Vineyard Haven Springs Ahead With Lots of New Shops & Restaurants

Each year brings about changes to the towns of Martha’s Vineyard.  For the 2013 season, there are a lot of great new things happening in Vineyard Haven, which has really now become a lively year-round town.

Once filled with a number of empty storefronts, Vineyard Haven is on its way to becoming the town to shop in, and there are now even more options for dining in Vineyard Haven.  Here’s a peak at what’s new.

Brickyard

Introducing the Brickyard, a new home store on Main Street, Vineyard Haven, in the space that used to House Kara Taylor’s gallery.  This store is a new endeavor between two good friends, Scott Mullin and Kate Shanor.  These two have been in the home furnishing and interior design scene on Martha’s Vineyard for a long time, and this store has been something they have been working on make happen for years!

Named after the beautiful Brickyard Beach in Chilmark, this home store has lots of great, one-of-a-kind items that remind you of the beach or other parts of the Island.  Many of the items have been up-cycled — items that have been reclaimed and brought back to life.

Madame Falgoux Returns

Andrea Hirt’s Madame Falgoux reopens after closing for a number of years in the space next to Mocha Motts.  In this relaxed, colorful store, you’ll find Madame Falgoux’s amazing handmade aromatherapy products, lotions and potions, including her Whipped Shea Butter.

This body butter is amazing. I love the lavender!  You’ll also find locally made jewelry, Not Your Sugar Mama’s Chocolates, Art, and more.  The store is fun to pop into and take a look around — you never know what goodies you might find.

Soft As a Grape

In the space that housed Jabas Gallery for years (next to Alley Cat), you’ll now find Soft As a Grape.  This store is a great resource for t-shirts, sweatshirts and other fun Martha’s Vineyard souvenirs.  I can tell you that the store was really busy this past holiday weekend.  As you can imagine, sweatshirts were a hot commodity for people who were visiting and expecting warmer weather.

Stop & Shop Natural Foods Store

I know what you’re thinking — what?  Yes, in the space that used to house the iconic Midnight Farm, you will now find Stop & Shop Natural Foods Store.  I was actually pleasantly surprised at some of the things I found in the store, including a selection of organic baby/toddler snacks that is not available at the bigger stores, and an organic meat selection.  I even found naturally made licorice, which made its way home with me as well.

If you’re stopping at Stop & Shop, it may be worth it for you to poke around this store too.  It’s not Whole Foods, but you may find a couple things of interest.  I have to mention that it has a great selection of gluten free products.  You can also get all your beach needs here too, like coolers, ice packs, beach chairs, etc.

Black Dog Goes Outside

You now have the option to dine outside at the Black Dog Tavern.  They have added quite the pavillion.  There are a number of seats available, lights, fans, new outside bathrooms close by, it’s really quite the addition to the Tavern.

No doubt this is going to be quite the hot spot this Summer for people, especially those waiting for a ferry or friends. Imagine, you can have a beer and a burger by the water and be super close to the ferry.  Also, while you’re there, don’t forget to check out the Black Dog Sailing Museum.

Vineyard Haven Gets Bananas

Bananas Clothing Etc. now has two locations, still the one in West Tisbury, but also now on Main Street, where Bespoke Abode used to be (see below for where Bespoke moved).  Bananas has a unique collection for clothing and accessories and even art.

You can find some well known designers there, like Chan Luu and Michael Stars, but you’ll also find a great selection of smaller designer collections.  Here, you can find something that your friends back in the mainland may seriously envy.

Pan Asian Meets Vineyard Haven

Coming soon to what used to house Zephrus is Copper Wok — JB Blau and Chef Alex Nagi’s newest restaurant endeavor.  This Pan-Asian themed restaurant is definitely going to add some spice to downtown Vineyard Haven.  Want to know a little more about this restaurant — that I can’t wait to try — check out my blog The Scoop on Copper Wok, Food & Drinks Before Opening Day.

Familiar Faces, New Spaces

The new Cafe Moxie reopened in the same space late Fall 2012.  The restaurant has an open, casual vibe,and with Chef Josh Aronie at the wheel, it has become the new hot spot in town to grab a bite, especially lunch.  The restaurant now serves beer and wine too!  I like to grab a bite and sit by the window to people watch.  Always a fun activity during the Summer!  To learn a bit more about Cafe Moxie, check out Cafe Moxie Relaunches With A New Chef Plus Beer & Wine.

Midnight Farm also relocated late last year.  This Island mainstay can now be found where Bunch of Grapes used to be.  With two floors of eclectic clothing and home furnishings and accessories, finding that special item is that much more fun.

Also, after a number of years, Martha’s Vineyard Tile Companyhas a new space.  Annie and Jeremy Bradshaw’s tile store, that is unlike any other tile store you’ve been in before, has a great new home at 123 Beach Road, next to the Vineyard Scripts.  With even more space, their collection of tile is even more amazing.  Whether it’s a mudroom, a bathroom, or an entire house, you have to stop by Martha’s Vineyard Tile Company.  If you want to know more about tile trends on the Island check out Vineyard Home Design: What’s Hot With Tile On The Island.

Just a thought I wanted to share — with Bespoke Abode, LeRoux, Brickyard, Midnight Farm, Juliska, The Beach House, Rainy Day, Martha’s Vineyard Tile Company, and Off Main, Vineyard Haven has somewhat become the unofficial “home goods” town on the Island.

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