Throughout the summer season shops are usually open from about 9am and many stay open for twelve hours or more, available for late night shopping until 9pm or even 10pm. Some quieter shops shut earlier, and during the colder winter months, particularly after Christmas and before the spring, many shops are completely closed. If planning a visit at this time, be aware that most of the shopping may be off the agenda.

Nantucket is known for its unique items, and antiques perhaps provide some particularly interesting possibilities. With so much history evident around you, an antique store seems somehow particularly fitting, and there are some excellent shops. In particular one should try to visit the Nantucket Country which specialises particularly in old antique toys and quilts, with a good range of sea related items too – very appropriate for the island. Additionally, the Nantucket House Antiques should also be given a visit , with a wide range of furniture and home decorating items, from old English items to pre-Civil War antiques, and even ceramics. This is an ideal opportunity to find something memorable and striking to take back.

Photo by Terry Pommett

The shop which started the tradition of Nantucket Reds is Murray’s Toggery Shop, which has become something of a feature of the island – and worth a visit in itself. This distinctive department store provides a wide range of Nantucket Reds in everything from the traditional trousers to caps, scarves, coats, t-shirts and much more. You will certainly be able to blend in as a Nantucket islander wearing these items? Not everything sold here is red, you will be glad to hear, and this department store offers a wide range of items.

The Nantucket Bookworks will definitely appeal to those bookworms who enjoy browsing through tomes of interesting books, some old, others brand new bestsellers. The people who work here seem to have gained something of a reputation for knowing almost everything about the books, and so a chat with one of these people will be at the very least, helpful, and quite probably fascinating in itself!

Photo by Terry Pommett

The Artists’ Association of Nantucket Gallery is a fine collection of artwork produced entirely by those local or resident artists to Nantucket, and depict a wide range of styles and scenes which will not only be a pleasure to enjoy browsing, but as many of these are for sale, they provide excellent souvenirs to capture the spirit and atmosphere of this evocative island even when you are plunged back into civilisation. The exhibitions at the gallery are very frequently updated, and so if you have been before it is well worth another look as you’re almost certain to find new works and exciting new displays. This is a very active and vibrant gallery, with several artists in residence and many classes, talks, lectures and even art classes being provided.

Finally, as far as retail therapy and shopping is concerned, there are several stores which are hard to categorise, but specialise in fascinating items which will definitely appeal. Bella is a soap company, but not simply making bars to shove by the washbasin in your downstairs bathroom. These soaps are made in every colour, every shape, even every size, and with a wide range of exotic and flavoursome aromas that many seem good enough to eat. Certainly here you will find soaps that promise to ease away all stress, and relax you in gentle swathes of scent, and even a trip round the shop is likely to have your nose tingling.

Photo by Terry Pommett

For rugs and fabric oriented interior furnishings the place to go is Claire Murray who specialises in these material based decorations. From wonderfully vibrant and entertaining items for children’s rooms to lavish rugs that would grace any living room, these rugs are wonderfully tactile and visually stunning. With such a range available you’ll be certain to find something to appeal, and if you don’t have room for a full size rug, there are plenty of do it yourself kits available too!

Nantucket Lightship Baskets are fairly abundant, but some of the best can be found amongst the wide variety of interesting items for sale at the Four Winds Craft Guild. Most of the items here have a maritime theme, and are constructed using natural materials in the main. Craft based items are almost all handmade, and evoke a real sense of connection with Nantucket and her history and atmosphere – almost certainly ideal gifts or souvenirs.

If the children have enjoyed the island, seeing the boats, perhaps even sailing the seas, and finding secrets covers that may even hide buried treasure, then they’re sure to love The Sunken Ship, a shop which provides a wide range of clothing, but all of which has a Nantucket theme – including a number of pirate based items for the children! If you’re a fan of souvenir t-shirts, caps and other clothing related to the island, then this is the place to come.