ($) - Step inside historic homes and see centuries of local life unfold Check It Out
Hampton | Trail Wood...Stock | 3–6 PM | ($10 suggested donation) - Pack a picnic and enjoy live music on the lawn at the beautiful Trail Wood Memorial Sanctuary. Spend an afternoon at Trail Wood
Hebron | August Fused Glass Class at TFG | 1 PM | ($) - Melt colorful glass into your own art piece—all skill levels welcome. Get Crafty
Thompson | Musicians, Brian & Kate Duo | 4 PM - Acoustic duo bringing mellow Saturday vibes. Rock Out
Tolland | A Fleetwood Mac Candlelight Experience | 6:30 PM | ($) - Classic Fleetwood Mac hits performed by flickering candlelight—pure magic. Catch the Show
SUNDAY (8/30)
Coventry | Hale of a Good Time Letterboxing Event | 10 AM | ($) - Outdoor treasure hunt combining hiking, stamps, and puzzle-solving. Be There
North Grosvenordale | Everything But The Kitchen Sink Swap | 12 PM - Bring your stuff, trade for new-to-you treasures.Check It Out
Plainfield | Beginner Stained Glass Lotus Flower Workshop | 1 PM - Craft a stunning stained glass lotus—perfect for first-timers.. Make It
Plainfield | LIVE MUSIC: T-RAY | 1 PM - Live tunes to go with your ice cream at Hank's.. Listen Up
Putnam | Open Mic Night! | 7 PM - Grab the mic or cheer on local talent at the Stomping Ground.. Be There
Stafford Springs | Shawn Layne – Live Acoustic Rock | 2 PM - Acoustic rock with lakeside views at Four Seasons.Hear It Live
Stafford Springs | Acoustic Sunday's on the Pond with Tom Burgess | 2 PM - Lakeside acoustic tunes at Mill Pond Country Store.Tune In
Woodstock | Nick Bosse | 2 PM - Connecticut country singer Nick Bosse brings a Sunday afternoon set to Taylor Brooke Brewery.
MONDAY (8/31)
Bolton | Bolton Heritage Farm Yoga Series | 10 AM - Stretch and breathe surrounded by farm fields.. Explore
That’s it for this week’s Quiet Corner Buzz. If you got something out of it, please share it with someone who loves secondhand goods!
See ya next week,
Tyler
