Hudson Traders Brings Childhood Memories to Life

Hidden away in Hudson is a shop that many visitors stumble upon by accident, and according to owner Debbie Newton, that’s part of its charm.

“I would describe Hudson Traders as a little bit of a hidden gem that has a little bit of everything,” she said.

Part café, part candy store and part gift shop, Hudson Traders offers an eclectic mix of products from bubble tea and coffee to gluten-free cookies, gifts and stuffed animals. The store has become known for its fun atmosphere and carefully picked collection of unique finds.

“It’s like a general store in the sense that it has a little bit of a whole bunch of weird things,” she said with a laugh.

For the lifelong Hudson resident, the inspiration behind the business came from memories of growing up in the community.

“As a kid, I had certain places that always stuck in my mind as somewhere that brought me memories of childhood,” she said. “There was the Five and Dime, there was a candy shop and a couple of other little spots. I took little bits of all of them and created my own version.”

Originally, Hudson Traders was envisioned as a small department store. But after more than four years in business, the shop is now in its fifth year, customer preferences have helped shape its evolution.

“Over the last four years, we’ve learned what people really like and what they really don’t want,” she said.

“We focus mostly on candy, and people like their iced coffees and their sweet drinks,” she said. “We have bubble tea, which the kids love.”

Beyond the products themselves, supporting local entrepreneurs has become one of the business’s defining values.

Debbie says she is especially proud to stock products from women-owned and small businesses whenever possible. Many of the store’s offerings, from baked goods and spices to embroidery, soaps and locally roasted coffee, come from female entrepreneurs and makers across the region.

“I try my best to support women-owned businesses and unique things,” she said.

Because Hudson Traders is tucked away and not immediately visible from the street, many first-time visitors discover it unexpectedly.

“I think the most common words are probably, ‘This is really cute,’ ‘This is charming,’ or ‘unexpected,'” she said. “People come in and say, ‘Oh my gosh, this is so cute, I didn’t know you were here.'”

That reaction is exactly what she hopes visitors will take away from the experience.

“I hope people remember that it was cute, charming and small-town Quebec, small-town Canada,” she said. “I hope they leave with something that’s unique-ish.”

In many ways, Hudson traders is more than a store. It’s a place built on nostalgia and a desire to recreate the sense of wonder found in the small shops of childhood, one cup of coffee, sweet treat and quirky gift at a time.