Where to Shop and Eat in Bewitching Salem
Come Halloween, Wiccans and warlocks flood this North Shore town, where stores like Witch’s Hide, Magic Parlor, and the Broom Closet cater to the trick-or-treat set. Fortunately for the rest of us, the retail and dining scene here has evolved beyond the kitsch. Brimming with eateries, thrift shops, and boutiques, Salem has become a worthy shopping destination in any season.
Where to Shop
Photographs by Simon Simard
1. Urban Elements
Kim Tenenbaum and Tye Burrell’s décor emporium is full of surprises. Sure, they stock the requisite tufted sofas and reclaimed-wood tables, but the constantly changing selection of quirky, affordable home accents (embossed cheese markers, Archipelago candles, magnetic key holders) is the real draw—along with Burrell’s on-site massage studio, Sankofa, which offers post-shopping rubdowns.
83 Washington St., 978-666-4408, urbanelementshome.com.
2. Scrub
The latest addition to husband-and-wife team Jamie Metsch and Kate Leavy’s downtown retail family (they also own Roost and Beehive on Front Street), this cute year-and-a-half-old bath and body shop sells soaps, scrubs, and shampoos made in the United States—some right in our backyard, like Simply Be Well (Fall River), BC Essentials (Rowley), and Magic Moon (Salem). You’ll need a tub to enjoy your haul, of course, so it’s a good thing the store has a claw-foot beauty up for sale.
230 Essex St., 978-594-8391.
3. J. Mode
At this five-year-old boutique, Janet Barsanti and her twentysomething daughters, Courtney and Brooke, offer an impressive selection of cocktail dresses, jeans, and more from brands like Trina Turk, Joe’s, and Bailey 44.On our wish list: a one-of-a-kind recycled-newspaper Couture Planet bag and a graphic-print pullover from Margaret O’Leary.
17 Front St., 978-744-7007, jmodefashions.com.
4. Pamplemousse
Though this gourmet store’s name is French for grapefruit, you won’t find any citrus for sale here. You will, however, find gadgets galore, local meads, and British candies like Aero bars and Maltesers. Bonus: All the loose 12-ounce beers are $1.99 each, and customers are encouraged to make mixed six-packs.
185 Essex St., 978-745-2900, pmousse.com.
Where to Eat
3Potato4 serves up cones of organic baked “fries” with tasty toppings such as curry ketchup and Thai chili sauce.
Museum Place Mall, 978-744-0948, 3p4shop.com.
Photograph by Anthony Tieuli
62 dishes up homemade agnolotti and pappardelle to well-heeled crowds on Pickering Wharf.
62 Wharf St., 978-744-0062, 62restaurant.com.
Photograph by Bob O’Connor
A?&?J King Artisan Bakers is a must for a morning cup of Portland’s Coffee by Design and a sticky bun.
48 Central St., 978-744-4881, ajkingbakery.com.
Parking: Metered street spots, lots, and garages abound in downtown Salem. For more information, go to parkinginsalem.com.
