Yankee magazine said that Northampton is filled with “cool downtown galleries and boutiques”
The holiday season is creeping up on us, and with it, the need for many folks to go Christmas shopping.
While many cities in towns in Western Massachusetts offer plenty of diverse retail experiences, Northampton remains one of the best. And according to Yankee Magazine, it is the best that New England has to offer.
In its November issue, Yankee listed the five best shopping towns in New England, and Northampton was the only Bay State municipality to make the list.
Northampton is filled with “cool downtown galleries and boutiques” that “elevate gift-giving to an art form,” Yankee wrote.
It praised Paradise City’s gift selection as offering everything from quirky to classic, and said that wandering down Main Street and taking in the retail displays makes the “three long blocks a visual adventure.”
Yankee urged shoppers to grab unique gift items that appeals to them while they have the chance, as many of them are unique handcrafted pieces items made by New England artists that won’t be seen again. The article also tells readers not to miss Bag Day on Nov.19, when shoppers can grab special shopping bags at Thornes Marketplace that entitle them to 20 percent savings at various participating retailers.
The story also singled out shops such as Kestrel (home goods), Faces (novelties and home goods), and PINCH (contemporary pottery and crafts). It touts Woodstar Cafe as a place for a break and a snack.
Other communities that made Yankee’s list were Brattleboro, Vermont; Freeport, Maine; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Ridgefield, Connecticut.