Fans of Marimekko fabrics and clothing will remember that Design Research in Cambridge brought these midcentury designs to the US in the late 1950s. Founded in Helsinki, Finland, the loose, colorful, and whimsical graphics of these unique pieces were made famous when future first lady Jacqueline Kennedy bought eight Marimekko dresses and wore them throughout the 1960 US presidential campaign.
With the holiday season approaching, the quest for a truly unique and meaningful gift begins! Did you know that several new businesses have opened in West Concord recently? These ‘hidden gems’ are a wonderful discovery – and well worth the trip to find them. They are all women-owned shops, and they specialize in artisanal, fair-trade, and one-of-a-kind gifts and home goods. Take a trip with us to discover them!
The wines, spirits, and craft beers at Vintages all have one thing in common; they are carefully curated and often made by smaller production (or family-run) makers who care deeply about the quality of their product.
The first thing that struck me as I walked into the newly opened Concord Art and Antiques was the light, bright, and airy feel of this delightful shop. The friendly smiles of co-owners Bobbi Benson and Joy Moore instantly transformed the sometimes-intimidating process of shopping for antiques into a relaxing afternoon with friends (who happen to be incredibly knowledgeable about their carefully curated collection of beautiful pieces). What a wonderful experience!
Lucinda Sears, Donna Biscotti, and Trish Zarola of The Bee’s Knees British Imports have created a delightful space with just the right touches to create the perfect tea break on a cozy fall afternoon. From British chocolates and biscuits (cookies, as we call them here), to cozy throws, refined teas, and the stunning pots and cups in which to serve them—this charming shop has it all.
In England in 1992, two young moms, Nancy Traversy and Tessa Strickland, couldn’t find the kinds of books they wanted for their kids: visually captivating stories that celebrated global awareness and sparked curiosity. So, they started a fledgling children’s publishing company from their homes. Now, 30 years later and based in Concord, MA, Barefoot Books is an award-winning, international business named by Forbes as one of the 25 Best Small Companies in America.
Meet Patti Ganek and Lyca Blume. Patti’s paintings of semi-abstract florals and seascapes seem as if they were created spontaneously from the ether of her imagination. Lyca creates one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces made from unique beads, pendants, and watch movement pieces collected on her travels.
For more than 30 years, Debra Stark tirelessly led her community towards a healthier lifestyle by making organic and healthy foods available at her “Natural Gourmet” store – first opened in 1989 at a time when most people thought of health food as “tofu and twigs.” Debra’s charm, persistence, and genuine belief in what she was trying to achieve eventually overcame the naysayers, and the shop soon became a thriving cornerstone for the West Concord community and beyond.
When you’re a kid, spring and summer are about long, lazy days spent playing, exploring, and having fun. We talked with Marie Foley, owner of The Concord Toy Box, to discover this year’s most popular summer toys and games.
The Friends of Minute Man National Park are sponsoring what must be one of the best fundraising programs in a very long time! You can buy a gorgeous wool fedora hat made with wool from the Minute Man sheep herd and the proceeds go to care for the sheep.
