October 28, 2026To the Community:
As the owner of an independent Vermont business, I want to share what it means when our neighbors choose to support local.
Every time you visit a locally owned shop or restaurant, you’re doing more than making a purchase. You’re supporting jobs, families, suppliers, and the character of our communities.
At Black Cap Coffee, we see this connection every day. Our coffee is roasted 20 miles away in Wolcott. Our milk comes from Vermont cows through Mansfield Dairy, our maple syrup from a neighboring farm, and our pastries are made from scratch in our Waterbury bakery. We showcase local artists and craftspeople, offering handcrafted gifts that reflect Vermont’s creativity. Behind every purchase is a network of local livelihoods.
Running an independent business isn’t easy. Rising costs, staffing challenges, and competition from national chains with enormous purchasing power and the cost efficiencies of large, centralized food factories are everyday realities. The resulting products are hardly comparable. Our prices reflect the real costs of operating in Vermont while we strive to offer quality products, fairly compensate our team and provide meaningful employee benefits.
We know we’re not perfect. Sometimes lines are long, products sell out, or we fall short of expectations. We take those moments seriously. Behind every small business are people working hard and caring about their community.
Large corporations have their place, and everyone deserves to choose where to spend their money. But our choices shape the economic future of our towns, their appearance, character and identity. Independent businesses help preserve distinctive storefronts, vibrant village centers and Vermont’s unique sense of place.
Independent businesses in Stowe, Waterbury, Morrisville and surrounding communities cannot survive on tourism alone. We need our neighbors year-round, especially during quieter seasons.
Supporting local doesn’t mean spending beyond your means or shopping exclusively at independent businesses. Sometimes it’s choosing a neighborhood café over a chain or recommending a locally owned restaurant to a friend.
When you support a local business, you’re supporting an entire community.
To everyone who has visited us, brought a friend, offered encouragement, or made us part of your routine: thank you. Your support means more than you may realize.
Together, we can preserve the independent spirit, personal connections and sense of community that make Vermont special.
Laura Vilalta
Stowe
Laura Vilalta is the owner of Black Cap Coffee.