Shopping During Your Holiday - Where to Find Unique Items On and Around Nantucket

The island of Nantucket is a hugely popular summer vacation destination that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. It has endless beaches, some of the best preserved historical buildings, stunning natural resources, and beautiful local accommodation options for every taste and preference.

Since it is also often referred to as “billionaire’s isle,” it is no surprise that it is home to some of the most exclusive and expensive boutiques and stores.

But while some of the items you can buy there can be found in other locations in the USA, some stores, galleries, and shops offer unique products that can only be found on the island.

If you are planning a trip to this picturesque island, and are planning on shopping for some unique local items to add to your home décor or for keepsakes or gifts, then here are some ideas for the best places to shop for some of the iconic Nantucket and New England coastal style products.

Shopping in Nantucket

Here are some ideas for the best shops offering the must-have gifts and souvenirs to buy when visiting Nantucket.

Murray’s Toggery Shop

This is the only brick-and-mortar store where you can buy an original pair of the iconic Nantucket Reds pants or other apparel from the trademarked collection. These faded red to dusty rose-colored canvas pants have become symbolic of the coastal preppy flair and have been sold at Murray’s Toggery Shop since they were first introduced in the 1960s by Phillip C. Murray.

The historic shop is located on Main Street in the historic Downtown, and it is still run by the members of the Murray family.

Nantucket Pearl Company

The Nantucket Pearl Company was founded by Pam Freitus, who is one of the leading Nantucket-based jewelers.

You can buy some beautiful and reasonably priced handmade jewelry that is designed and made with high-quality pearls, as well as unique local sea glass and stones picked from the island’s beaches.

The nautical-style jewelry is all handcrafted and is perfect for a gift or as a souvenir from your trip to the island.

All of the items feature the signature red bead of Pam Freitus.

Nantucket Looms 

This shop is unique in many different ways. First, it has an actual weaving studio and workshop on its second floor, where the local weavers make the beautiful and luxurious hand-woven items offered at the store.

The skilled artisans use the highest quality materials, such as Scottish cashmere, mohair, Japanese silk and merino wood, for the creation of beautiful wraps, throws, and other woven items.

The shop has had famous customers and fans through the years, including Princess Grace, Jackie O., Hilary Clinton, Bill Gates, Channel, Louis Vuitton, and many more.

Shopping in Martha’s Vineyard

Martha’s Vineyard is just over an hour away from Nantucket via ferry and is only 7 miles away from mainland Massachusetts. The island is almost twice the size of Nantucket and offers some fantastic shopping opportunities.

Here are some of the best shopping opportunities on this picturesque New England island.

Island Alpaca Company of Martha’s Vineyard 

If you want to experience something completely unique while on Martha’s Vineyard, you should definitely visit the Island Alpaca Company there.

This one-of-a-kind local company began breeding Huacaya alpaca animals decades ago and today owns 50 of these beautiful animals.

You can visit and admire these gracious animals and even sign up for an Alpaca Yoga class there.

The farm has a store where you can purchase various items made of alpaca yarn and fleece, as well as other alpaca-inspired souvenirs and goods.

Martha’s Vineyard Baskets 

This is the place to buy some of the most beautiful curated gift baskets and gift boxes for weddings, housewarmings, welcomes, thank you, presents with local goodies, and more.

The baskets and gift boxes contain perfectly combined and arranged organic cosmetics, gourmet products, fresh fruits, cups, souvenirs, and more – all handmade by local and US artisans, families, and small businesses.

Each of the baskets and boxes is designed and arranged with love, with eco-friendly materials, and contains only the highest quality natural products.

CB Stark 

This store has two locations on the island, one is in Vineyard Haven, and the other is in Edgartown.

Created and owned by jewelers and partners Cheryl Barbara Stark and Margery Meltzer, CB Stark has some of the best Martha’s Vineyard island-inspired handmade jewelry items.

The jewelry store offers unique jewelry from the CB Stark Jewelers and curated collections, as well as Cape Cod jewelry, John Hardy, Like Behar, Dovera, EL Designs, and other leading local and international jewelers.

You can buy Vineyard-inspired jewelry as keepsakes or gifts, as well as items from the 30 and more collections offered.

Shopping in Cape Cod

Cape Cod, MA, is 30 miles north of Nantucket and is known for its pristine beaches, delicious lobster rolls, relaxed vibes, and superb and extensive shopping opportunities.

If you are going shopping in Cape Cod, check out one or more of these fantastic local stores, brands, and products.

T Jazelle  

T Jazelle is the place to go to buy some locally made casual chic bracelets as keepsakes or as gifts from your trip to the Cape. You can choose from a wide variety of collections, including the Pearl Cape, Zodiac Charms, the Cape, Affirmations, Defining Stacker bracelets, and many more. 

They are made of pearls, beads, charms, semi-precious stones, and other elements created by the designer and store owner, Tiffany Jazelle.

Chatham Candy Manor 

Whether you have a sweet tooth or are looking to buy some of the best-handcrafted chocolates as gifts or for a special event, the Chatham Candy Manor is the best place to shop for them in Cape Cod.

It has offered delicious homemade fudge, hand-dipped chocolates, and other chocolate items for over 67 years.

All of the decadent chocolates and sweets are made in small batches, dipped by hand in chocolate melted in copper kettles.

There are various boxes, bags, and collections to choose from – for everyday enjoyment and special occasions.

Design Works 

Design Works is the perfect store to buy vintage and home décor items, as well as accessories, jewelry, cosmetics, and gifts that will remind you of the coastal charm of Cape Cod.

You can choose from various keepsakes and gifts at the White Whale shop – from inexpensive nautical-inspired stickers to unique and unusual vintage items and clothing there.

The prices at the store are reasonable, and the assortment is large enough to satisfy just about anybody’s preferences.