The biggest celebrity at these bookstores is the events and marketing director, Tim Ehrenberg, who has a Bookstagram account @timtalksbooks where he gives outstanding recommendations. If Tim tells me to read it, I read it.
Flowers on Chestnut: If there is one store other than the bookstores that I would say you shouldn’t miss, it’s Flowers on Chestnut. Most visitors aren’t in need of a florist, but you should stop into Flowers anyway just for the aesthetics. There’s a sumptuous floral display in the middle of the first floor and a charming side garden. Beef up your Instagram—take pictures. Flowers on Chestnut also has a divine selection of candles, gifts, antiques, greeting cards, wrapping paper, cocktail napkins, and home furnishings. Website: Flowersonchestnut.com; Instagram: @flowersonchestnut.
Jessica Hicks Jewelry: I bought my first pair of Jessica Hicks earrings in 2008 and now, almost fifteen years later, I have well over a hundred pieces, including the silver thumb ring featured in The Perfect Couple. Jessica’s shop is tucked just off Main on Union Street—it’s a must-visit for any Elin Hilderbrand reader. Her pieces have a wide price range, with something for every budget. Website: Jessicahicks.com; Instagram: @jessicahicksjewelry.
Hub of Nantucket: As the name suggests (just call it “the Hub”), this newsstand, which also has books, magazines, candy, souvenirs, gifts, coffee, and smoothies, is right smack in the middle of town, on the corner of Main Street and Federal. Website: Thehubofnantucket.com; Instagram: @thehubofnantucket.
Nantucket Looms: Oh, how I love the Looms. The hydrangea-blue cashmere blanket in The Hotel Nantucket is fictional, though Nantucket Looms does have an impressive selection of woven goods as well as furniture and art. They also sell two kinds of wildflower soap, which is a go-to gift of mine. Website: Nantucketlooms.com; Instagram: @nantucketlooms.
Blue Beetle: My favorite place for cashmere: ponchos, wraps, and sweaters, especially Nantucket sweaters. Possibly my favorite purchase of 2021 was the heather-gray sweater with a rainbow-striped ACK on the front. (ACK is the airport designation for Nantucket.) They also have sweaters with the island on the front (I have this in four colors!). Website: Bluebeetlenantucket.com; Instagram: @bluebeetlenantucket.
Erica Wilson: Erica Wilson was a pioneer in the world of needlepoint. This shop on Main Street is still partially dedicated to the art, but the other half is women’s fashion. I nearly always find something wonderful here, and it features the jewelry of Heidi Weddendorf (Instagram: @heidiweddendorf). Website: Ericawilson.com; Instagram: @ericawilsonnantucket.
Milly and Grace: Perhaps my favorite women’s clothing boutique on the island, this shop, named for owner Emily Ott’s grandmothers, also has home goods. This is where I first found the round towels by Beach People and bought my very first S’Well bottle. Website: Millyandgrace.com; Instagram: @shopmillyandgrace.
Hepburn: Another must when you’re looking for women’s fashion. Many of the dresses you see me wearing on Instagram came from Hepburn and this was where I bought my very first pair of Mystique sandals! Website: Hepburnnantucket.com; Instagram: @hepburnnantucket.
The Lovely: Owned by longtime Nantucketer Julie Biondi, this women’s clothing boutique, which is located just past the Lobster Trap on Washington Street, shouldn’t be missed. You’re definitely going home with shopping bags! Website: Thelovelynantucket.com; Instagram: @thelovelynantucket.
28 Centre Pointe: Located at 28 Centre Street, this boutique is filled with unique kitchen, home, and table goods, as well as fashion. Owner Margaret Anne Nolen founded her own line, called Cartolina—and for those paying close attention, Lizbet is wearing a Cartolina dress when Xavier arrives! Website: 28centrepointe.com; Instagram: @28centrepointe.
Current Vintage: Soup of the Day: champagne. If this is your motto, Current Vintage is for you. This shop offers a joyful mix of old and new—vintage Lilly Pulitzer alongside cute slogan T-shirts alongside a great selection of wine, champagne, cheeses, and home goods. Website: Currentvintage.com; Instagram: @currentvintagenantucket.
Murray’s Toggery: Murray’s is the OG of Nantucket’s shopping scene. It is the home of prep. It is the home of—wait for it—Nantucket red, the infamous red fabric that starts out a certain shade of brick and becomes, with each washing, more and more faded until it reaches its goal: a unique and unmistakable pale pink. The Murray family invented not only this color (and the Nantucket Reds clothing line) but also, in a sense, the social phenomenon that is so prevalent on Nantucket: the older and more loved an article of clothing (or a Jeep Wrangler or a lightship basket), the more authentic it is. To wear a brand-new pair of Nantucketred shorts to dinner is considered gauche. Wash them thirty times first, then don them at every opportunity—when you’re surf-casting at Smith’s Point, when you’re selecting tomatoes at Bartlett’s Farm, when you’re dancing in the front row at the Chicken Box. Spill your gin and tonic on them. Stand in the sea spray of the ferry. That’s what they’re made for. You can get Nantucketred pants, skirts, children’s overalls, and other assorted styles, but they can only be properly purchased at Murray’s Toggery. (Note: Murray’s also has other clothing. I spent many a panicked two-days-before-prom at Murray’s with both of my boys as they tried on pants, shirts, ties, and jackets.) It’s a family-owned and -run business that has a magical feel. Don’t miss it. Website: Nantucketreds.com; Instagram: @ackreds.
Barnaby’s Toy and Art Shack: Are you looking for someplace fun to take your young kids? Barnaby Bear’s world expanded when children’s book author and illustrator Wendy Rouillard opened Barnaby’s Toy and Art Shack. Barnaby’s is a whole experience—a curated toy store offering art classes such as beading, fairy-house building, and wood-slice art as well as a drop-in art studio where children can create any time of day. If you have little people, Barnaby’s is a must. Also available for birthday parties and private events (once, when I walked in, a dude was teaching the kids magic!). They also sell great neon Nantucket lights. (I have one!) Website: barnabysnantucket.com; Instagram: @barnabybearbooks.
Force Five and Indian Summer: If your children are a bit older, say ten to seventeen, chances are they want to make a stop at the surf shop and clothier Force Five. Force Five has the added attraction of a hidden candy room in the back of the store. Indian Summer on the Strip is smaller but has everything to fulfill your dreams of becoming the next Alana Blanchard. Instagrams: @force5nantucket and @indiansummersurf.
Stephanie’s: Stephanie Correia is a doyenne of Nantucket retail. Her eponymous shop on Main Street has women’s clothing, footwear, bags and purses, and lots of nifty gifts. You can’t miss it!
Remy: Come for the cashmere shark sweater, stay for Remy’s bright, whimsical, and fun originals. Located on Old South Wharf, which is a charming place to stroll.
Are you in the market for art or photography?
Town is filled with galleries. The two I am fondest of are Coe and Co on Main Street—Nathan Coe’s art photography is chic and sexy—and Samuel Owen Gallery (this is where I bought my “slushee wave” by photographer Jonathan Nimerfroh (Instagram: @jdnphotography). Websites: Coeandcogallery.com and Samuelowen.com; Instagrams: @coeandcogallery and @samuelowen.
If you want to take home a piece of Nantucket, you should check out the surf landscapes by Lauren Marttila (website: Laurenmarttilaphotography.com; Instagram: @laurenmarttilaphotography). I have these throughout my house. Another island artist whose work I both collect and write about is the landscape painter Illya Kagan. Website: Illyakagan.com; Instagram: @illyakagan.
Are you a history buff?