I just read that this is a poor (non-drop) resupply. True? I was planning on a local resupply…
Also, I read that bugs come out real bad after Kent, CT…
Dawg
Kent, CT - Appalachian Trail
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#2
There’s a grocery in Kent, maybe an IGA? I don’t remember what their prices were like, but I did resupply there. Also check out the beer/wine store as they were giving out free drinks to thru hikers in '03 (ask to sign the map if it’s still there) 
Later!
-S-
Skittles
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#4
The Supermarket in Kent does have a good selection of “hiker food”, at least it did on my 02’ hike when I re-supplied there. I recall them having many different varieties of lipton noodles and sauce.
Jersey Joe
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#5
yEAH, the Supermarket IGA was there this yr, right next to the PO and across from the laundramat. The resupply here is quite good, I had no problems. The prices are not much more than your average supermarket. I think since its the first NEW england town it comes as a shock to some folks, but you’ll get used to them yankee prices 
A-Train
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#6
We caught a ride into Kent on the back of a loaded dump truck. The driver let the girls up front and us boneheads had to ride in the back. Pretty cool litte town, but high dollar.
Virginian
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#7
Hey, who is looking over my shoulder? I just was looking at my maps and needed to take abreak. When I look here and see this post Thanks guys
fairlane62
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#8
What Kent does not have is any place to stay under $100 a night. Ask the owner of the outfitter where you can stay, or else head back out to the trail. There is a shelter just south of the road.
Bankrobber
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#9
My mistake…actually, Kent does have an IGA, or some type, of grocery store. It has a decent selection, and is right next door to the post office.
It’s just a high dollar town. There is, however, a church hostel that takes people in until Sept. 1, I believe.
nobody
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#10
The church hostel is as unreliable as they come, it’s not a hostel and they let a total of two hikers camp on the grass, if they feel like it. The town as a whole is very hiker unfriendly since we don’t fit in to the wealthy backdrop of the town. The outfitter is no different and a section hiker knows more about gear than their leading salesman and the owner put togehter. It is how ever a great resupply. The market, p.o., and laundry mat are all together so if you find one, a blind person can find the rest. The only place to take a shower was a store owned by the outfitter which gouged you for $3, in return you got a cold (solar) shower like the one you take car camping. I’d been better off to jump in the creek and should have. Kent is a nice town, just don’t plan on finding a place to stay the night. Don’t forget just up the trail is Cornwall Bridge. I went to the little store there (Baird’s General Store) and it will do for a long term resupply. Not anything like the IGA in Kent but will do just fine. Nice folks too and awesome grinders. The package store there also gives you a free beer or drink but if you need to visit the outfitter, visit Kent.
Karma
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#11
I had no problem staying on the pastor’s (rector’s) lawn this year in Kent. Karma’s right, actually staying IN the church hostel is iffy; I don’t remember why, exactly. Just knock on the rector’s door and ask if you can stay on his lawn. He was very friendly to me.
Also the IGA was fine. Typical supermarket, IMHO. There’s also a gas station with a mini-mart near the church. The outfitter (I think) also has some trail food if you feel like throwing cash away.
CT and MA have the worst bugs. Don’t know if the trail is usually one big swamp through those states, but you’ll be getting real friendly with bog bridges anyhow.
Wzup, Karma? Didn’t see you at the end there. When did you finish? Buttercup and I finished on the 1st of October.
Oreo
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#12
I hiked thru Kent in mid July, and the church hostel that the companion listed was closed with no explanation. I would not plan on staying there. There is a public park with a pavillion. I don’t think that you are supposed to camp there, but it is doubtful that anyone will notice if you behave yourself.
Bankrobber
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#13
I think we were the last year for the Panarchy. That was an interesting basement hostel. It was dirty but free and free showers. Several hikers we knew camped near the ballfield just before you go into the woods. Also, I think Gadiva from '02 lives in Kent and lets people camp at her place? You can also, get on the shuttle to the next town were they have a nice outfitter. They replaced my boots free (Vasques) with no questions and also new tips for my leki’s. I liked Kent. Virginian, weren’t we there the same day? The icecream shop has a Thru-hiker flavor of Ben and Jerry’s. I remember the Post office had lost a lot of maildrops with winter clothes (ours being one of them). We spent two days there and had a lot of fun. The DOC had a computer they let you use and a phone. Good luck on your hike.
Papa Smurf
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#16
I’ve lost it!!! Parttimers!! I remember Kent, now, bad place! good store but the rest of it sucks! Just hike on thru. The prices are high, real high if you are from the south. All of the women look like Stepford wives. They are clones. Weird place. If it rains they have to go inside to keep from drowning. (the rain runs down into their noses). Good collection of Saabs, Volvos, Jags and BMWs. There were a few Lexus. Kent is were I tackled a dirtbiker on the trail and drug him and his bike back to the road. Yeah now I remember Kent!!!
Papa Smurf
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#17
Greetings to all, and thank you for taking such an interest in my home town. Kent residents are, on the whole, very supportive of those who hike the trail. Just remember, please show people in towns the same courtesy and respect with which you would like to be treated. Also, very few folks outside of the Trail community really know or understand what hikers need or want so patience and thorough explanations may get you the information or help you request.
FYI, the Companion listed the months the St. Andrews church was allowing hikers to stay incorrectly, the church will be only be available during May and June. The church really is not equipped as a hostel but the parish wants to support the hikers as best it can. After June the parish runs a number of events that demand much of the parishionners’ and pastor’s time so they aren’t able to extend hospitality throughout the entire summer.
The Davis IGA, Kent Pharmacy, Kent Hardware, post office, bank, town hall, laundramat, and Paisan’s Pizza, among other stores, are in the Kent Green shopping area just off Main Street. Kent Pizza Garden is used to serving smelly hikers and they’ve got good food in large portions for fairly reasonable prices. The Backcounrty Outfitters is located on Route 341 just east of Main Street (Route 7). I have never been in the store when the owners or sales staff haven’t bent over backward to help out a customer. You can almost see the store from the traffic light, just look past the sculpture(???) of huge soda or beer cans on the lawn of Stosh’s Ice Cream shop. Strobel’s Bakery on Main Street has goodies to die for. All our commercial enterprises are located in a compact village around Main Street, very hiker-convenient.
The library (on Main Street) provides internet access but may have to limit your time due to heavy demand.
Our economy in northwest Connecticut depends heavily on tourism and the business generated by owners of second residences and yes, it’s true that lodging is expensive, but no more than in other western New England towns. The Town of Kent had a leading role in protecting and preserving the Trail corridor through which you will be walking and the goal of our local land use commissions to to further protect the Housatonic Riverfront and forested hillsides that frame our village center and main roads.
Most thru-hilers stay at the Mount Algo shelter, about a mile south from town, or the Stewart Hollow shelter, about 7 trail miles north from the village center.
In years past I’ve taken in hikers I’ve met during my Ridgerunning tours and will continue to do so next year. This year, I’m heading for Springer on March 21 to fulfill my lifelong dream of thru-hiking the Trail. I’m looking forward to meeting you all on the Trail. Please feel free to email me if you’d like and additional information about the Trail and towns in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
The Walking Stomach, CT AMC Ridgerunner
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#18
I used to live near Kent… Kent is kick ass… great espresso and chocolate store; great books, music (nice friendly Dead Head gave me some free tapes for the trail), there is an IGA store that has everything a hiker could want… as far as bugs… I had no bug problems till Massachusetts… I think the bugs really depend on the weather.
ASWAH leaving on March 23rd… ciao
Aswah
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#20
You can’t be the same Papa Smurf or else you’ve started drinking. You used to be so nice.
Blue Jay