Toys and Beer in Manchester, CT

What I love about the brewery culture of 2019 is that craft beer seems literally everywhere! As a consumer, and an explorer, this is superb for me. I can take my kids places that they’ll enjoy, but find a quick stop off for me afterward. This is exactly the case with my latest Backyard Road Trip to Manchester, Connecticut. The two stops, Time Machine Hobby Shop, and 2nd Bridge Brewing Company are a great example of this, and are both literally on the same road! (Both are also housed mill buildings!) I decided on the tagline “Toys and Beer” since it describes this trip perfectly.

The Time Machine Hobby Shop

I’ve been familiar with the truly amazing Time Machine Hobby Shop since researching for my second book, More Connecticut Lore. Learning about this store made it part of an investigative trip through north-central CT. This is simply the finest toy store around. It’s two floors of a factory dedicated solely to toys and collectibles. Since my older son was born, it has been an (at least) annual event to make a pilgrimage to Time Machine.

The first floor is loaded with all things toys. This ranges from bouncy balls and squishy things to action figures, games, workbooks, model kits, wooden train sets, basically something for every child (or child-like adult to some extent). The second floor is one-stop model train shopping, meaning electric trains. A group of model train enthusiasts meets here to run certain gauged trains (see their linked website for details) often. There are model trains on-site and a room towards the back of the upstairs which is an enormous train track winding its way through various terrains. Other less extensive, but still quite impressive train sets, are on display on this floor too.

So. Many. Toys.

Due to the age of my kids, as well as their desire or ability to walk, we stayed on the first floor for this adventure. Granted we were here also to buy presents for family friends’ children as well. Still, my older son walked away with quite a lot (probably too much) loot. He was stricken with joy at the sight of Buzz Lightyear (which of course now that it’s home, has been sitting on the coffee table). He then wanted a water magic book, a set (no not just one) of monster trucks and then (my choice) Major League Baseball Mad Libs. My younger son (not that he really has an opinion at five months) walked away with a Fisher-Price rolling turtle and Mr. Happy book (since usually he is Mr. Happy unless teething or inflicted with an ear infection) of the Mr. Men series (another of my choices).

The store’s selection is impressive. Random games that I haven’t seen since the 1980s are here, unopened. It may be a dollar or two more to shop here than in the big box stores, but I’d GLADLY pay just a little more to shop here than at those stores, or the mall. I had only equated Manchester, Connecticut, with mall shopping (Buckland Hills) for the majority of my existence. Cue Jonathan Richman. Pretty neat too, that this store used to be a soap factory.

First toys and now beer!

The second stop of our trip is 2nd Bridge Brewing Company. I knew what to expect, that it was housed in another old mill, albeit on the creepier side. The first reaction in seeing the multiple storied megalithic building in the distance, my mother from the back street sighed “not one of these places again.” (I think she was referring to an ill-fated trip for lunch in Erie, PA over ten years ago.) 

The Oldest Woolen Mill Site in America

The brewery is housed in the former Hilliard Mills which heralds itself as the site of the oldest woolen mill in the good ol’ U S of A. As much as history is cool, and I like it and often talk about it (cue a plug for my upcoming book “A History Lover’s Guide to the South Shore”) I was (and am) in need of a beer! For the historical stuff, check out Hilliard Mills’ website. Stepping into the cavernous space of 2nd Bridge was less daunting than I thought. Viewing pictures online it seemed as if it were less than well marked but this is certainly NOT true. 2nd Bridge has done a fine job of labeling its entrance and providing a pleasantly landscaped and designed entryway and surrounding grounds.

It is located in the basement of the old mill (without kids and parents in tow, I would have loved to poke around a bit more in the complex, since much of it still looked to be in some kind of operation, but not glitzily rehabbed from the outside). Upon descending the stairs, the two rooms of the brewery that are open to the public are reminiscent of an English pub, as soccer (football) scarves and memorabilia decorate the main room. We sat in the first room as it was quieter had more room to play with Buzz Lightyear. Our table also came equipped with Connect 4. 

Hard to decide what to try

I ordered a flight, my dad a cherry stout, and my mom a Saison. The Saison was light and typical of that style. My two IPAs were both solid and so was the Hold On Up With a Minute witbier. I enjoyed all of my samples and the sip of Ophilia’s Choco Stout that my dad selected. (Fruit in stout works in my opinion.) The bartender was friendly, the vibe relaxed, almost reminiscent of Cheers, with, presumably, mostly locals at the bar or getting their growlers filled. 

I was very happy to try 2nd Bridge and believe it will become part of my repertoire when visiting Time Machine Hobby Shop, along with the infamously amazing cheeseburgers (think fried crispy cheese) at Shady Glen. (I love that they don’t actually have a website and had to link Wikipedia.) Next time it will be toys and beer and cheeseburgers. 

In conclusion…. a fun trip for toys and beer!

What’s great about visiting almost anywhere these days is that uniqueness abounds! Toys and beer was the perfect combination. There is so much more to experience by getting off of the miracle mile main drag and into the deep roots of each place, even when it’s in your own backyard!

Click here and here for more CT sites.