I really want to like the Menage Gallery, but I simply cannot. Their collection of carved animals is really cool, and some of the furniture they sell is very nice, however, their prices are ridiculous and they lie to their customers about the origin of many pieces, most notably the carved animal statues. I was once trying to decide if I really did want to plunk down $70 for a carved cat holding a fish or a carved dog holding a bone, so I decided to ask the shop clerk about the carved animal statues. Were they truly unique? I had never seen them elsewhere, so when she told me a story about the artist selling only to Melange Gallery and how he had a system to use only certain trees and then it was his people's custom to re-plant a tree to make up for what they took, I found it intriguing. The story was so well told that I suspect this is the story everyone gets that inquires. Alas, I just couldn't do it- that was too much money for something decorative. Fast forward not even a month- my boyfriend and I are browsing a store in Boston, and we see 20 of the same carved animal statues. And, they are all 50 to 75% less in price! We asked the clerk where the store got the statues, and were informed that they're like most items from Mexico and Nepal- factory made. Nice, thanks for making up a complete bs story, Melange Gallery! If that wasn't enough, most of their higher priced decorative items look like the gallery stole them from a third grade art class. Sloppy work, billed as being unique, for insane prices. Again- no thanks. I realize this place is just here to bilk tourists, which many shops in downtown Gloucester do, but I just can't give them a good rating when they outright lie about their products. I would avoid this shop and take a train to Boston where you can find several other shops selling the "unique" carvings! read more

The Menage Gallery - Menage Gallery in Gloucester, MA - Art Galleries Near Me - Gloucester, Massachusetts

Owner obnoxious. When browsing in his store a member of my party picked up a WOOD carving and the guy loudly yells "if you break it you bought it". The customer was an adult not a child. The customer apologized but he then continues to lecture us about touching the merchandise. I said he was unfriendly and he got defensive. Would you buy something you can't pick up? Ed lost a really good sale. Any good reviews must be family helping him out. Notice the common theme of most of the reviews. read more

Do not custom order anything from Ed. He is rude, has ridiculous prices, and will lie to you about the wood that he uses. I asked for oak and got plywood with oak veneers for 500.00, for a 4x 4 bookcase. I was young and dumb, what can I say read more

Exquisite master woodwork, that is designed by the owner. I have read the reviews on the service, but the stuff in the store is pricey but really nicely done. I wouldnt buy the animals... but some of the coffee tables or wine racks would look quite nice in any home! read more

Around Christmas, I came to this store looking for a unique gift for my wife. There was an elderly lady behind the counter, who didn't know ONE thing about the artists that did the different works. There were items such as furniture, wall hangings, knickknacks, carved animals, kitchen items, glassware and other things. All she could say was "...call the owner". I think that the owner needs to hire someone with at least two brain cells to rub together to create some spark in this counter helper's head. (To call it counter help, though, implies that help was actually given, which it was not) A trained monkey could do better than what she did. And all she did was stand behind the counter. Too bad, under new ownership and management this shop could have potential, especially if the artists are local. I have heard this particular area of Cape Ann is chock FULL of artists, and I came to this location SPECIFICALLY for that reason. (I am from NYC, and there is no lack of talented artists there, so I was hopeful to find a few diamonds in the rough) This was NOT an informative nor helpful visit. For the Rocky Neck and other local artists sake, I hope they don't take their wares to this shop to sell, as they will not receive recognition for their hard work. I would HIGHLY recommend that you find out who the artist is that does the work you want to buy, then go DIRECTLY to them, as this shop is NO HELP ********** WHATSOEVER***********!!! Liked: Disliked: read more

We found the Gallery by accident one Saturday Night while strolling down town in 2011 We were really taken by the quality and detail of the workmanship of the bigger pieces in his store. We were in the market for a Butcher Block Table. After seeing some of the pieces in the store, Ed offered to come to our home in Newburyport to see what space we were trying to fill and the functionality we were looking for. Ed designed a custom piece with many more features than we had even thought about. This is something Ed is really good at. In the end, we got e custom made, fully functional piece for just about the same cost of the Thomas Boos pre-fab Butcher block tables we saw on line. The piece became a focal point in out kitchen. Can't answer to nick knack pieces in The store and whether or not the cost is a value or not but if you are in the market for High Quality, Custom work from a wood artist and not a carpenter... Ed is the real deal. I will say, if you are in a hurry....then you may have a problem. Ed is an Artist and like all true Artist, there work can not be rushed. We had the luxury of time so allowing ED's creative side to mature worked well for us. . read more

We had such high hopes for this store: quaint, beautiful furniture, scenic location, nice people. However, an order we placed with them was not delivered on time. Ok. A month later, it still had not been delivered. But, ok, we were told to wait just another week. A week passes - the furniture is still not delivered. At this point, we asked for our money back. They told us, "no problem, we'll cut the check for you today." Great. A few weeks go by with no check arriving. We call again. And again. And again. Finally, today, three months after we initially walked into the store, we have our refund. Basically a long, exhausting experience to provide them with a very small business loan. Bottom line: I cannot recommend the customer service or the reliability of this business. read more

I stopped by to see the products my former husband Ed was selling. The workmanship is excellent but the prices seem to be a bit high. I really would like to purchase one of the wooden fishes. Maybe this Sept. I will stop by again . Glad to see he is doing well. read more

No stars for you! We walked in and I saw a nice pottery hanger, but I couldn't find a price. I CAREFULLY turned it in the hopes of finding a tag. The store owner completely laid me out and said I was going make it fall. I explained that I was trying to find the price. And he just yelled further! He said I shouldn't touch the merchandise. I said that it would be a good idea to put the price where people could read it. He got really mad and said "so, you going to fight me now!" Really??!! A "help wanted" sign in his store said "someone who understands retail". As a category manager for a Fortune 500 company, I am an award winning ,certified, retail space planner. Rule one: don't be rude. Rule two: place items in a visually appealing way that encourages the customer to purchase the item. He continued to barrage me with insults, so I left. I am a middle aged woman with disposable income. A perfect demographic for this store. It should be noted that a complete stranger on the street approached me and said he was appalled at the treatment I received. read more

If you or anyone you know is considering hiring Ed Soucy for a carpentry job, please read this review (and ask around town) first, and then hire someone with a reputable name instead. As people who have hired him will tell you, he does not hold up his end of his business dealings. When speaking with people in the know around town about our situation, they have added their own stories- which sound a lot like ours. Please save yourselves the anxiety (and the money) by going to someone who will actually do the work you are paying him to do. At the very least, ask around town- you will find several professionals who will warn you against losing your money to a job that will never get done. read more