The Maynard Grapevine's 2019 Shopping Guide, Part 1 (the list)

Items from Be the Love

The holidays are just a few short days in December, with so many days of preparation. People have such mixed feelings about all the celebrations. During this time of year, as winter begins to settle in, what we all seem to lack--what we long for--is connection. In Maynard it’s fairly easy to be connected--we have this amazing little downtown where we can run into each other or just be recognized (and waved to) from across Nason Street. 

Here you can learn the name of the person behind the counter of the store you’re visiting, and the next time you go in it will likely be the same person. In a small town like ours, it’s easy to care about each other because it actually matters. Our local businesses decide that it’s important to support charities, activities, and events that are important to the community, and we, in turn support them. It’s a symbiotic relationship in a dense space that results in a sense of caring that is palpable. I’ve lived here twenty-two years, and it just keeps getting better. 
Without further ado...
Welcome to Part 1 of the 2019 Maynard Grapevine Shopping Guide!
(Part 2 will be as many photos as I could collect.)

Hopefully you’re reading this in time to get the ArtSpace Maynard Holiday Sale. It’s taking place this weekend, December 6-8. More information.

On my list you’ll find items that repeat because they fell under different categories-—I’m trying to put myself in your shoes and figure out what you might need. I will include a contact information list for all the businesses I mention, and if I haven't listed one send me a message.

Heading toward Christmas
Not enough decorating done? No worries.

• Christmas ornaments and decorations: 6 Bridges Gallery, The Paper Store, Sugar Snap, CVS. 

• Make-your-own ornaments Art Signals, Maker’s Workshop

• Poinsettias, flower arrangements and wreaths: The Flower Pot, Hawes Florist, Seidy's Garden

Not enough time to cook? Need something to take to a party?

• Sweet treats: The Boston Bean, The Compulsive Baker, The Cookie Lady, Art’s Specialties, Serendipity Cafe
• Catered Meal: Mark Valentine Catering

If you love someone from Maynard who shops local and don’t know what to give them:

• A gift certificate to their favorite restaurant--so many to choose from

• A keychain with the 01754 zip code on it: Kind Goods

• A gift certificate to the place they get their hair cut or nails done (see services)

• A gift certificate to where they work out: Aim for Fitness, Anytime Fitness, 5 Peaks Fitness, Be the Love, Metrowest Kung Fu, The Concord School of Taekwon-do

• A season of lawn mowing or snow blowing: Vintage Lawn
• A membership to the Assabet Village Food Co-op
• Twelve movie passes to the Fine Arts Theatre
• A bottle of Maynard's port wine (yup, it's a brand!): Art's Specialties

Fun/Kid Stuff

Lots of stuff to keep your young-hearted people amused. 

• Stuffed animals: The Paper Store

• Dance Lessons: Miss Tricia's Dance Studio

• Matchbox cars: Collector’s Paradise

• Game Cards (Pokémon, Magic the Gathering): Excelsior Comics

• Harry Potter merchandise, wands: Oliver's Wands and Wizarding Wares

• Kids art supplies: The Paper Store, CVS

• Games (classic, new): The Paper Store, Collector’s Paradise

• Art/project kits: The Paper Store

• Kids’ books: Video Signals, The Paper Store, the Maynard Public Library’s ongoing book sale

• Comic Books: Excelsior Comics, Underdog Comics (local comics illustrator)

• Legos or Duplo blocks: The Paper Store

• Action Figures: Excelsior Comics, Collector’s Paradise

• Brain teaser puzzles: The Paper Store

• Build your own adventure kit (compass, pocket knife, flashlight, etc.):The Outdoor Store

• Classic candies: Sugar Snap, Oliver's Wands and Wizarding Wares

• Sled or snow tube: Outdoor Store

• Martial Arts lessons: Metrowest Kung Fu, the Concord School of Taekwon-do

• Vintage toys: Collector’s Paradise

• Take someone to Oliver’s Wands and Wizarding Wares to get something (the shop is a joy itself).

• Kids art classes: Michelle Garro (ArtSpace), Silk and Clay Studio (ArtSpace), Art Signals

• Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans: Oliver’s Wands and Wizarding Wares

• DVD: Art Signals/Video Signals

• Maynardopoly game: Middlesex Bank, The Paper Store, Serendipity Cafe

• Buy them a blank ceramic form to glaze later: Art Signals

Experiences

Classes (these don’t take up space):

These are the long-lasting gifts, the ones that might push someone to try out a new idea, rekindle an old interest, pursue a path they've never tried, or take some time for themselves. All of these could be done with a friend or loved one to not just give a gift, but also make memories!

• Knitting or crochet classes: Island Yarn Company, Dee Cohen (ArtSpace)

• Paint your own silk scarf: Silk and Clay Studio (ArtSpace)

• Using 3D printers and laser cutters: Maker’s Workshop 

• Martial Arts lessons: Metrowest Kung Fu, the Concord School of Taekwon-do

• Classical Guitar Lessons: Berit Strong (ArtSpace)

• Yoga: Be the Love Yoga, Metrowest Kung Fu 

• Session with a personal trainer: Aim for Fitness, Anytime Fitness, 5 Peaks Fitness

• Writing/storytelling workshops: Ruth Herman (ArtSpace)

• Painting classes for adults: Michelle Garro (ArtSpace), Sandy Wilensky (ArtSpace), Ernie Stonebraker (ArtSpace)

• Adult pottery class: Mary Henderson (ArtSpace), Kind Goods

• Sewing Classes: Donna Melanson (ArtSpace), Aimeé Ledwell (private)
• Sculpture classes: Arlene Fins (ArtSpace)

• Improv class: ACME Theater (ArtSpace)

• Kids art classes: Michelle Garro (ArtSpace), Silk and Clay Studio (ArtSpace), Art Signals

• Couples workout sessions: Aim for Fitness

• Dance and movement classes: Dreamscape Collaborative,

• Zumba classes: Aim for Fitness, Metrowest Kung Fu

• Reiki training: Be the Love

• A series of 3 group workouts with 5 of your besties: Aim for Fitness

• A group beer tasting and BYO pizza: Amory’s Tomb

• Write that memoir: Ruth Herman (ArtSpace)

Make your own Gifts

These really should be done in October, like my list, but maybe there's a chance. If you can't get there in time, see about buying a blank or unfinished item, and letting the gift receiver know what you've got planned. 

• Paint your own pottery: Video Signals/Art Signals

• Make your own pottery: Kind Goods, Silk and Clay Studio (ArtSpace)

• Paint a special platter for someone: Art Signals, Silk and Clay Studio (ArtSpace)

• Knit someone a hat or scarf: Island Yarn Company

• Personalized laser cut leather keychains, boxes, picture frames: Maker’s Workshop


• Screen printed pottery: Art Signals

• Also, many classes listed above would have the person making excellent gifts for next year—a gift that gives back!

Wearing it

Many of you can get yourself dressed up for the holidays right here in town—Raspberry Beret has lovely party clothes. But when you want to give an article of clothing or jewelry, check out the options below. (Don't forget gift certificates!) 

• Crazy Christmas sweaters: Raspberry Beret 

• Men’s jeans: Outdoor Store

• Local-made jewelry: 6 Bridges Gallery, Kind Goods, ArtSpace jewelers (ArtSpace), Richard Goddard Goldsmith

• A pair of sunglasses: LOOK Optical, Outdoor Store

• Fun socks: The Paper Store, Outdoor Store

• Business-branded T-shirts: Serendipity Cafe, Aim for Fitness

• Leggings: Outdoor Store, Be the Love, CVS

• Designer-label clothing: Raspberry Beret

• Boots: Outdoor Store, Raspberry Beret

• Underwear: Outdoor Store, CVS

• Red Sox, Bruins, or Patriots shirts and caps: The Paper Store, Outdoor Store

• Pajamas: Outdoor Store, The Paper Store

• Earrings: Richard Goddard (jeweler), Kind Goods, 6 Bridges Gallery, Raspberry Beret

• Workout Clothes/yoga clothes: Outdoor Store, Be the Love

• Gloves or mittens: Outdoor Store, Raspberry Beret, 6 Bridges Gallery

• Pair of women’s jeans: Outdoor Store

• Really cozy women’s sweater: Raspberry Beret, Outdoor Store

• Coat: The Outdoor Store, Raspberry Beret 

• Hats: Outdoor Store, Raspberry Beret, 6 Bridges Gallery, Denishe Hats (ArtSpace)

• Plaid flannel shirt: The Outdoor Store

• Travel wrap/sweater: Kind Goods

• Artistic eyeglass frames: LOOK Optical

• Scarf: Kind Goods, 6 Bridges Gallery, Outdoor Store, Raspberry Beret, 

• Men’s sweater: Outdoor Store

• Thermal underwear: Outdoor Store

• Handbags: 6 Bridges Gallery, Kind Goods, Raspberry Beret

Active people

Whether they need to keep moving, or are taking up a new activity, you've got them covered.

• A cyclists tire repair kit: Ray and Sons

• A new bike: Ray and Sons

• Bicycle pump: Ray and Sons, Outdoor Store

• Ice skates: Outdoor Store

• Baseball mitt: Outdoor Store

• A bicycle helmet, water bottle, and bike bell: Ray and Sons, Outdoor Store

• A Swiss army knife:  Outdoor Store

• A pair of binoculars: Outdoor Store

• Hockey Gear: Outdoor Store

• Camping Gear: Outdoor Store

• Fishing Gear: Outdoor Store

• Snowshoes: Outdoor Store

• Reussable water bottle: Outdoor Store

• See also “Classes” for fitness and workout classes

Food related:

The gift that disappears—it's like magic!

• Maynard local maple syrup: Art’s Specialties

• Coffees and Teas: Serendipity Cafe, The Boston Bean House, Art’s Specialties, Be the Love, Kind Goods

• Chocolates: The Paper Store, Art’s Specialties

• “A tour of Asia” restaurant deck—gift certificates (Chinese, Thai, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese and Indian): China Ruby, Siam Village, Thai Chili, Little Pusan, Gigi’s, Smack Noodle, and Cafe of India

• Bottles of wine: Art’s Specialties, Main Street Liquors

• Special beer brews: Art’s Specialties, Amory’s Tomb

• A collection of hot sauces: Art’s Specialties

• Fancy cheeses: Art’s Specialties

• Meal prep every week/month: Mark Valentine Catering

• Locally-made cookies and treats: Art’s Specialties, The Cookie Lady, Serendipity Cafe, The Boston Bean, The Compulsive Baker

• A hand-glazed platter from the kids: Video Signals/Art Signals

• A reusable travel mug: Serendipity Cafe (put a gift card in it)

• Vintage kitchen gear: Collector’s Paradise

• A night out of fancy tapas (Spanish small plates): Azúcar

• Specialty foods for gift baskets: Art’s Specialties
• Hand-crafted cutting board: Julie James (private)

• Beautiful handmade mug: 6 Bridges Gallery, Kind Goods, Silk and Clay (ArtSpace)

• For the pizza lover: gift certificates for each pizza place so they can judge the best: Maynard Pizza House, Roasted Peppers, Pizza Express, Maynard Village Pizza

• Collection of olive oil or vinegar: Art’s Specialties 

• A round of Margaritas: El Huipil Restaurant

• Wine bottle openers: The Paper Store

• Pretty cutting board: Kind Goods

• Specialty spices and seasonings: Art’s Specialties, Kind Goods

• A salt slab for grilling meats: Trunature Salt Therapy 

• Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans: Oliver’s Wands and Wizarding Wares

• Gift certificates for restaurants: You’re surrounded

Health, Wellness, Relaxation, Pampering

You know who in your life needs a little centering or a little self care. 

• Yoga: Be the Love, Metrowest Kung Fu

• Sessions with a personal trainer: Aim for Fitness, Anytime Fitness, 5 Peaks Fitness

• Meditation: Pathways to Wellness

• Health club Membership: Anytime Fitness

• Core movement classes: Pathways to Wellness

• Dance/movement classes: Dreamscape Collaborative, Miss Tricia's Dance Studio

• Manicures: Crystal Nail and Spa, Toast ‘n Shine

• Sound healing: Trunature Salt Therapy

• Massage: Pathways to Wellness, Bailey’s Therapeutic Massage, Massage Visits

• Essential oils: Be the Love

• Health club Membership: Anytime Fitness

• Salt cave session: Trunature Salt Therapy

• Meditation: Pathways to Wellness

• Core movement classes: Pathways to Wellness

• Yoga: Be the Love Yoga, Metrowest Kung Fu 

• Sessions with a personal trainer: Aim for Fitness, Anytime Fitness, 5 Peaks Fitness

Services

A varied list of things you could hire other people to do for someone special to you.

• Meal prep every week/month: Mark Valentine Catering

• Have a special memento or photo framed: Gallery Seven 

• Custom-made jewelry: Richard Goddard Jeweler, Bone Flow Studio (ArtSpace)

• Spa day for a favorite pooch: Scrub-a-Dog, Wags to Whiskers, Dirty Paws

• Manicures: Crystal Nail and Spa, Royal Nails, Toast ‘n Shine, CC Nails & Spa, Flawless

• A tan: Toast ‘n Shine Tan and Spa

• A season of lawn mowing/snow plowing service: Vintage Lawn

• A repair to a favorite piece of jewelry, resizing a ring: Richard Goddard (jeweler)

• Get their computer fixed: Tech Town

• Massage: Pathways to Wellness, Bailey’s Therapeutic Massage, Massage Visits

• A cut and color: Designing Women, Flawless, Hair in Harmony, Revelations by Robin, VV’s Hair Studio, Blush Hair Salon, Max’s Barber Shop, Terry’s Barber Shop, Max’s Barber Shop

• A psychic reading: Oliver’s Wands and Wizarding Wares

• Have the screen repaired on their electronic device: Grady Sharpe

• Flowers delivered for every month that there's snow on the ground: The Flower Pot, Hawes Florist, Seidy's Garden

Gifts that don’t take up much space 

They really don't have any interest in adding to their clutter. Try these things.

• Gift certificate for an original piece of art: ArtSpace (80+ artists), 6 Bridges Gallery

• Multipack movie passes, or movie gift basket: Fine Arts Theatre

• A season subscription for local theater (plays): ACME Theater

• See also Classes, Services, Health, Wellness and Pampering

• A round of Margaritas: El Huipil Restaurant

• Catered Meal: Mark Valentine Catering

• A group beer tasting and BYO pizza: Amory’s Tomb

• Get your best friends together and do some Zumba: Aim for Fitness

• Salt caves: Trunature Salt Therapy
• Restring or repair their classical orchestral instrument: Spencer Brook Strings
• And of course, plenty of gift certificates to any of Maynard’s great restaurants

I hope this doesn't make me a jerk... I have been known to buy my out-of-town family members/friends gift certificates to Maynard places. It's my way of letting them know that I'd really love to have them come spend time with my family.

Miscellaneous

I just didn't know where to put these. Anyone might be able to use these gifts. 

• Tools: Butler Lumber, Parker Hardware, Maynard Supply

• A beautiful, glowing salt lamp: Trunature Salt Therapy

• Leather wallet or money clip: Outdoor Store, Kind Goods

• Decorative candles: The Paper Store, Kind Goods, Be the Love

• A sedum/air plant to liven up a room: Seidy's Garden, Be the Love

• Stationary/cards: The Paper Store, 6 Bridges gallery, Kind Goods and…

• Stamps!: the Maynard Post Office

• A set of bamboo cutlery and a reusable straw Kind Goods

• Encourage your older family members to write about their lives with a calendar of writing prompts: Ruth Herman (ArtSpace)

• A custom piece of jewelry using sand from a special place: Donna Shapleigh (ArtSpace)

• Handmade soaps: 6 Bridges Gallery, Kind Goods

• Sports memorabilia: Collector’s Paradise, Outdoor Store

• A salt brick/board for grilling meat: Trunature Salt Therapy

• Jewelry Box: 6 Bridges Gallery

• Yarn/knitting enthusiasts: Island Yarn Company

• Blank journal: 6 Bridges Gallery, Paper Store, Maker’s Workshop, Be the Love

• A piece of local, one-of-a-kind art: 6 Bridges Gallery, Gallery 7, ArtSpace Maynard

• Semi-precious stones, pretty stones: Oliver’s Wands and Wizarding Wares, Be the Love

• Collectable coins: Collector’s Paradise

• Calendars: The Paper Store

• Tech gear: The Paper Store

• Oddities: Collector’s Paradise

• Books: Video/Art Signals, The Paper Store, Library’s ongoing book sale

• Sports Team mugs: The Paper Store

• Stocking stuffers galore: Sugar Snap, The Outdoor Store, Collector’s Paradise, The Paper Store, Art's Specialties

• Men’s shaving/personal grooming kits: Kind Goods

• A season of lawn mowing/snow plowing service: Vintage Lawn

• Locally-made beeswax lip balm: 6 Bridges Gallery

And don’t forget—when the holidays are long over, there’s lots of cool stuff right here in Maynard. Keep this list in mind whenever you’re gift giving, or share this post with your family members who live out of town—maybe they'll get the hint!

If you would like to reach any of the ArtSpace artists offering classes, here's a list.
If I have someone listed as "private," reach out and I'll put you in touch with them.

Our Christmas parade got cancelled because of the snowstorm, but there’s still a chance to get that concentrated sense of community spirit at the Sip and Stroll on December 14th.

Here are all the businesses mentioned, in alphabetical order.

5 Peaks Fitness
 (339) 223-08016 
94A Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

ACME Theater
(978) 823-0003
61 Summer St, Maynard, MA 01754Aim for Fitness, 

Amory’s Tomb
(978) 243-0875
76 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Anytime Fitness
(978) 938-4855
52 Nason St, Maynard, MA 01754

Art Signals
(978) 897-3411
16 Nason St, Maynard, MA 01754

Art’s Specialties
(978) 897-1500
43 Nason St, Maynard, MA 01754

ArtSpace Maynard classes
(978) 897-9828
63 Summer St, Maynard, MA 01754

Azúcar Tapas Restaurant
(978) 331-0381
51 Main Street
Maynard, Massachusetts 01754

Bailey’s Therapeutic Massage
(978) 897-0110
14 Nason St # 102, Maynard, MA 01754

Be the Love
(978) 637-2165
82 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Blush Hair Salon
(978) 897-4971
138 Parker St, Maynard, MA 01754

The Boston Bean
(978) 897-8907
102 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Butler Lumber
(978) 897-7271
67 Parker St, Maynard, MA 01754

Cafe of India
(978) 897-9227
155 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

China Ruby
 (978) 897-5945
42 Nason St, Maynard, MA 01754

Collector’s Paradise
(508) 485-9800
35 Nason St, Maynard, MA 01754

The Compulsive Baker
susan@compulsivebaker.com

The Concord School of Taekwon-do
(978) 369-1909
 2516, 100 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Cookie Lady Treats
(978) 298-5754
info@cookieladytreats.com

Crystal Nail and Spa
(978) 897-1969
39 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Designing Women
(978) 461-0101
129 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Dirty Paws
(617) 755-3625
64 Powder Mill Rd, Maynard, MA 01754

Dreamscape Collaborative
newdreamco@gmail.com

El Huipil Restaurant
(978) 298-5302
51 R Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Excelsior Comics
(508) 808-9124
8 Waltham St, Maynard, MA 01754

Fine Arts Theatre
(978) 298-5626
19 Summer St, Maynard, MA 01754

Flawless Hair & Spa
(978) 461-4848
37 Summer St, Maynard, MA 01754

The Flower Pot
(978) 897-5027
46 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Gigi’s Restaurant
(978) 793-8684
177 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Grady Sharpe (private)

Hair in Harmony
(978) 897-7500
86 Powder Mill Rd, Maynard, MA 01754

Hawes Florist
(978) 897-8081
 70 Powder Mill Rd, Maynard, MA 01754

Island Yarn Company
(978) 331-0009
 189 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Kind Goods
kindgoodsmarket@gmail.com
85 Main Street, Maynard, MA 01754

LOOK Optical
(978) 461-3937
56 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

The Paper Store
(978) 897-7221
36 Nason St, Maynard, MA 01754

Explore Pathways to Wellness 
(978) 897-6066
13 Nason St, Maynard, MA 01754

Little Pusan
(978) 897-5107
83 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Maker’s Workshop
(978) 274-2508
55 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Main Street Liquors
(978) 637-2607
48 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Mark Valentine Catering
781-229-2774
markscooking@verizon.net

Massage Visits
(978) 298-5025
95 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

the Maynard Post Office
(800) 275-8777
143 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

The Maynard Public Library
(978) 897-1010
77 Nason St, Maynard, MA 01754

Maynard Supply
(978) 897-9901
145 Powder Mill Rd, Maynard, MA 01754

Max’s Barber Shop
(978) 793-9738
35 Summer St, Maynard, MA 01754

Metrowest Kung Fu
(978) 823-0201
69 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Middlesex Bank
 (978) 897-3232
17 Nason St, Maynard, MA 01754

Miss Tricia's Dance Studio
(978) 897-5700
47 Nason St, Maynard, MA 01754

Oliver's Wands and Wizarding Wares
(866) 411-2525
60 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

The Outdoor Store
(978) 897-2133
24 Nason St, Maynard, MA 01754

Parker Hardware
(978) 897-3291
239 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Raspberry Beret 
(978) 897-8300
8 Nason St, Maynard, MA 01754

Ray & Sons Cycle & Ski
(978) 897-8121
183 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Revelations by Robin
(978) 897-4309
37 Nason St, Maynard, MA 01754

Richard Goddard Goldsmith
(978) 897-2848
149 Main St A, Maynard, MA 01754

Seidy's Garden
(702) 771-8123
100 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Scrub-a-Dog
(978) 298-5550
41 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Serendipity Cafe
(978) 897-1516
1 Nason St, Maynard, MA 01754

Siam Village
(978) 897-0211
98 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Smack Noodle
(978) 252-4665
45 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Spencer Brook Strings
(978) 897-6382
15 Nason St, Maynard, MA 01754

Sugar Snap
53A Main St, Maynard, MA 01754
(978) 897-2330

Tech Town Computer Center
(978) 344-7006
39 Main St Suite A, Maynard, MA 01754

Terry’s Barber Shop
(978) 793-3587
43 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754
53A Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Thai Chili
(978) 897-2984
40 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Toast 'n Shine Tan and Spa
(978) 897-8011
191 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Trunature Salt Therapy
(978) 897-1596
79 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Underdog Comics 
Maynard, MA 01754

Video Signals
(978) 897-3411
16-20 Nason St, Maynard, MA 01754

Vintage Lawn Care
(978) 460-3213
17 Amory Ave, Maynard, MA 01754

VV’s Hair Studio 
 (978) 637-2655
55B Main St, Maynard, MA 01754

Wags to Whiskers
(978) 897-0171
187 Main St, Maynard, MA 01754