Uncommonly Great Goods
They're labeled "gift" shops, but that doesn't mean you can't purchase an item (or two) for yourself.
The Heron Shop, Kent, CT
You might enter these “gift” shops with certain intentions, but we dare you to walk out without buying something for yourself.
Museum Outlets
Pittsfield, MA
As an offshoot of Museum Facsimiles, a greeting card, fine art print company, and framing facility, this elegant store is walled with framed French prints and antique maps. But there’s so much more: soft leather crossbody bags in a rainbow of color, ponchos and shawls, body products for women and men, block print table linens, sculptures and clocks, and jewelry. Your eye won’t know where to focus first (in a good way).
The Heron Shop
Kent, CT
If you hear giggles upon walking into Heron, chances are shoppers have come upon a table of tumbled marble coasters imprinted with truly hilarious statements (“4 out of 3 people struggle with math.” “Sometimes I wonder what happened to the people who asked me directions.”) They’ll lighten your spirits as you look at everything else in this color-drenched shop on Main Street: toys and games, hand-blown glass creamers and pitchers, ceramics, artwork, flowy women’s apparel as well as accessories, cards, and books.
Demitasse
Millerton, NY
Diminutive Demitasse was opened in 2020 by Hayden and Richard Greer with a mission: to sell environmentally and socially conscious goods. In fact, more than 90 percent of the companies they purchase from are women owned, and most of them have a nonprofit aspect to them. Check out the Milkbarn infant and toddler apparel and accessories in adorable animal and nature prints; the company supports Exile International, which empowers rescued child soldiers and children orphaned by war. That’s something you can appreciate while you fall in love with all the other similarly inspired companies and the store’s apparel, jewelry, greeting cards, desk accessories, bath products, and home goods.
Clove & Creek
Hudson, NY
Whether you’re looking for gifts for a gardener, a reader, a cook, or (who are we kidding) yourself, Clove & Creek will have just the right thing. The store has the feel of an old-timey mercantile, but the merchandise is sophisticated and modern. You’ll find flax linen bedding and oversized, comfy apparel in (mostly) neutral tones; an eclectic assortment of art, poetry, food and other books; candles, cleaning supplies, and apothecary products. Garden tools made by DeWit in Holland are artfully constructed and available in something we've never come across before: hoes and weeders designed for lefties. We're impressed!
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