You’re driving up Route 100. The trees are starting to blur into that specific shade of New England green—or orange, if you’ve timed the leaf-peeping rush right—and your stomach starts doing that thing. It’s not quite hunger. It’s a craving for salt, fat, and maybe a little bit of sharp tang. Most people think they have to trek all the way to the actual farm in Cabot to get the "real" experience. Honestly? They’re wrong. The Cabot Creamery store in Waterbury is where the magic actually happens for the casual traveler. It is located right in the heart of Vermont's "specialty food corridor," sitting comfortably alongside heavy hitters like Ben & Jerry's and Lake Champlain Chocolates.
It’s a hub. It’s a cheese-tasting marathon. It’s a place where you can walk in feeling peckish and walk out knowing exactly why Vermont cheddar has a global reputation that puts most grocery store blocks to shame.
What’s the Deal with the Waterbury Location?
The first thing you need to realize is that this isn't the factory. If you want to see the massive stainless steel vats and the industrial-scale cheesemaking, you’d head to the Northeast Kingdom. But for the rest of us—the people who want the curated selection, the rare vintages, and the local pairings—the Cabot Creamery store in Waterbury is the sweet spot. It's officially known as the Cabot Farmers' Store.
Why does that matter? Because it’s a co-operative.
When you buy a block of Seriously Sharp here, you aren't just padding the pockets of a faceless conglomerate. You’re supporting about 600 farm families across New England and New York. That’s a lot of cows. It’s a lot of early mornings. You can feel that heritage when you walk through the doors. The smell hits you first—a mix of aged wood, cold air, and that unmistakable lactic sharpness of high-end dairy.
The Tasting Table: A Survival Guide
Most people walk straight to the back. That’s where the sampling happens. On a busy Saturday, it’s a bit of a scrum, but it’s worth it. They usually have a spread of their "Legacy Collection" and the classic waxed bars.
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Here is a pro tip: Don't just grab a cube and move on.
The Cabot Creamery store in Waterbury often features limited-run cheeses you won't find at your local Kroger or Wegmans. Look for the Alpine Cheddar. It’s this weirdly perfect hybrid that has the grit and nuttiness of a Parmesan but the meltability of a traditional cheddar. It’s a sleeper hit. Or the Orne Meadows, which is part of their specialty line. If they have the Clothbound Cheddar (which is actually aged at the nearby Cellars at Jasper Hill), buy it. Don’t look at the price. Just put it in your basket. It’s earthy, crumbly, and tastes like the Vermont soil in the best way possible.
The staff here generally know their stuff. They aren't just cashiers; they’re often cheese enthusiasts who can tell you exactly why the 3-year vintage has those little crunchy crystals (they're calcium lactate crystals, by the way, not salt).
Beyond the Block
It’s not just cheese. If it were, it’d just be a refrigerated warehouse. The store functions as a curated gallery for Vermont’s entire food scene. You’ve got local honey that’s so dark it looks like molasses. There’s maple syrup, obviously. But look for the weird stuff. Look for the spicy pepper jellies designed specifically to be dumped over a brick of cream cheese or paired with a sharp white cheddar.
They also stock a massive selection of Vermont craft beers and ciders. Since the Alchemist brewery is just up the road in Stowe, and places like Foam Brewers or Lawson’s Finest Liquids are within striking distance, the cooler at the Cabot Creamery store in Waterbury is usually packed with "whale" beers that people travel hundreds of miles to find. You can basically build the world’s best charcuterie board without leaving the building.
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The Logistics of a Visit
Let's talk about the "Waterbury Center" reality. This area gets busy. Like, "busload of tourists from Jersey" busy.
- Timing is everything. If you show up at 11:00 AM on a Saturday in October, you’re going to be shoulder-to-shoulder with people wearing brand-new flannel shirts. Try to hit it on a Tuesday morning. It’s quiet. You can actually talk to the staff.
- Bring a cooler. It sounds obvious, but people forget. You’re going to buy the 2-pound block of Seriously Sharp because it’s a bargain. If you’re driving back to Boston or New York, that cheese is going to get sad and oily in a hot trunk.
- The "Seconds" Bin. Sometimes they have ends and pieces or slightly "off-weight" blocks for a deep discount. It’s the same high-quality cheese, just not "pretty." If you’re just going to grate it for mac and cheese anyway, this is where you save the big bucks.
Why This Place Actually Matters
In a world where everything is being homogenized and sold through massive online portals, the Cabot Creamery store in Waterbury feels anchored. It’s a physical manifestation of a specific regional identity. Vermont has very strict laws about what can be called "Vermont Cheddar." It has to be made in Vermont, from Vermont milk, and it can’t have any of those weird fillers.
Cabot has been around since 1919. That’s over a century of people figuring out how to turn grass and sunlight (via cows) into something that can last through a long, brutal winter. When you’re standing in that store, you’re looking at a survival strategy that turned into a luxury product.
There’s also the community aspect. Because it’s a co-op, the profits go back to the farmers. In an era where dairy farming is becoming increasingly difficult due to fluctuating milk prices, the Cabot brand is a lifeline for these small operations. Visiting the Waterbury store isn't just about getting a snack; it's a vote for a specific type of agriculture.
The Surprising Stuff You Didn't Expect
Most folks don't realize that Cabot makes more than just cheddar. Their Greek yogurt is legitimately some of the best in the country—thick enough to stand a spoon in. And the butter? The 82% fat "extra creamy" butter is a game changer for bakers.
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And then there's the merch. It sounds cheesy (pun intended), but their "World's Best Cheddar" shirts and vintage-style kitchen gear are actually high quality. It’s the kind of stuff you actually use rather than letting it gather dust in a drawer.
Making the Most of the Neighborhood
If you're making the trip to the Cabot Creamery store in Waterbury, you’d be crazy not to do the full loop.
- Ben & Jerry’s Factory: It’s literally minutes away. Go for the Flavor Graveyard.
- Cold Hollow Cider Mill: About a mile up the road. Their cider donuts are the gold standard. Seriously. Don't skip them.
- Prohibition Pig: If you need a real meal after all that cheese, this is the spot in downtown Waterbury for BBQ and incredible house-brewed beer.
Honestly, the whole stretch of Route 100 is a gauntlet for your diet. But if you're going to do it, do it right. Start at the Cabot store to get your savory fix before you drown yourself in maple syrup and ice cream elsewhere.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re planning a trip, don't just wing it. Check the official Cabot Creamery website or their social media before you head out. They sometimes host special events or "Meet the Farmer" days at the Waterbury location where you can actually talk to the people who produce the milk.
Also, look into their "Reward Voluntarily" program. It’s a cool initiative where they reward people for volunteering in their local communities. It’s very "Vermont."
When you get there, ask the person behind the counter: "What's something you have today that isn't in the supermarkets?" That one question will usually lead you to a small-batch white cheddar or a smoked variety that will ruin grocery store cheese for you forever.
Pack a cold bag, bring your appetite, and maybe leave the calorie counter at home for the day. You're in the land of dairy now.