The Beach Times
The Quirky Gift Shops of Downtown Falmouth, MA
Posted by Kinlin Grover | Tuesday, March 16, 2021
Main Street in downtown Falmouth is a great place to do some shopping on your Cape Cod vacation because there's a little bit of everything.
The area is incredibly unique thanks to its abundance of historic buildings, and you'll find all kinds of boutique clothing stores and local restaurants as you wander its sidewalks.
Downtown Falmouth also has multiple gift shops, each of which has novel offerings and features items you're unlikely to find anywhere else in town.
It's a little strange that such a small area would have so many gift shops, but this saturation is a good thing for Cape Cod's visitors because it means you'll have numerous options for finding souvenirs.
Blast From The Past
One of Falmouth Village's most popular shops is Blast From The Past, a small store that sells rare comics and all kinds of vintage collectibles.
Blast From The Past has a great selection of old-fashioned signs that you can hang in your rec room, throwback games from your childhood that your kids have never seen, and vinyl records if you have the technology to play them.
Some souvenirs are specific to Cape Cod, too, including vintage wall hangings featuring scenes from Falmouth's past that will make you feel like you've gone back to the 1950s.
Overall, Blast From The Past is the type of store that generally doesn't exist anymore, giving you more than enough reason to check it out during your Falmouth vacation.
Homespun Garden
If you love Cape Cod and want to remember your vacations to the area year-round, Homespun Garden has some souvenirs for you.
This shop on Main Street offers a wide selection of locally-made crafts, in addition to housewares like plates, mugs, salt and pepper shakers, and serving platters that will keep the ocean on your mind.
Other offerings include paintings, candles, bags, signs, and jewelry, all of which ensure your Cape Cod memories stay active in-between visits.
Twigs Personal & Home Accessories
Much like Homespun Garden, Twigs Personal & Home Accessories is full of items you can pack with your luggage and use around the house after your vacation. Souvenirs on offer here include handbags, soap, clothing, pictures, and candles, all of which feature a local flair.
The shop also has a wide selection of signs, scarves, blankets, pillows, and cute trinkets made by Cape Cod residents. After all, it's always nice to support one of the Cape's outstanding artisans when buying gifts for your family at home.
Twigs and Homespun are almost neighbors, as only Cape Chic clothing store sits between them, making it easy to check out both vendors as you walk Main Street.
Celebrations
Celebrations is a gift shop featuring many unique items like Falmouth-labeled checkerboards, model ships, nautical-themed beach bags, jewelry, pictures, signs, trinkets, and countless home decor accessories.
Many offerings at Celebrations are beach-related, making it a great place to pick up some items that remind you of your time on the Cape. Or, if you have a lakehouse back home, grabbing some decor to hang up around the cottage is always a great idea.
You can grab some Cape Cod souvenirs here, too, including hats, mugs, and calendars. Overall, Celebrations is worth a stop on your Falmouth vacation.
Touche
Touche is an eclectic shop that carries a wide selection of women's clothing and handbags. They also have jewelry, accessories, sandals, and unique gift ideas for the entire family.
Speaking of family, there's a kids' section at Touche, so you can grab some toys and stuffies for the little ones in your life.
Although Touche is a little more of a clothing store than a gift shop, there are enough souvenirs available that it fits on this list, and it's a must-visit as you check out the boutiques of Falmouth Village.
Your Time in Falmouth
After booking a vacation rental in the Falmouth area, you'll surely want to spend some time downtown.
This historic area is a meeting place for locals and visitors because it's home to Falmouth Village Green, the Falmouth Historical Society, numerous historic houses, multiple parks, and the Falmouth Commodores baseball team, to name a few.
Away from Main Street, Falmouth Village is also home to Falmouth Inner Harbor, Falmouth Marine Park, and Falmouth Plaza, providing even more reason to check the area out.
Making the most of your time in Falmouth is sure to include hours exploring downtown, and these gift shops could be a significant part of that journey.
Cape Cod Shopping Falmouth
The Top 5 Mom and Pop Shops in Barnstable
Posted by Kinlin Grover | Thursday, February 11, 2021
You'll find mom and pop shops all over the Cape, as the abundance of local businesses is one of the things that makes this community special.
Each of Barnstable's seven villages features some of these small businesses, with a few of them standing out from the rest because of their quality.
Cape Cod residents and visitors alike love these retailers because of the high-quality products they provide, along with their outstanding service. This list includes both markets and restaurants, so whether you're cooking a meal at your vacation rental or want to eat out, there's an option for you.
Here's a look at the top five mom and pop shops in Barnstable, Massachusetts.
1) Lambert's Fruit Centerville
Centerville has a lot going for it thanks to its convenient location and scenic beaches. The village is mostly residential, so you'll find a fair number of vacation rentals from which to choose.
Lambert's Fruit Centerville is located where Route 28 and Main Street meet in Centerville, making it easy to find from anywhere on the Cape. Once inside, you'll notice that this mom and pop shop is a market, deli, and takeaway restaurant in one, giving you multiple choices when stopping in for a meal.
The prepared options are some of the most popular, as you can grab prime rib, seafood, pasta, and many cooked dinner items to enjoy later on. They also have fresh produce, a decent selection of wine, and homemade soups. You can eat in the outdoor dining area, too.
All of this comes together to make this locally owned business one of the best mom and pop shops in Barnstable.
2) Barnstable Market
Barnstable Market is a throwback to the general stores of the past, as this retailer has a little bit of everything. Here, you can grab some beer or wine, pick up your groceries for the week, buy some fresh donuts or pastries from the bakery, or seek out a prepared meal to enjoy on-site or at your vacation rental.
However, that's not all, as this Barnstable Village retailer also sells souvenirs, dinnerware, and paintings while focusing on using local suppliers for as many goods as possible.
Barnstable Market is conveniently located on Main Street, across the street from the Barnstable District Court. As a bonus, you can give them a call from the beach ahead of time, and your order will be ready to go when you arrive.
3) The Little Sandwich Shop
Hyannis' Main Street is a bustling area that's full of life in the summer. There are plenty of dining options in downtown Hyannis, with The Little Sandwich Shop being one of the top places to stop for lunch.
Much as its name suggests, The Little Sandwich Shop is a tiny restaurant specializing in sandwiches, including subs, Reubens, wraps, and vegetarian options. They have burgers, salads, and a kid's menu, too.
The same husband and wife team has owned The Little Sandwich Shop since it opened, and they're committed to making everything they serve from scratch using only the best ingredients they can find.
It can be easy to miss The Little Sandwich Shop because it's just a tiny hole in the wall, but it's highly recommended that you give them a try on your Cape Cod vacation.
4) Pain D'Avignon Restaurant Boulangerie
Located just off Iyannough Road and down the street from the Cape Cod Mall, Pain D'Avignon Restaurant Boulangerie is a bakery and restaurant in one.
This shop started as a bakery in 1992, as the owners wanted to bring Old World breadmaking techniques to the Cape. They don't use any preservatives in their bread, ensuring that you can enjoy their products in their most authentic form.
The restaurant is open for breakfast and also offers a fine dining experience later on in the day. They have a wine room with an extensive list, as well.
When searching for one of Cape Cod's most exclusive dining experiences, don't miss Pain D'Avignon Restaurant Boulangerie in Hyannis.
5) Spoon & Seed
There's an industrial park just north of Barnstable Municipal Airport in Hyannis, and truthfully, it's one of the last places you'd expect to find a great mom and pop restaurant on the Cape.
However, this is the location of the Spoon & Seed, a restaurant specializing in breakfast and lunch that also has take and bake meals for dinner.
As a result, you can head to the diner for bacon and eggs, pancakes, sandwiches, and other morning and afternoon favorites, or grab a pre-cooked pizza, pasta, or chicken dish to re-heat at your vacation rental.
If you don't want to cook but wish to enjoy a wonderful farm-to-table meal, the Spoon & Seed is an outstanding option.
Barnstable's Mom and Pop Shops
While mom and pop shops might be a dying breed in many parts of the country, they're thriving on Cape Cod. Special attention is paid to these local retailers on the Cape, helping ensure they survive for generations to come.
Make sure you support these small businesses on Cape Cod during your vacation. Not only is this support good for the community, but you're also sure to receive outstanding quality and service every time you stop by.
Barnstable Villlage Cape Cod Restaurants Cape Cod Shopping Centerville Hyannis
Find a Deal at Cape Cod’s Flea Markets
Posted by Kinlin Grover | Thursday, June 20, 2019
With popular flea markets like Dick & Ellie’s, the Cape Cod Bazaar, and the Hyannis Flea Market shutting down for good in recent years, finding a Cape Cod flea market is becoming increasingly difficult. Luckily, a couple of larger markets have picked up the slack a little bit and provide excellent bargains all year long, with additional days of operation in the summer.
Most of these flea markets offer free parking, complimentary admission, and a wide selection new and used goods for you to explore, so prepare yourself for a day of shopping at some point on your Cape Cod vacation, and you won’t be disappointed.
Wellfleet Flea Market
Two flea markets claim to be Cape Cod's biggest and best, starting with the Wellfleet Flea Market. This market is held at the Wellfleet Drive-In Theatre on Route 6 and is active all year round, weather permitting, so no matter when you visit the Cape, you can check out the available deals.
From October through May, the market runs on Saturdays and Sundays in the theatre's parking lot. The winter market is weather dependent, so if it's too cold or there's a lot of snow, it will be canceled. The winter flea market is also the smallest, as they cap it at about 30 vendors.
The spring market starts on Memorial Day Weekend and runs throughout June, also on Saturdays and Sundays, but it's a little larger and is inside the drive-in area. You’ll generally see a few more vendors at the spring flea market as the weather becomes more predictable.
The summer market is the largest at this venue, with over 200 vendors attending. You can head to the market on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout July and August. The summer flea market also features a beer garden, mini golf, and an ice cream shop, making it a place where you can hang out for a few hours.
Finally, the fall flea market is held on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays in September. The September markets tend to slow down a bit, and visitors return home after spending the summer on Cape Cod.
All of the markets start at 8:00 AM and run until about 3:00 PM. Keep in mind that most vendors do not accept credit cards, so you'll want to bring cash with you. There is an ATM available in the snack bar during the summer season. You should also be aware that admission is charged by the car, but it'll only be $2 or $3 per vehicle, depending on the day and season.
The Sandwich Bazaar
The other flea market on Cape Cod that lays claim to being the best is The Sandwich Bazaar, sometimes referred to as The Sandwich Flea Market. This market, which has run every year since 2009, has a full-time spot in a large field on Quaker Meeting House Road in Sandwich, right next to Oakcrest Cove Lodge. Parking and admission are free, and since there is so much space, you shouldn’t have much trouble finding somewhere to leave your vehicle.
The Sandwich Bazaar is held every Wednesday between mid-April and the middle of October starting at 6:00 AM and ending at noon and every Sunday from the beginning of June through the middle of September from 7:00 AM until 1:00 PM.
There is also a secondary flea market in Sandwich called The Winter Sandwich Flea Market. It's hosted by the same people who run The Sandwich Bazaar, but it has limited dates between November and April and takes place at the American Legion Hall on Sandwich's Main Street. The markets go from 9:00 AM until 1:00 PM and will have tables set-up both inside and outside.
Brewster-By-the-Bay Flea Market
The Brewster-By-the-Bay Flea Market at Drummer Boy Park doesn't want or need to be the largest on Cape Cod, as it does just fine at its current size. The flea market is organized the Brewster PTO, with proceeds raised through the tables going to support programs and events at Brewster Elementary School.
If you want to check out the Brewster-By-the-Bay Flea Market, head to the park on any Tuesday between June 25 and August 27. The sales start at 8:00 AM and go until about 4:00 PM, and since the flea market is at a public park, you'll find it easy to keep the kids occupied while you shop.
Truro Treasures Festival
If you happen to be in Truro in mid-September, make sure you visit the Truro Treasures Festival Weekend. The festival has taken place every year since 1992 and is a non-profit event aimed at benefiting the community of Truro as a whole. Originally, the Truro Treasures Festival was started to raise money to save the town's Highland Lighthouse.
One of the most anticipated parts of the festival each year is its flea market, which takes place on the Saturday and Sunday of the weekend on Truro Central School's front lawn. The size of the market is dependent on the vendors that sign up each year, but since it takes place once the other flea markets are starting to wind down for the season, it usually gets a pretty good turnout.
Take Something Special Home With You
You never know what you’ll find at a flea market, and the sales on Cape Cod are often extraordinary because there are old homes and estates that often participate. These markets are also a great place to pick up some local arts and crafts to take home as souvenirs.
No matter your reason for visiting a flea market on the Cape, you’ll have some options throughout your vacation.
Brewster Cape Cod Shopping Flea Markets Sandwich Truro Wellfleet