Hidden Gems of North-Central Connecticut

SOMERS, CT — Our latest installment of a periodic series on Patch sites in north-central Connecticut highlighting "hidden gems" throughout the region features a unique store which is small in space, but large in terms of quality products.

Somersvillage Gifts & Gourmet Baskets is located on a busy road - Route 190 in the Somersville section of Somers, or Main Street to locals. Its small stature on the edge of a small three-business building may cause one to drive right past, but lurking behind the door is a veritable treasure trove of gift items.

Owner Fred Romano carries a wide variety of gifts including cards, candles, pottery, wine glasses, soaps, lotions, seasonal home and garden decorations. A Gourmet Pantry features an extensive selection of relishes, salsa, jams, jellies and preserves, plus the store's own gourmet line of foods such as bread, muffins, scone mixes, bread dipping oils and a wide variety of dips.

Gift baskets of all varieties and sizes are custom-made on the premises. Other popular items are Tiffany lamps, memory ornaments and garden stones.

Somersvillage Gifts & Gourmet Baskets is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.somersvillagegifts.com.

This series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path. Do you have a favorite "hidden gem" in the area that you wish to see featured in this column? Email your ideas to tim.jensen@patch.com.

Other recent columns in this series:

• New England Civil War Museum
• The Pinchot Sycamore
• Stafford Palace Theater
• Mansfield Hollow State Park
• Old Tolland County Jail and Museum
• Hill-Stead Museum
• Mark's Restaurant