Our guide to local shops to support during the holiday season and throughout the year!
Books
Silver Unicorn Bookstore, Acton http://www.silverunicornbooks.com/
The Concord Bookshop http://www.concordbookshop.com/
Barrow Book Store, Concord http://barrowbookstore.weebly.com/
The Thoreau Society Shop at Walden Pond https://www.shopatwaldenpond.org/Default.asp
Valley Wild Books, Littleton https://www.valleywildbookstore.com/
Pet Supplies
Great Road Farm and Garden, Littleton http://www.greatroadfarmandgarden.com/
Fish Nook Pet Center, Acton http://www.thefishnookpetcenter.com/
Loyal Companion, Acton https://loyalcompanion.com/a/pages/locations/153/loyal-companion-acton
Kitchen Items
Kitchen Outfitters, Acton http://www.kitchen-outfitters.com/
Crafts/Sewing/Art
Albright Art Supply, Concord https://albrightartsupply.com/
Island Yarn Company, Maynard https://island-yarn.com/
Art Galleries & Studios
Gallery Seven Frame Shop & Fine Art Gallery, Maynard http://www.gallerysevenmaynard.com/
6 Bridges Gallery, Maynard http://6bridges.gallery/
ArtSpace Maynard http://www.artspacemaynard.com/
Clark Gallery, Lincoln http://www.clarkgallery.com/
Lexington Arts & Crafts Society https://www.lexart.org/
Lucy Lacoste Gallery, Concord http://www.lucylacoste.com/
Great Road Gallery & Framing, Bedford http://www.greatroadgallery.com/
Three Stones Gallery, Concord https://www.threestonesgallery.com/
Powers Gallery & Fine Framing, Acton http://www.powersgallery.com/
Toys
Learning Express, Acton http://www.learningexpress.com/store/acton/
Learning Express Toys & Play, Bedford https://learningexpress.com/bedford
Catch A Falling Star, Lexington https://www.facebook.com/catchafallingstartoy
Lingerie
Jo Karen Fine Lingerie, Acton http://www.jokaren.com/
Gift Items
Handworks Gallery, Acton http://www.handworksgallery.net/
The Paper Store, all locations (locally owned and based in Acton) https://www.thepaperstore.com
Homespun, Lexington http://thewaldorfschool.org/homespun-store
Mass Audubon Shop, Lincoln https://www.massaudubon.org/about-us/mass-audubon-shop
Something Special, 145 Lincoln Rd, Lincoln
Firefly Moon Gifts, Lexington http://www.fireflymoongift.com/
Crafty Yankee, Lexington http://www.craftyyankee.com/
Revolutionary Concord, Concord https://www.revolutionaryconcord.com
Joy Street Life + Home, Concord http://www.joystreetgifts.com/
Nesting, Concord https://nestingconcord.com/
Artisans Way, Concord http://www.artisansway.net/
Patina Green, Concord http://shoppatinagreen.com/
Dotted I, Concord http://www.thedottedi.net/
Comina, Concord http://www.comina.com/
Bee's Knees British Imports, Concord https://www.thebeeskneesbritishimports.com/
Kind Goods, Maynard http://www.kindgoodsmarket.com/
Sugar Snap, Maynard https://thesugar-snap.com/
Oliver's Wands and Wizarding Ware, Maynard http://www.nemischief.com/
Hardware
Moison Ace Hardware, Bedford http://www.moisonace.com/
Shattuck Ace Hardware, Lexington http://www.shattuckhardware.com/
Garden Center
Seasons Four, Lexington https://www.seasonsfour.com/
Wagon Wheel, Lexington http://wagonwheelinc.com/
New England Nurseries, Bedford http://www.newenglandnurseries.com/
Mahoney's Garden Center, Concord http://mahoneysgarden.com/
Stonegate Gardens, Lincoln http://stonegategardens.com/
Music
The Music Emporium, Lexington http://www.themusicemporium.com/
Leonards Music, Bedford http://www.leonardsmusic.com/
Osmun Music, Acton http://www.osmun.com/
Appliances
Doyon's Appliance, Bedford http://www.doyonsappliance.com/
Gaming/Collectibles
Legends Comix and Games, Littleton http://www.legendscomix.com/
Gaming Etc., Acton http://www.gamingetc.com/
Omar's World of Comics & Hobbies, Lexington https://omarsworldofcomics.com/
Excelsior Comics and Games, Maynard http://excelsiorcomicsandgames.com/
Collectors Paradise, 35 Nason St, Maynard
Hit & Run Sports and Games, Lexington http://www.hitandrunma.com/
Jewelry
Richard Goddard Goldsmith, Maynard http://goddardgoldsmiths.com/
Artinian's Jewelry, Lexington http://artinianjewelry.com/
Bonafine Jewelers, Lexington http://www.bonafinejewelers.com/
Boston Bijoux, Acton http://www.bostonbijoux.com/
Fairbank and Perry Goldsmiths, Concord http://www.fairbankandperry.com/
Sports
Soccer Stuff, Acton http://shop.esoccerstuff.com/
Maynard Outdoor Store http://www.maynardoutdoor.net/
Tricon Sports, Lexington http://www.triconsports.com/
Pedal Power, Acton https://www.pedpow.com/
Marx Running & Fitness Center, Acton http://www.marxrunning.com/
Concord Outfitters http://www.concordoutfitters.com/
Brine's Sporting Goods, Concord http://www.brinesportinggoods.com/
Gourmet Items
Art's Specialties, Maynard http://www.artsspecialties.com/
Priscilla Candy Shop, Concord http://www.priscillacandy.com/
Gräem Nuts and Chocolate, Concord http://www.graemroasters.com/
Debra's Natural Gourmet, Concord http://www.debrasnaturalgourmet.com/
New England Olive Oil Co, Concord http://www.neoliveoil.com/
MA-France, Lexington http://mafrancegourmet.com/
Wilson Farm, Lexington http://www.wilsonfarm.com/
Concord Cheese Shop http://www.concordcheeseshop.com/
Clothing
Michelson's Shoes, Lexington http://michelsonshoes.com/
Wish, Acton http://www.stylebywish.com/
Blue Dry Goods, Concord https://bluedrygoods.com/
Grasshopper Shop, Concord http://www.grasshoppershopconcord.com/
Juju, Concord https://www.facebook.com/JuJu-147639568583773/
French Lessons Boutique, Concord https://www.facebook.com/French-Lessons-Boutique-340085382869
Lyn Evans, Concord https://www.lynevans.com/
Fritz & Gigi Children's Shop, Concord http://www.fritzandgigi.com/
Raspberry Beret, Maynard http://raspberryberet.us/
Home Items
Signature Stationers, Lexington https://signaturestationers.com/
JACK + TOBA, Concord https://www.facebook.com/jackandtoba
Recreation (think gift cards)
Apex Entertainment, Marlborough https://www.apexentertainment.com/
Altitude Trampoline Park, Billerica http://www.altitudeparkma.com/
Kimball Farm, Westford http://kimballfarm.com/
Little Gym, Littleton https://www.thelittlegym.com/littletonma
Art Signals, Maynard http://www.artsignalsstudio.com/
Some thoughts about shopping local:
First Step -- Is There a Local Independent Shop That Carries the Item You Need?
Items may cost a bit more at local retailers but your purchases are what keep them alive. Plus they give amazing service, and the owners really care about you and their products. Here are the benefits to shopping local:
- For every $100 you spend at locally owned businesses, $68 stays in the community. If you spend $100 at a national chain, only $43 stays in the community.
- Shopping locally encourages businesses to stay and thrive, creating diversity, choice, local jobs, interesting destinations, and a strong community. Who wants to visit an area that has all the same chain stores? People like to visit towns with unique, dynamic local businesses.
If you don’t have time to browse or are worried about the safety of shopping in the store, make a list of what you need and call them. Many will gladly put together an order for you and provide curbside pickup. If they don't have what you need in stock, many will be able to order the items for you.
Second Step -- If No Local Independent Store Carries Your Item, How About a Larger National Store?
I’d really like to keep those larger chains in business. I LIKE going in and looking at laptops, cameras, gaming systems, XBOX games, music, bedding, etc. The salespeople are usually pretty helpful, I can generally get what I need the same day, and those stores provide tons of jobs for so many local people, including my teens.
If you can’t find what you need at an independent local store, try chains like:
- Best Buy
- Petco
- Petsmart
- Michaels
- Joann Fabrics & Crafts
- Dick’s Sporting Goods
- GameStop
- Aubuchon Hardware
They all have excellent websites with pickup and shipping options.
Lastly, try Walmart, Target and other global retailers. Then, if you must, head to Amazon.
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