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Since opening Alleor Creations & Apothecary last fall, the couple has been steadily building a destination for people interested in natural wellness, handcrafted goods and a slower, more intentional way of living.
The family-owned business, located at 115 Rockingham St., just a short walk from the Bellows Falls village center, grew out of the Allards’ desire to create a different pace of life while working together and homeschooling their daughter Lexi.
That learning environment carries directly into the business itself. Inside the shop, “Lexi’s Corner” occupies a small but intentional space filled with squishmallows, hats, and nail sets. The area serves multiple roles: a workspace, a learning environment, and a place where Lexi actively participates in the rhythm of the store while also having room to be a kid.
Because of that integration, the shop functions on more than one level—part retail space, part classroom, and part family workspace—creating an atmosphere where customers often experience not just products, but a glimpse into a working family’s day-to-day life.
Visitors who step through the door will find shelves stocked with handcrafted herbal products, locally made artisan goods, crystals, plants, jewelry and gifts.
“We wanted a place where people could come in, slow down and feel at home,” Ryan Allard said.
At the center of the business is the apothecary itself, where Emily Allard creates many of the products sold in the shop. Drawing inspiration from traditional herbal remedies, the store offers tinctures, tea blends, salves, lotions, balms and other botanical-based wellness products.
Among the most popular items are pain-relief products, including tinctures made with white willow bark and wild lettuce, along with passionflower tinctures that customers often seek out for relaxation and nervous system support.
One of the shop’s signature offerings is its “Chill the F Out” loose leaf tea blend, a calming herbal tea designed to help customers unwind and reset after a stressful day. Another customer favorite is the shop’s pain-relief rollers, which have become frequent repeat purchases.
The website showcases a growing collection of handcrafted wellness products, including herbal botanical body care items and natural remedies made with plant-based ingredients. Customers can also find handcrafted lotions, salves and skin-care products made with herbs such as calendula, a flower long valued in herbal traditions for its soothing properties. Similar calendula-based products are often used to help moisturize and comfort dry or irritated skin.
But Alleor is about more than herbal products.
The store also serves as a showcase for local and regional artisans. Handmade wire-wrapped jewelry created by Ryan Allard shares shelf space with candles, soaps, skincare products, sun catchers and other handcrafted goods from independent makers.
“We’re always looking for new products and local vendors that align with what we have going on and help us continue building something special for the community,” Emily Allard said.
Visitors will also find an extensive collection of crystals ranging from inexpensive pocket stones to large display pieces, along with houseplants and plant-care supplies. A dedicated metaphysical section has expanded in response to customer demand and now features products geared toward spiritual and energy-focused practices.
One of the most unique aspects of the business is its emphasis on community events. What began as occasional gatherings has quickly evolved into a regular schedule of activities that bring customers back week after week.
Plant bingo and crystal bingo nights have become particularly popular, often filling the shop’s intimate event space. The Allards also host workshops and plan to expand offerings with classes focused on natural remedies, jewelry-making and foraging.
Emily Allard hopes future plant walks and educational outings will help connect people not only with nature but with one another.
The shop’s welcoming atmosphere appears to be resonating. Customers frequently comment on the calming energy of the space, with many stopping simply to browse, relax and explore.
While the business serves customers throughout the Bellows Falls area, its reach extends well beyond Vermont. Through its online store, Alleor ships products across the country, helping introduce its handcrafted creations to customers far from the Connecticut River Valley.
Emily hopes the shop continues to serve as a place where people can connect, learn and share experiences.
“I want to find ways to bring people together, whether it’s through workshops, plant walks or just conversations in the shop,” she said. “We can all learn from each other, and that sense of community is really what this is all about.”