Comstock Ferre & Co

Local gifts. Unique historical building! Great story. This is a great place to stop by any time of the year!
My understanding is that this is the oldest seed library in the United States. Recently, it was converted into a multi-​faceted gift and antiques store. While the prices are a little on the higher side, all items are unique and most items seem to be local.
As you walk in, the seed library sits in the far back, right hand corner. Peruse the aisles to discover heirloom varieties of what could an adventurous garden endeavor!
Surrounding this is a collection of aforementioned gifts — everything from homemade honey and began recipe books, to found objects converted into artistic lamps and all the bulbs in the world that you would need. Like I said, unique. And a wide selection.
Don’t miss the antiques shop in the second floor! There’s also a women’s boutique up there, but that part is not as exciting.
This place is super cool. You’re in for a treat!

This place is perfect for some gardeners. It’s short, sweet and absolutely to the point; this is the place to stop in for bulbs and seeds for almost anything you want to grow.

Not open on Saturdays?! Went yesterday to get some supplies and was absolutely astonished. There were hoards of people walking around Old Wethersfield; I suspect if Comstock were open they would do very, very well on Saturdays. Just my thought though. Other than the fact that they are not open on Saturdays, I do love this store. Seeds galore, and I love the historic feel. Plenty of parking on street and in the small lot.

Amazing store! I felt like I was going back in time when I walked in. There’s a whole lot of heirloom seeds to be had here. Wrong end of the growing season for my visit, but I’ll certainly be back for seeds and plants when it’s time. Got some food and candy instead.
We ventured up to the second level and found their antique area. I’m afraid this is their «best kept secret». Lots of antiques and furniture to see on this level. They have lighting up there also that’s made from antiques. Very unique and very interesting.

As a town resident, I’ve been here a few times and figured I would offer my 2 cents. For the avid gardener, a place that specializes in unique seeds must be awesome. I must confess that I’ve walked the seed area and thought about how cool it would be to grow a few of the interesting fruits /​vegetables /​herbs they have available. But then, I remember that it’s not as easy as just sprinkling the seeds on dirt, adding water, and presto! I don’t think Comstock offers this, but they would really benefit from offering classes or beginner’s kits for gardening. Otherwise, it’s a an interesting, but daunting venture for the casual customer.
The place itself is a historic treasure and worth a walk through if you’re in town and they are open. They do sell antiques and other locally produced «farmer’s market» type products that don’t require a green thumb. In season, you will also find various plants for sale at the front entrance which I believe are grown from the seed they sell in the store… A nice head start for your garden. There are lots of nooks and crannies to explore around the building which is interesting in itself.
Final note, I believe the place will generally have 1 person working the entire place in colonial garb. When you pay, the person behind the counter is generally tallying your order on pen /​paper with a calculator. Generally, this means that the person behind the counter is always too busy to entertain a question on the products in the store. Again, given the nature of the store, it would be nice to have someone available to talk to about the product and provide some guidance on how to move forward… Either hire someone else to walk the floor and help customers or bring your point of sale system into the 21^st century to make the clerk’s life a bit easier.

I have yet to visit the store itself, but have ordered from their on-​line catalog. I’ve been ordering from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds for years, and the same family has now purchased Comstock & Ferre.
Beautiful catalog; interesting selection of heirloom veggies, herbs and plants; all non-​GMO seeds; easy ordering; quick turn-​around; good customer service; free gift seed package included even with my small order; and FREE SHIPPPING!
While in this first year of new ownership, the selection is not as big as Baker Creek, they have some of the same seeds in both catalogs, and some new items from Comstock that Baker Creek doesn’t have. Looking forward to visiting the store in person this summer.

Re-​opening. Amish types fixing the barnes and new owners in Amish type garb… not my thing, but ok… Exactly how many people buy massive amounts of seeds. I used to go for the rose plants and perennials and there was a nice gift shop prior.

Just received a postcard that the place was purchased and is being renovated by Baker Creek Seed Company, purveyor of heirloom seeds! They plan to bring back traditional seed varieties from New England! Now I an go in person and not just purchase from the catalog!
Baker =

cool old histroic buildings, not too many seeds when i was there today but it is sort of off-​season, i want to come back in a few weeks when hopefully there is more going on with plants and seeds here. bought a few packages of seeds.
all the reviews on here were from years ago and talking about them closing down. seems they are still here. if you like plants, seeds, gardening, etc it seems like a cool place to stop if you are in the area.

This is a favorite garden center for me. I’m a professional gardener and use their services often. I find their plant quality to be high and their selection great. They also have great sales in the fall. They’re not going anywhere.

Update: Oooh rumors, rumors, and more rumors about this place. Okay so I have heard that they are looking to sell. I have heard one rumor that this place will turn condo, I have heard another rumor that this place will be torn down and be rebuilt into retail stores. What have you heard? By the way, they are still in business and it would be a shame for them to leave town!
This is a great place to get heirloom plants and seedlings as well as the regular garden varieties of veggie/​fruit plants/​trees. This past spring I bought green zebras, brandywines, mannys, and persimmons. I also bought different kinds of basil, nasturtiums, and parsley. Due to the rainy summer we had, I did not get much from my garden, but what I was able to pick was incredible! Their plants are high quality and the staff is quite knowledgeable. I must admit however, for the non-​heirloom plants there are much cheaper places to go.

Comstock, Ferre is the oldest continuously operating seed company in the country. It was established in 1820 by James Lockwood Belden as the Wethersfield Seed Company. The original tin signs adorn the buildings to this day. In more than a century and a half of business, the company has seen several transitions from local garden supplier to wholesaler and back to a wider retail operation. The company was expanded when Franklin Comstock and his son William succeeded Belden and were later joined by Henry Ferre. William Comstock brought great innovation and growth to the seed industry. The Comstocks had contact with a Shaker village located in nearby Enfield. William adopted their idea of packing seed in ‘papers’ and developed the scroll border still used today on our herb packets. In 1853 the seed house was incorporated as Comstock, Ferre & Co. Customers who visit our store will find rows of old oak rocker bins and tin lined oak drawers which to this day hold our seed stock.
Stephen F. Willard began work at Comstock, Ferre in 1871 as a ‘traveler’ distributing commission seed boxes throughout New England. He was one of the founders of the American Seed Trade Association in 1883 and became its president in 1904. He served as Comstock, Ferre’s president from 1898 to 1924. At that time Comstock, Ferre grew many varieties of seed that were sold wholesale to other seed companies and distributors. Much of the seed was grown on the company farm in Wethersfield. The business was run by four generations of Willards through most of the 1900’s. In 1958 Comstock, Ferre began its retail seed business and garden center.
Comstock, Ferre is also one of the oldest garden centers in Connecticut. Visitors to our garden center will find over 2000 varieties of perennial plants, including hundreds of alpines and unusual tender perennials. We have an extensive selection of roses, trees, shrubs and vines, and our garden center offers a full line of garden supplies. We emphasize that we are reliable horticultural specialists and are generous in our response to questions, not only in our store, but by mail, e-​mail and telephone as well.