Hidden Gems of North-Central Connecticut

TOLLAND, CT — Motorists approaching the junction of Routes 74 and 195 at the Tolland Green see a store called Red & White, but most have no idea about the history of building dating back to the early 19th century.

Tolland Red & White is a small gift shop which sells penny candy and very unique crafted items, from hand carved birds and birdhouses to fine American-made wood toys. The building has a longstanding history of community gathering, and has always been in the retail business.

Danforth Richmond had the idea to build a corner grocery store back in 1815, and 150 years later, was still in operation before shutting down in the 1960s. A few businesses operated in the building until 2015, when Red & White opened.

The store offers a wide array of tasty candy treats, clothing, jewelry (such as necklaces, earrings and bracelets), children's toys, books and vintage style trinkets and accessories.

For up-to-date photos and information about the latest available items and events, check out the Tolland Red & White Facebook page, or visit www.tollandredandwhite.

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The Hidden Gems 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 columns in this series:

• The Packing House
• Cold Harbor Seafood
• Nye Holman State Forest/Heron Cove Park
• Hosmer Mountain Soda Shack
• Connecticut Trolley Museum
• Matterhorn Mini Golf
• Wood Memorial Library & Museum
• Hastings Farm
• Liquid Nirvana
• Iwo Jima Survivors Memorial Park
• Academy Hall
• Southington Drive-In
• Little Theatre of Manchester at Cheney Hall
• Somersvillage Gifts & Gourmet Baskets
• 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