The 9 Retro Road Trip Wonders of Massachusetts
by Eric Hurwitz. Article created March 23, 2017. All photos by Eric
unless otherwise noted.
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Driving through Massachusetts and finding old-fashioned
department and
clothing stores, five and dimes, diners, drive-ins and country stores
suggests that maybe places like these got it right
the first time -- that is, the vintage retro mom and pop businesses
almost always have more authenticity than the big box businesses and
chains.
Visiting these small businesses brings about a wonderful feeling, and
the owners generally make the experiences even that much better by
genuinely connecting with the customer. Check out the old-fashioned
Massachusetts destinations below to warm your heart, knowing businesses
that have a timeless element can often bring us
back to a time and place that we loved -- or could learn to appreciate,
if from a younger generation.
1. Casey's Diner, Natick
First established in 1890 in a four-stool, horse drawn wagon serving
hot dogs, Casey's Diner transformed in 1922 as a Worcester Lunch Car
Company
diner and has been located in Natick since 1927. Some say Casey's is
the oldest continuously running diner in the United States! It is, to
no surprise, also
listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Casey's might just
be one of
the smallest diners in Massachusetts with barely enough room to walk
around, given the tiny
structure and crowds. Find a stool at the counter under the
double-barreled ceiling and go with the hot dogs that “snap” when first
bitten, a delicious cinnamon swirl French toast, double burger for just
$6 (at this writing), or a mouthwatering custard pie. Casey's Diner is
located at 356 South St., Natick.
Cheeseburger from Casey's Diner.
2. Wilson's Department Store,
Greenfield (CLOSED) 
Wilson’s Department Store stands as one of the last
independent, family-owned
department stores in the United States. The owners live in Greenfield
and carry tremendous pride of ownership that respects and honors its
134 years in business at this classic Main Street USA location. The
three floors — over 45,000 square feet — offer just about
everything you need. I get goosebumps visiting here with the
unmistakable but still unidentifiable, delightful old department store
aroma, the ancient wooden staircases and old-time elevator giving
access to the top floors, the housewares section with its creaky floors
and low ceiling, and employees that have that special warmth and
hospitality that we sadly see more of in old black and white Hollywood
movies than in our current, fast-paced, often impersonal society. Walk
into Wilson’s, and it’s like going back in time and being sheltered
from the harsh elements of the 21st century. I would travel 90 miles to
shop here for Christmas – or any other time of the year, for that
matter — than drive three miles to shop at some generic big box store.
They have virtually everything for women, men and children: women’s
accessories, women’s sportswear, women’s coats, dresses, intimate
apparel, juniors, alternative sportswear for women, men’s clothing
(including young men and kids) formal wear, shoes, cosmetics, jewelry,
luggage, domestics, gifts, clocks, lampshades, housewares, toys,
stationery and a great candy counter. This isn’t cheaply made
merchandise, either; Wilson’s sells many name brands that sometimes
can’t even be found at big box chains. They always have tremendous
deals going on. Wilson’s
Department Store is located at 258 Main St., Greenfield MA. Tel.
(413) 774-4326. Web site: http://wilsonsdepartmentstore.com/.
3. Welfleet Drive-in, Welfleet
Photo source: Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism Flickr page at
https://www.flickr.com/photos/masstravel/15364385547/sizes/l
As the only remaining drive-in on Cape Cod and one of only a handful
left in New England, the Welfleet Drive-in offers first-run double
features every night in the summer. The Welfleet Drive-In dates back to
1957, but don't let the old-time origins trick
you into thinking this is just another old-time drive-in hanging on to
dear life. Quite the contrary with its 100
x 44′screen, FM stereo sound system equipped with Dolby Digital
sound, Barco Digital Projection, as well as a playground and
snack bar, too. The Welfleet Drive-in open from late May through mid
September,
and is located at 51 State Highway, Route 6 in Welfleet. Tel. (508)
349-7176.
Web site:
http://www.wellfleetcinemas.com/drive-in-theatre
4. Balich 5&10, Arlington
Balich 5 &10 in Arlington.
Growing up in Arlington as a kid in the
70s, I remember Balich 5&10 very well, but thought even back then
that it would become a thing of the past because of the growing number
of chain stores in the area taking away so much business from the mom
and pop stores. I was wrong, thank goodness! Balich 5&10, dating
back to 1954, still thrives with the same business owner and a retail
layout virtually unchanged from back in the day. One of the last
five and dime stores in Massachusetts, the Balich 5&10 -- like all
great stores of this kind -- is able to jam pack so much merchandise
into a relatively small storefront. They still have the deft ability to
sell things that we actually need, too, including "crafts,
souvenirs, health aids, gifts, stationery, party goods, candy, greeting
cards, housewares, notions, toys, glassware, hosiery, yarn, and much
more," as stated on its Facebook page. Balich 5&10 is located at
1314 Massachusetts Ave. in Arlington. Tel. (781) 648-3707. Web
site: www.facebook.com/Balich-5-10-105880669452367/
5. Furlong's Candies, Norwood
Furlong's Candies has a sweet business success story:
this multi-generation family-run candy house dates back to 1937 and
remains incredibly popular by simply not having changed much at
all. Stepping into the old-fashioned candy house takes you away
instantly from fast-paced, commuter-crazy Route 1. It's like being
sheltered from a harsh world with all the homemade chocolates, fudge,
mints, candies, nuts, ice cream and gifts -- as well as polite,
friendly, knowledgable service, the kitchsy 1970s-style wallpaper, and
that wonderful sweet aroma every step of the way -- to make the
experience so pleasant. Many businesses have come and gone on Route 1
in Norwood through the years and it is a testament to Furlong's that
they have remained a thriving business, to this very day.
Furlong's Candies is located at 1355 Providence Highway, Norwood.
Tel. 781-762-4124. Web site: http://www.furlongscandies.com/
Homemade chocolates from Furlong's Candies in Norwood.
6. Maynard Outdoor Store, Maynard
Maynard Outdoor Store photo credit: Maynard Outdoor Store Facebook page
at https://www.facebook.com/maynardoutdoorstore/.
There's something heartwarming about a locally-owned store
surviving in a world of shopping malls, outlet stores and one-stop
shopping superstores. Such is the case with the Maynard Outdoor Store
in Maynard, which has been around since 1950. The Maynard Outdoor Store
might be the last of a dying breed of locally-run independent clothing
stores, but ultimately it's full of
life. An exemplary model of how local business should be run, the
emphasis is on sales and service. You know the minute you walk in
the store that you'll be treated well by staff employed here
many years, as well as the newer employees. There are no bad attitudes,
trendy,
vacuous employees and most importantly, no shoddy merchandise. Faithful
clientèle from Maynard and surrounding towns come to the
second generation-owned old-fashioned
place to buy clothing, shoes, sneakers, jackets for all seasons, hiking
boots, baseball gloves, winter gear and the like. The red and white
tile floors and original tin ceilings add to the
charm. In the back, there is a stretch of red patterned linoleum that
every kitchen seemed to have in the 1970s. It's an interesting
juxtaposition to the modern world of Nike, New Balance and Timberland
shoes. Densely populated rows of clothing on racks and in shelves offer
great
selections and discounts. There's a wall of jeans that stretches
virtually the entire length of the store, and outside there is a
markdown rack right next to a hockey net. In the front window are
displays, exactly the way business presented itself in this charming
building in the early 1900s. Everywhere you look, it's just a beautiful
retail place to be -- the way they used to make 'em. The Maynard
Outdoor Store is located at 24 Nason St., Maynard. Tel (978) 897-2133.
Web Site: http://www.maynardoutdoor.net/.
7. Grafton Country Store, Grafton
Looking like something out of a small Vermont town, the Grafton Country
Store is located only 10 minutes from Worcester -- the second
most populated city in New England. Owned by Grafton natives Craig and
Carol Dauphinais -- who live right up the street -- the Grafton Country
Store offers a wonderful trip back in time with its old-time country
store feel and its location in the heart of the Grafton Common Historic
District (check out the beautiful town green on the cover and in my
book entitled Massachusetts
Town Greens). The Grafton Country Store offers a
nice selection of home decor, accessory and gift items made in
the USA, and has a delightful added bonus: a quaint, relaxing sunny
cafe overlooking
the historic Grafton town common and offering ice cream, scones,
muffins, cakes, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and smoothies. The Grafton
Country Store is located at 2 Grafton Common in Grafton. Tel. (508)
839-4898. Web site: http://www.graftoncountrystore.net.
8. Star
Drive-In, Taunton
The Star Drive-in fulfills critical elements
needed for a great,
informal retro dining spot: an authentic nostalgic-looking exterior and
interior, and an extensive selection of comfort foods, as well as
milkshakes and ice cream. Offering fast food made with love rather than
heartless corporate standardization, the Star Drive-In does a great job
with traditional favorites like burgers, hot dogs, fish and chips, clam
strips, clam and lobster cakes (pictured left), and New England clam
chowder. What's more, the
people working
here are so nice, helping make the overall, drive-in like dining
experience feel like something out of Happy
Days. With a new owner,
an absence of the former frozen food served here, a local seafood
supplier, and a revitalization to its innately good, old-fashioned
looks, it appears that the Star Drive-In has an eye on the future while
wonderfully holding on to its dear past that dates back to 1964. The
Star Drive-In is located at 205 Myricks St. East Taunton. Tel. (508)
822-7827. Facebook fan page:
https://www.facebook.com/205MyricksETaunton/
9. P.N. Laggis (CLOSED) Clothing Store, Ayer
There was a time when virtually every well-defined town and city
central district had a locally-owned and operated clothing store, but
today it is a rarity. P.N. Laggis is one of those heartwarming
exceptions, first opening in 1916 and not only carrying a great variety
of men's casual and dress clothing but also a tremendous sense of pride
and community in this pleasant north central Massachusetts town. Because it is a smaller clothing store, the focus is on
tremendous customer service, which,
as we know, can be a fleeting quality in our fast-paced society. How
refreshing to find a retro treasure like this in the form of a clothing
store! P.N. Laggis is located at 67 Main St. in Ayer. Tel. (978) 772-2619.
Can't get enough of old-fashioned New England travel? Be sure to read The Best Diners
in New England ebook, which can be read on your smartphone, tablet
and computer!
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