With staying closer to home being the new normal, local businesses are getting their turn in the spotlight and giving people an opportunity to grow their communities like never before. Whether it’s eating or shopping, show your love for the Cape's Main Streets and rise to the live local challenge by visiting your favorite haunts and discovering new ones. The best way to keep your community vibrant? In the words of the state’s new My Local MA initiative, “Put your money where your heart is.”
Here are a few of our homegrown favorites.
Cape Cod Beach Chair Company: Is it any surprise the world’s best beach chairs hail from the Cape? Give the gift of everyone’s favorite summer pastime all year long with CCBCC’s signature beach chairs, proudly assembled on Cape Cod and ready to personalize! Visit the flagship showroom in Harwich for the ultimate beach store browse. Bonus: Large boater canvas tote bags ship free with the purchase of a beach chair.
Cape Camo: Flaunt your love for the Cape in style and shop the signature clothing designs and apparel line in the newly opened Cape Camo storefront in Mashpee Commons, to show your community support and stand out in the crowd. From trademark leggings and graphic hoodies to logo tees for the whole family, shopping local has never looked better.
Flying Pig Pottery: Discover the perfect handcrafted holiday gift or home décor accent from local artist Tessa Morgan’s studio gallery in Woods Hole. From decorative lamps and tiles to everyday stoneware, each piece is uniquely created and adorned with whimsical images of the imagination and inspirations from local marine life that tell their own little snapshot stories.
Hit The Cape & Islands Bookstore Trail and treat yourself to a couple of this autumn’s newest titles to cozy up with. Along the trail on Route 6A in Sandwich, you’ll find Titcomb’s Bookshop, which has captured the spirit of independent bookselling for 50 years. A staff recommendation list that spans decades, a virtual Book Club and robust Back to School selections make this local gem a stop to bookmark. Also on the trail: Books by the Sea in Centerville, a specialty shop committed to all things local (and coastal), showcasing Cape Cod’s rich history and promoting community artists. The in-store, moderately-priced art gallery complements the wide selection of books for all ages, making the unexpected find a sure thing.
Chatham Jewelers: On the hunt for exclusively designed jewelry that captures the quintessential essence of Cape Cod? Commemorate your most cherished Cape memories with Chatham Jeweler’s signature collection of charms, pendants, bracelets and earrings. Personalized hand cast custom designs, exceptional colored stones and diamonds, unique gifts, and in-house appraisals and repairs make this everyone’s hometown jeweler no matter where you live. Family owned & operated since 1951.
Cape Cod Coffee: If coffee is your passion, head to the Cape’s newest local roasting facility and restaurant on Route 130 in Mashpee for a true bean to cup experience! On-premise tailored roasting from 12 different countries around the world (sourced exclusively from Fair Trade & Rainforest Alliance certified beans) provides customers the perfect cup of coffee and personalized service that will elevate your daily brew. Pick your favorite to take home, then head outside to the new patio area for gourmet pizza, beer cheese nachos, craft cocktails and gluten-reduced beer.
Snow's Home and Garden: Find out what’s in store at this fifth and sixth generation-run family business first established in 1887. With ancestors that settled Eastham and Orleans, community service prevails as a long-standing tradition for this local business that supports charitable giving programs and neighbors in need. Place an order online or browse in person across the many departments at the Orleans store for a most unique Cape shopping experience.
1856 Country Store: Get lost in the old-time delights of this beloved Main Street country store in Centerville, where you can purchase penny candy and postcards alongside souvenirs, old-fashioned toys, and distinctive Cape home décor. Rumor has it a visit here is incomplete without taking a seat on one of the political “Republican” or “Democrat” benches out front—proceed with caution!
Wellfleet Oysters: The most famous of all New England oysters, Wellfleet’s are farmed in protected flats of cold, fast-moving, pristine waters. It's this trifecta that gives the bivalves their briny, sweet flavor. Slurp down a raw one at one of Cape Cod’s many restaurants, including The Wicked Oyster and Macs Seafood.
Harvest of Barnstable: Discover the art of gift giving with Harvest of Barnstable’s one-of-a-kind silk botanical and shell wreath arrangements locally designed and crafted on the Cape. Visit the Yarmouth Port store for seasonal and holiday home décor, jewelry, and gift certificates and support HOB’s local charity efforts with a donation to community homelessness.
Cape Abilities Farm: The local harvest never tasted so good! Cape Abilities, a nonprofit social enterprise founded in Dennis to serve and employ people with disabilities across Cape Cod, takes “farm stand” to a whole other level. Membership has it perks—subscribe to The Farm Market Box for fresh, local, and in-season meal ingredients that will keep you cooking through mid-December. Want to shop a la carte? Peruse the website for weekly bouquets, bakery & bread items, freezer specialties, fresh produce (including their award-winning tomatoes) and more. Place online orders for contact-less curbside pickup!
MOCEAN: Capture the Aloha spirit at this premier outfitter for living life outdoors from sunrise to sunset all year long. From gear rentals to signature Cape Yetis, and an apparel line that will take you to the beach and beyond, head to the ultimate beach shack in Dennis to meet the community crew and visit the home of your favorite Locals Only T-shirt (prepare to be embraced as a local if you’re on Cape sharing your love for nature and all things local).
Craft Beer and Wineries: Several new breweries and wineries have opened on the Cape within the last decade, joining the few that were already here, making for an exciting craft beverage scene! You can buy many of their offerings at local stores, but it’s also fun to visit these places, tour their facilities and taste their products fresh from the source. Among them are Barnstable Brewing, Cape Cod Beer, Shoal Hope Ciderworks, Truro Vineyards and 6A Brewing Company. Jump aboard TapTastings Craft Brew Excursions for a fun and safe way to sample the best of our local breweries.
Now get out there and support these and other local businesses that make Cape Cod feel like home! Don't forget to include the hashtag #MyLocalMA when you post about your local purchases and experiences.