THE NEW SIMON PEARCE STORE IN MANCHESTER BEAUTIFULLY SHOWCASES THE DESIGNER’S TIMELESS PIECES.
STORY BY BENJAMIN LERNER
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY SIMON PEARCE
In the heart of Manchester on Depot Street, the new Simon Pearce store offers direct access to the wondrous world of Vermont artisan glasswork in a stylish and elevated setting. Walking through the space, visitors are greeted with beautiful glass pieces from the Simon Pearce collection, as well as thoughtfully-designed spaces with gorgeous decorative fixtures. Open to the public since August 2024, the Simon Pearce store has been warmly embraced by the Manchester community, offering an opportunity for both locals and visitors to explore Simon Pearce’s collection of exquisite glassware while immersing themselves in the story behind the brand.
“We’re delighted to open a store in Manchester,” notes Jen Smith, Simon Pearce’s Vice President of Retail. “The two-story space allows us to really showcase our aesthetic and the breadth of our collection—handmade barware, glass trees, and more—and we are in excellent company here at Manchester Designer Outlets.”
The opening marks Simon Pearce’s thirteenth store in the U.S., a meaningful addition to the brand’s growing portfolio of Vermont stores. Both locals and out-of-state visitors, many already familiar with the brand, have shown great enthusiasm for the space. According to Smith, some have echoed sentiments like, “this is just what Manchester needed.” Others have expressed how they love bringing a piece of Vermont home with them.
Smith explains that Manchester was a natural fit for Simon Pearce’s newest location, largely due to the town’s established status as a celebrated Vermont tourism and retail destination. Smith elaborates: “We have a lot of customers who live here or visit here seasonally, and they know us well from other markets. When the opportunity arose, it made perfect sense. It’s exciting to share our story with a new audience, while also welcoming those who are already familiar with the brand.”
Smith adds that Simon Pearce’s product offerings epitomize functional sophistication. Every alluring glass piece reflects the brand’s commitment to quality. “Our products are all designed to be equally beautiful and practical. Simon has always believed that people should use these pieces every day, not just keep them for special occasions. Everything we make is handcrafted. In a world where everything is becoming more mechanized, people are really drawn to the authenticity of something that is made by hand.”
The Simon Pearce store in Manchester presents wonderful selections from a wide array of Pearce’s product lines. Key highlights include the Ascutney barware line, featuring the bestselling Ascutney Double Old-Fashioned glasses. “These glasses have become a staple of our collection,” notes Smith. “People love the feel of them in their hands—it’s something that really embodies our approach to design.” In contrast, the newly introduced Nick & Nora cocktail glasses bring a fresh touch, with their slender shape and form inspired by the beloved movie, The Thin Man. “The Nick & Nora glasses are really special—they’re a nod to vintage cocktail culture.”
Additional standout products include a wide selection of glass trees, which are available in a wide range of sizes and styles. These trees are expressions of Simon Pearce’s ability to transform simple, natural forms into pieces of art. “Our glass trees are a definite favorite,” says Smith. “What’s lovely is that they’re not just for the holidays. People keep them out all year long,” says Smith. “You can create a whole forest in your home, or you can select just the right one as a perfect Holiday gift or statement piece.”
In addition to the glass trees, the store highlights collections that draw direct inspiration from Vermont’s towns and landscapes. The Echo Lake collection, for instance, captures the transition of Vermont’s seasons, evoking the look of melting ice on a frozen lake. “James Murray, our VP of Design, takes so much inspiration from Vermont’s natural beauty,” says Smith. “Echo Lake is a perfect example of that—the cracked texture really reminds you of the ice at the end of the winter.”
Standout products from the Woodstock and Shoreham collections also serve as tributes to the Green Mountain State’s bucolic landscapes and towns, with shapes and lines that summon the essence of Vermont’s most charming destinations. Smith adds that the Simon Pearce Manchester collection was actually inspired by a visit that Murray made to Manchester years ago. “It was long before we even thought about opening a store here,” shares Smith. “He sketched the lines of the glass after a dinner in town, and now we have a full product line that pays homage to that moment.”
The thoughtful curation of the Manchester store extends beyond just the namesake collections. Their range of “seconds” allows visitors to find slightly-imperfect, handcrafted glass pieces at a more accessible price point. “What’s so great about the seconds is that they showcase the handmade nature of our products,” says Smith. “Customers love finding these unique pieces with subtle variations, and sometimes it’s hard to even spot why a piece is considered a second. It makes Simon Pearce accessible to more people without compromising the beauty or integrity of the craft.”
Simon Pearce’s overarching artistic vision is marvelously manifested through the design of the Manchester store. The two-story layout is anchored by walnut shelving, neutral tones inspired by the raw clay used in pottery, and a central checkout desk made from repurposed wooden molds from the Simon Pearce workshop. The Caledonia Chandelier overhead casts a soft glow, and its hand-blown glass globes and hand-wrought metal base came together as the result of an ongoing collaboration between Simon Pearce and fellow Vermont artisan brand, Hubbardton Forge. “Neil Cockwill, our Director of Forms, has been with Simon Pearce for decades,” says Smith. “He built the checkout desk using molds that have been retired from the workshop. It’s a striking centerpiece, and it’s also a great conversation starter for customers as they learn about the craft process.”
The Manchester store also offers wooden bowls and trees crafted by Andrew Pearce, Simon Pearce’s eldest son. These cherry and black walnut trees nicely complement the glass products, showcasing how Simon and Andrew have created an enduring family legacy through their work. In addition to Andrew Pearce’s wooden trees, the store features a variety of other carefully selected, non-glass items that enhance the overall aesthetic and visitor experience. One notable offering is Way of Living, a visually-compelling coffee table book written by Simon and his wife, Pia, which delves into the brand’s connection to Vermont life. “The book is really a reflection of Simon and Pia’s lifestyle—simple, intentional, and focused,” says Smith. The book also includes personal essays and recipes from the Simon Pearce restaurant in Quechee. It serves as a lovely way to learn more about the story behind the brand. Smith notes, “It’s something that people love taking home as a keepsake, or even as a gift.”
The Simon Pearce store at Manchester Designer Outlets is not just a fantastic place to shop—it’s a profound testament to the integrity and strength of Vermont’s artisan craft community. “We’re very happy to be here,” says Smith. “We’re grateful to be able to welcome visitors into our community in the same way that we’ve been welcomed in Manchester.”