Thompson, who has a marketing background, worked for another Vermont stone supplier before starting his own venture three years ago. Located in the fashionable ski village of Killington, VT, Vermont Marble, Granite, Slate & Soapstone's showroom showcases a full range of soapstone products, including sinks, countertops and cookware. It also imports woodburning masonry heaters made of soapstone from Willach of Germany. The company's soapstone products have their own marketing arm, “Soapstone Depot,†complete with a Web site at www.soapstonedepot.com. Soapstone countertops and sinks are fabricated at the company's shop in nearby Castleton, VT, and other items are imported as finished products. The soapstone sinks feature a classic tongue-and-groove assembly where applicable, and the company also offers solid, carved one-piece sinks. The sinks are available in styles such as the “Philadelphia Pitched Front,†the “New England Double Bowl†and the “Solid Vermonter,†among other varieties.
Soapstone slabs are imported in sizes as large as 8 x 5 feet, and they are typically honed to a 320-grit finish. “Soapstone is known as a grayish/blue concrete-looking material, but soapstones have different veining and characteristics,†Thompson explained, saying that many of the slabs fall into a light green range. Soapstone slab varieties in stock include Verde Venatino, Meadowbrook, Classic Original and Rio Blue. The color of the slab darkens by increasing the hone level, and the addition of oil can also change the surface color of the stone.