Shop Local in the Berkshires

‘Tis the season to show some much needed love to small and independently-owned businesses. Let the Berkshires be your gift-giving wonderland – and make sure to treat yo’self too!

For anyone who loves to shop, the Berkshires provides ample opportunity for antique picking, hunting down handmade wares, and discovering unique finds at markets, country stores, or charming boutiques tucked away in historic buildings. With the season of gift-giving on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to make a list, check it twice, and plan a shopping holiday in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. 

Something old can be new again for anyone charmed by vintage clothes, antique furniture, or chic Pyrex dishes. The Berkshires is home to many purveyors upcycling and recycling, a trend that is not only trendy but also good for reducing your carbon footprint. One such shop is Catwalk Boutique, specializing in like-new women’s clothing and accessories. The bright, cheerful shops – there are two, one in Lenox and one in Great Barrington – feel more upscale than resale. Look for the designer racks if you’re label hunting. No matter what you find, it’s a guilt-free shopping experience as every purchase benefits the shelter animals at Berkshire Humane Society. For a more traditional antiquing experience, check out Susan Silver Antiques in Sheffield – their specialty is English Georgian and Regency period furniture.

If your aesthetic is more rugged than ritz, you’re in luck. Both the Arcadian Shop in Lenox and Nature’s Closet in Williamstown offer outdoor gear for nature enthusiasts. Suit up to brave the cold or pick out a new swim suit when visiting in warmer months. During the holiday season you’ll find an extensive selection of puffer jackets, cozy sweaters, snuggly hats, and waterproof gloves and shoes – everything you’ll need for a snowy trek in the woods or soaring downhill on one of our many ski slopes.

For handmade items such as crafts, pottery, jewelry, and art by local creatives, pop into Inspired Creations in Lanesborough. Hoffman Pottery in West Stockbridge offers whimsical collections of dinnerware and garden sculptures, and Shaker Mercantile on the grounds of the Hancock Shaker Museum in Pittsfield, has a wide selection of carefully-curated goods from oval wooden boxes, lush textiles, and woven baskets to old fashioned candy, beeswax candles, and beautifully crafted garden tools.

Dory & Ginger, adjacent to Hotel on North in Pittsfield, boasts an array of fine home goods, bar ware, personal accessories, and charming gifts for babies and children – or stop into Dare Bottleshop & Provisions in downtown Lenox for a bottle of wine and set of chic glassware that will add a touch of hip sophistication to your beverage of choice. Give the plant lover in your life a little something green from the floral department of Guido’s Fresh Marketplace where you’ll also find hand-dipped candles in vibrant hues and seasonally inspired dishes, table settings, and picnicware, or stop into Thistle ‘n Thorn Floral for a stunning and unique centerpiece. If you’re feeling crafty, sign up for one of their hands-on workshops to make your own holiday wreath. Kids have a sweet tooth or you have one of your own? Pop into Robin’s Candy in Great Barrington to be wowed by the wonderland of treats!

Whatever you’re shopping for, you’re likely to find it in the Berkshires! 

Find more Berkshire shopping inspiration here, and if you’re interested in experiencing a cannabis dispensary during your visit, explore this list of companies eager to shepherd your journey. Also, in addition to Small Business Saturday on November 25, 2023, consider supporting our museum gift shops the following day on Museum Store Sunday. A few ideas…Berkshire Scenic Railway Museum, Chesterwood, The Clark, MASS MoCA, The Norman Rockwell Museum, Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum, and the Williams College Museum Shop. This #shoplocal season, enjoy shopping #intheberkshires!

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