This is one of my favorite places in the Downcity to browse, get a gift, get something for me…read more They have lots of stuff that have a Rhode Island inspired theme or just fun, high quality stuff that you could find in any nice upscale gift shop anywhere in the world. Craftland is a mix of card shop, gift store and souvenir store. The staff is pleasant and very helpful if you need their help. The stuff is all colorful and well laid out, so when I walk in the store, it feels bright and cheerful. This last time I got some t-shirts for my nieces...they have lots of colors, patterns, logos, designs and sizes. You can fell the quality of the fabric when you grab them, not the thin cheap ones that you get like in the streets of New York...LOL..

CUTEST STORE EVER! All the stuff is made my indi artists and they are all so talented. It's also…read moresuper welcoming and feminist and equality-focused. Perfect for gifts or art or a little self-care shopping.

Like Nicolette, I feel virtuous when I send a card. But I feel extra-virtuous when I send a card to…read moremy grandmother! My friends and siblings actually could not care less about cards. And London Limited does not really have an adequate selection of cards suitable for grandmothers. Actually, to be entirely honest, their selection of cards is kind of "limited." It's a cute place, and gift-buyers will probably find something, but it isn't a place I find particularly useful, I guess. The house cat *was* an amazing animal, but I use the past tense because I think there was recently a touching photo tribute suggesting that the cat is no more.

I try to be a good friend, sister, daughter, girlfriend and send cards as often as possible. This…read morespot is my muse. It is an adorable store filled with one of kind EVERYTHING. Cards, candles, gourmet chocolate, magnets, jewelry et al... The charm of this place only elevates when you meet the house cat who more often then not is sleeping it the ever-changing window display. (I have been informed that this wonderful cat may no longer be with us...) I think the credit card limit is 10$ and above so if you head in for a small purchase have some cash handy.

I had a work of art framed at C.C. Lowell recently. The gentleman who helped me was extremely…read moreknowledgeable and helpful--and the result looks fantastic.

Great store,knowledgable staff. It is expensive so unfortuately I have to shop mostly online. I…read morewishe they would have sales....

One of the things that makes Northampton, well, Northampton, is Essentials. I started shopping at…read moreEssentials almost twenty years ago, and it's been a staple of my quirky life ever since. It's changed hands twice in my awareness, and just keeps getting better and better with age. This is a design-focused, design-heavy shop, and there are things I can pretty much only get AT Essentials; for instance, they've got a cut-to-custom-length ribbon bar, and some of that ribbon is vintage, and my absolute favorite is the hand-dyed silk. Also, they've got the best collection of Tintin and other European character favorites (like Barbapapa and Babar) this side of the pond. Oh, and the staff is wonderful. Knowledgable, friendly, thoughtful, and creative. Over the years, the cast of characters has changed, but it's always top-shelf. One giant boon: they've helped me put together a gift in no time, saving my bacon on numerous occasions! On a typical day, you can find stationery of all kinds, the indier the better; dishware; rubber stamps; intriguing books (think Chronicle); bath goods; bags of all shapes, sizes, and purposes; clothes and scarves; eight million things for kids, from blankies to onesies to stuffed alligators; jewelry; small home goods; special pens; DIY kits; custom furniture; large sheets of beautiful artisan paper; and a ton of things I'm forgetting. And one other thing about Essentials I am not forgetting, but which I saved for last, because it's my favorite. Essentials has an in-house design and print studio. And they also work with a select group of indie designers and printers who create everything from business cards to party invites. Here is where Colette, the current owner, really freaking shines, in my opinion. There was one thing I wanted when it came time to get married. One. Thing. That one thing was letterpress wedding invitations from Essentials. Colette took us from beautiful nebulous idea to flawlessly-executed product without ever breaking a sweat. I don't know if you've ever worked with people who are about to get married, but we are not always the most poised, cool-headed, or unflappable of people; Colette sat us down in the big comfy chairs and made sketches and phone calls, and really made our family feel like we were the only people in the entire world. Go see what I'm talking about - our invitation is probably still hanging in its golden-framed, green-paper-backed glory. Nearly four thousand miles away now, and I'm still bouncing in my chair as I look forward to my next trip to Essentials, whenever it may be.

I like this store and their merchandise. The prices are high, as the merchandise is of a high…read morequality. However their store policies are not up par with many upscale stores. We received a lovely gift of several girls garments, however we have a male child. The store manager, who did not have the courage to call us, rather made a sales associate do their work, informed us without a receipt we can not get a store credit. So wonderful Essentials, you made some money from this sale, but you lost a lot more revenue from this here shopper.

What a beautiful shop! The owner was super sweet and loved the variety of items they carry. I got a…read morefew art prints to frame, love supporting local artists. This is a great spot to grab a gift or a bit of home decor.They have a great selection of puzzles and other gifty items like that. I will definitely be heading back in!

Super cute little shop that helps put Hope Street in that category where one can spend a few hours…read moreexploring and enjoying! Rhode Craft is a shop similar to Frog & Toad with local artisans represented but not as comical. Straightforward items from jewelry to home goods to stickers. A few items a little high priced and some reasonable. They had a clearance table, which I love! Again, a great addition to Hope! (I bought a little ring holder dish, black heart shape $3 on clearance)

LOVE this shop! These days when the shopping experience has been reduced to shopping online and…read moremediocre at best, it's refreshing to shop here. A brick and mortar store filled with so many delightful treasures! If you require quality you'll find it there.

P S Fine Stationers is my go to for special gifts and unique items for myself. Sometimes I find…read morethings there that I always wished I'd had but didn't know existed. Sal and his sister run this family owned business and one of the two of them are always inside when it's open. They have helped me with invitations and with choosing gifts within my budget. One example was that I was looking for "Evil Eye" jewelry for a couple of gifts and Sal showed me items ranging from $25 to $950. that were all unique. I'm sorry but there's no place like this. I have a set of heavy leather TV/lap trays that I wanted to give as a gift but couldn't part with. Jeweled photo frames, scarab jewelry, artistic pieces everywhere and just being in the store with room scent sprays and little chocolates makes me smile every time. It's right in the center of Branford across from The Green. Don't miss it!

Great gifting options here! Kids books, activity and craft kits, kitchenware options, warm weather…read moreclothing you name it they've got it all. The service was great, Beverly the store manager helped me sort through a problem that came up and I will definitely visit again!

Beautiful store and very interesting and unique itemS all over the store. You could really spend…read morehours and hours just looking around at items, objects, stationery products, cards, stuffies, toys, candies, and sooo many other thiNgs. Prepare yourself for sensory overload of colors, creations, patterns and more!!!! If you need to purchase any kind of gift for anyone you will most liikely be able to locate something for someone here. The staff is super accommodating and friendly. If you are looking for a particular item just ask and they will present you with options and locations. My first viSit was amazing!! Worth the hour and a half drive from Western Massachusetts to get here. We shall return again in the future.

We happened upon this delightful independent bookstore after enjoying a late lunch at the…read moreMediterranean restaurant next door. It's brightly lit and beautifully arranged by theme, with lots of staff pick summaries/comments posted all around. Friendly staff and welcoming vibe. Great book selection of books!

This is such a cute and cozy bookstore! The River Bend Bookshop is set inside a refurbished old…read morehouse in downtown Gastonbury. It's an adorable New England town that looks like it was plucked straight from a movie. When you go inside, the store is so cozy. It's packed full of books and bookish merch, but so well set, there is plenty of room to explore. There are books in every nook and cranny, sorted by genre, with bookseller recommendations and plenty of signed copies. The booksellers are very knowledgeable and helpful too. If you are looking for a gift for an avid reader, they will definitely be able to help you find the perfect present. This is going to be a permanent stop for me every time I head through Connecticut.

Nichole was such a pleasure to work with at Coral Pheasant! The design process was seamless and she…read morehelped to keep my wedding invitations within budget by thinking of creative ways to incorporate colors and themes for the stationary. They turned out better than I expected and the longer I look at them, the more I fall in love with them. The quality of the letter press was awesome and even though we were working together across the country (I am in San Diego and she is in Norwalk) they came over in perfect condition. I highly recommend using Coral Pheasant for your wedding invitations! Everyone has been complimenting them and they are a sure way to set the theme for your wedding guests.

If you are looking for something personal, original, high quality and downright classy, THIS is…read moreyour choice for all things paper! The designer really takes in your vision and executes in such a way that the final product is even better than imagined! She took the time to listen and absorb all the details necessary to create a final product that was perfectly representative of the theme of the day. She guided us honestly and professionally through tough choices during the creative process and was so timely at responding to any questions or concerns. Receiving that first proof really made the whole celebration very 'real' and gave so much excitement about all that was to come! Grateful I chose Coral Pheasant to invite the most important people in our lives to one of the most important days of our lives!

More often than not, we hear of local shops shutting their doors, so it was great news to learn of…read moreWeekend Kitchen's move and expansion. We love this destination in Essex for all kinds of kitchen accoutrements, and we love it even more now. Nancy Kirkiles has a knack for mixing vintage finds with kitchen necessities, and the new, larger space has allowed her to flex her merchandising muscles. You'll find an extensive selection of her lovely letterpressed cards on thick stock (and you'll want to stock up), plus a tempting mix of vintage glassware, interesting cookbooks, antique cleavers, teeny silver spoons, crystal salt cellars, linen aprons, essentials for baking; an entire batterie de cuisine. If you're on a spring cleaning rampage, head here for natural bristle brushes and potions with names like "Boys Bathroom" and Superlative Hand Soap. Over the years, Nancy has developed a talented team of collaborators. If you've been to one of her cooking classes or pop-up dinners, you'll know what I'm talking about. Chef Paul Barron will continue to offer classes and dinners through Weekend Kitchen (coming up: Potato Gnocchi and Easy Thai), plus home chef services and (coming soon) grab-and-go meals. You'll find Plenty of Cake, literally. Lesley Moore's imaginative treats will be available and by custom order (her gluten free versions may just be the best I've had), and a refrigerator case is on the way, to be stocked with Arethusa Farm's ridiculous fresh butter, milk, and cheese. I've been known to race over pre-party for a last minute ladle or gravy boat; now I'll just have so many more reasons to visit.

Very nice store with lots of nice things but sales person was NOT wearing a mask. It made me quite…read moreuncomfortable as the store has aisles that are a little tight.