About Berkshire Country Store
Become Part of Our Story
Right in Norfolk, CT, the Berkshire Country Store stands as a bright spot for lovers of the simple, cozy country life. Our crew, raised right here, works hard to make life a bit sweeter for our neighbors. We fill our shelves with goods that add to life in the Northwest Corner. What you say matters to us—it helps us pick just the right items that speak to our hometown spirit. It’s your needs, your ideas, and your tales that give our store its heart. So, the Berkshire Country Store isn’t just a place—it’s a piece of our local community.

Meet Ryan Craig: Beloved Owner of the Berkshire Country Store
Ryan Craig’s journey, rooted in Goshen, CT, is a story of local dedication and entrepreneurial spirit. Raised amidst the close-knit fabric of this community, Ryan honed his passion for service at the original Berkshire Country Store during his formative years. After a stint in corporate retail, his love for genuine interaction and community service called him back, leading to the revival of the Berkshire Country Store in Norfolk, CT, in January 2014. Under his leadership, the store has flourished into a beloved local hub, with a team that exemplifies the pinnacle of customer care. Outside the store, Ryan cherishes moments with his family, a grounding force and joyful counterbalance to his work life.

Our Mission:
At Berkshire Country Store in Norfolk, we do more than just cook meals. We create special moments. Our goal is to make every visit a warm, memorable experience. It’s all about enjoying good food and great company. We love bringing folks together to share laughs and create memories. Our dishes, made with love and the best local ingredients, are just part of our story. Come join us and find joy in every bite, right here in Norfolk.
Our Delectable Offerings at Berkshire:
Indulge in the flavors of Norfolk with Berkshire Country Store’s homemade delights. Each dish is a celebration of Litchfield County’s freshest produce, bringing you a taste of the local harvest. Wander through our aisles to discover a world of artisanal mastery, where every item, from handcrafted goods to unique culinary creations, reflects Norfolk’s rich traditions and innovative spirit. Experience the essence of local craftsmanship and savor the stories woven into every product on our shelves.

From Our Patrons' Hearts: Stories Shared at Berkshire
FIVE STARS!

Who the heck is this guy?
The Story of John O’ The Woods
They called him John O’ the Woods. No one, it seems, knew his real name or where he called home. Yet he became one of the most colorful and beloved characters in nineteenth-century Northwest Connecticut. John was a wanderer. Dubbed one of the true “knights of the road” by local villagers, he showed up in Norfolk (or, as he’d say, NorFORK) on a seemingly regular basis seeking the generosity and hospitality of the town—particularly the good food and conviviality to be found at the Berkshire Country Store.
An entertaining conversationalist, John could often be found in his favorite window seat in the Berkshire establishment’s popular “readin’, restin’ and relaxin’ corner” perusing the latest issue of Norfolk Now and spinning tales of, shall we say, questionable reliability, as fellow travelers and Norfolkians alike listened intently. He was, so he claimed, the sole survivor of Norfolk’s dark and ancient past and the only living witness to the “true facts.” Not surprisingly, the hero of his oft’ told “true” stories was usually none other than… John O’ the Woods!
One of the most oft’ told was the history of Norfolk’s Greenwoods Theater (now Infinity Hall). According to John, the hall was put up for the main purpose of presenting to all of Connecticut his self-proclaimed “virchi-osity” on the old and rare three-string catgut fiddle. Such delight it brought the townsfolk when John lit into a rousing chorus of Stars and Stripes Forever. Oddly, no one can recall ever hearing John play anything but the Sousa tune-over and over and over. Stars and Strips Forever and ever.
Another so-called true tale told of John’s close friendship (“Like brothers, we were”) with the world famous Mark Twain, who in those days visited Norfolk every summer and spent a fair amount of time at the Berkshire Country Store enjoying strong coffee and good cigars. According to John, Twain’s best-selling collection of Mississippi River stories was, in fact, “borrowed” from his own “Life on the Blackberry.” Who knew!
Well, there are just too many legends to tell you here but let it be remembered that, for John, Norfolk was the home he never had and the Berkshire Country Store the refuge from reality that sustained him. Indeed, our sleepy little town never failed to give John “what he wanted” and “what he needed.” And to this very day, that’s the Berkshire Country Store’s promise to you.
Image courtesy of the Norfolk Historical Society
Above story, not so much.