View Finder: A Peek Inside Goodspeed's Country Store

You've driven past it 1,000 times on your way over the humming Swing Bridge into Haddam. Perhaps you've stopped in — or made a mental note to do so the next time. If you don't know the allure of this special shop, get thee there straightaway — because every visit is like uncovering a handful of gold dubloons at the Goodspeed's Station Country Store at 22 Bridge Road.

This is the anti-Wal-Mart.

When we visited last, we gabbed with owner Kris Pszczolkowski and self-described "number one customer" Sean Rush of Higganum, who has shopped at the Station for at least 10 years.

"We wiped out their inventory," Rush says. "If you want to see the best [of the Station's offerings], you should see our house. We have more of [the] inventory in our house."

We spied olive oil soaps, hand-dipped candles scented with cranberries, balsam, pears and sandlewood, handmade chocolate truffles, penny candies — and so much more.

For information, call (860) 345-7322.