About Us
Stardust Books and Cafe, located on Craftsbury Common, VT, was started in 2001 as a satallite of Galaxy Bookshop in Hardwick, VT. In the winter of 2009, Stardust broke away from the Galaxy, incorporating with The Art House Gallery, Studio & School to become a non-profit organization called The Common Place.
Stardust has always been a community bookshop and cafe. But in February 2012, renovations will begin on the inside of the building to make it even more than that. As a non-profit organization aiming to cultivate the creative interests of youth and adults in the Northeast Kingdom, Stardust and The Art House will consolidate the mission-related programming at the more central of their two locations.
Renovations will allow us to put the cafe, gallery, classroom, and artisan consignment shop all together in Stardust. When Stardust re-opens in May, 2012, visitors will be able to browse artwork or artisan gifts while they enjoy a cup of Vermont Coffee Company coffee or Vermont Liberty tea. If they bring their own laptop, they could check their email or skype with a friend. Second Saturday workshops will take place in the classroom, so parents can enjoy that cup of coffee while their kids do an art project in the classroom. Our book collection will greatly decrease, but we will have current titles sold through Galaxy Bookshop, once again. As always, used book sales will fund the Stardust Graduation Award, $150 given to a graduating Craftsbury Academy senior.
Our non-profit needs the support of the community in order to flourish. If you would like to volunteer
click here for a list of ways that you can help.
Why Volunteer?
As part of The Common Place, Inc., a community non-profit, Stardust Books needs community support to thrive. Volunteering is a great way to:
- meet new people
- learn new skills
- gain experience that you can put on your resume.
Volunteers also receive discounted rates as thanks for their service.
If you would like to volunteer one day a week or two days per month in the cafe, please email Sarah Mutrux, Volunteer Executive Director, at vtarthouse@gmail.com.
What do volunteers do?
- Make coffee and espresso drinks
- General cleaning tasks
- Use the cash register and credit card machine to conduct transactions
- Interact with and help customers
- Give information about the artists represented in the store, upcoming events, and classes
- Help with inventory and pricing of new products
Other ways to volunteer: hang posters for events and classes, help take care of window boxes in the summer, help take recycling to the recycling center in Craftsbury Village, and more.
