VisitingNewEngland/Winsmith Mill Market Small Business Partnership - Local Small Business Stories
Winsmith Mill Market, Norwood, Massachusetts: the Emerald City for
Antiques and Shabby Chic Shoppers
Winsmith Mill
Market in
Norwood, Massachusetts.
Article
and photos by
Eric Hurwitz, unless otherwise noted. Page
updated on 2/24/2019.
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Just as I thought antique shopping in New England was getting old,
along comes Winsmith Mill Market at the Norwood Commerce Center in Norwood, Mass.
Tucked away in a former mill building off Route 1A, the sight of the
18th century Winsmith Mill Market
in four imposing former tannery buildings (bomber jackets were made
here during World War II)
seems nearly improbable given its hidden jewel status and astonishing
selection of merchandise. Antique and shabby chic shoppers who thought
they had seen it
all most likely immediately say on first impression, "How could I have not known
about this place?"
Entering shabby chic and antique shopping heaven at Winsmith Mill Market.
Open weekly Friday through Sunday, the Winsmith Mill Market is one of
those places where one never knows where to start first. With seven
vintage shops and more than 100 vendors -- often with connected shops
through the virtual
maze -- the Winsmith Mill Market comes across as a close-knit community with
businesses that
bridge the look of an antique store, vintage shop, country
store and bargain discount center. It's all hard
to fully describe, but the Winsmith folks like
to refer to the complex as an "Antique to Shabby Chic, to Victorian
Boho
Artisan Market." The old mill appearance provides
the
perfect setting for shopping and getting a good walk in during the
process.
One of the many entrances to the Winsmith Mill Market.
For starters, the vendors at Winsmith Mill Market
collectively sell
furniture, clothing, jewelry, collectibles, paintings, arts and crafts,
books, records, old radios and cameras, kitchenware, home furnishings
and appliances -- just about everything under the sun, or, as the other
cliche goes, "everything but the kitchen sink." I know many people who
have made their homes look
better by purchasing useful, meaningful and high quality merchandise at
the Mill -- and, with other goods, finding exactly what they were
looking for at the
27-acre complex. Although a hidden jewel shopping and travel destination, up to 2,000 people visit the
Winsmith Mill Market on any given weekend.
The Vintage Shops at the Winsmith Mill Market
The vintage shops share some things in common with each
other, but, at the same time, have their own wonderful personalities
and unique items for sale. It's best to shop
them all for an optimal shopping experience at Winsmith.
Salvage
ANGEL
This fascinating and welcoming store sells
original and salvaged art, antiques, collectibles and gifts. Owner
Susan
is a true talent with her wonderful angel art work!
Salvage Angel at the Winsmith Mill Market.
White
Dog Vintage
Looking like something out of a magazine, White Dog Vintage feature
vintage merchandise for the home and garden.
White Dog Vintage at the Winsmith Mill Market.
Hollie's
Place
With far more character than a chain furniture store, Hollies' Place
specializes in amazing repurposed furniture and merchandise to help
redecorate your home...
Hollie's Place at the Winsmith Mill Market.
Chanel's
Shabby Rose
In the best sense, It's hard to know where to start at this fabulous
cornerstone business at the Winsmith Mill Market. Chanel's Shabby Rose
features 3,000 sq ft. of shabby, upcycle furniture, French Country,
cottage chic and vintage wedding dresses and clothes...
Chanel's Shabby Rose at the Winsmith Mill Market.
ReMARKable Cleanouts
ReMARKable Cleanouts obtains merchandise from whole houses, attics,
cellars and garages to offer "endless stuff" for the home, office or
dorm!
ReMARKable Cleanouts at the Winsmith Mill Market.
The Vintage Peacock 23
This beautifully laid out shop sells a well-chosen variety of antiques,
furniture and repurposed items.
The Vintage Peacock at the Winsmith Mill Market in Norwood, Mass.
Photo source: The Vintage Peacock Facebook fan page.
Ramblin
Rose Cottage
The instantly likable Ramblin Rose Vintage Home & Garden features
a cozy indoor setting and pleasant outdoor area to shop for vintage,
Victorian, Western and home and garden items.
Ramblin Rose Vintage Home and Garden shop at the Winsmith Mill
Market.
Outside shopping at the Ramblin Rose Cottage.
The shopping also extends beyond the seven major vintage shops
with vendors offering thousands of additional items ranging from old
records and video games to even more nice touches for the home -- and
everything else in between that you'd expect at an antiques and shabby
chic destination.
Old-time record albums found in the basement of the Winsmith Mill
Market.
Colorful merchandise from the Wandering Mystic.
What? An Art Studio at the Winsmith Mill Market?
Norwood Fine Artists' Gallery & Studio.
Proving that you can check in any time you want but can never
leave the Winsmith Mill Market, the third floor features yet another fascinating facet with the Norwood Fine
Artists' Gallery & Studio. Here, local artists offer their original
fine art and prints, as well as art-related gift items for sale. The
Gallery and Studio features anchor artists, rotating guest exhibits, and
demos and instruction, according to the Norwood
Art Association web site. One would never expect such a beautiful
space to exist in a remote part of a former tannery complex, but thank
goodness it does!
Food and Entertainment at the Winsmith Mill Market
The Old Mill Grille Food Truck at Winsmith Mill Market.
All that shopping at Winsmith can lead to building an
appetite. The
Winsmith Mill Market definitely won't leave you going hungry. The Old
Mill Grille -- otherwise known as OMG -- has a food truck at the
complex with home style comfort foods that more than satisfy the
appetite. The steak and cheese sub, grilled
cheese and mac and cheese are to die for.
Steak and cheese sandwich from OMG.
The Mediterranean Chopped Salad is
also delicious with its mix of roasted red pepper hummus with
cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, feta and Kalamata olives dressed with Sittee's
Middle Eastern Salad Dressing -- a wonderful culinary concoction created
by OMG owner Erin Kimmett and parishioners of St. George Orthodox
Church
in Norwood (Erin's husband, Father Joseph, is the pastor of the church).
Mediterranean salad from OMG.
OMG also features a "Pastry of the Day" usually centering around
cinnamon rolls, muffins, scones and cookies. This mouthwatering
blueberry pecan bread could also be placed in the "to die for"
category...
Blueberry pecan bread from OMG.
The Old Mill Grille also features a nice outside dining area
overlooking a pond -- a very pleasant experience on a good New England
weather day...
Dining area by the OMG Food Truck.
Walking around the corner towards the back of the Winsmith complex
reveals another fascinating attraction: an entertainment spot called
the Fallout Shelter, home of the Extended Play Sessions . At first, it looks kind of sketchy -- kind of like going
into a late 1920s speakeasy where people are doing things that they
shouldn't be doing...
The Fallout Shelter at Winsmith Mill Market. Photo source:
Extended Play Sessions Facebook page.
Clandestine-like entrance Fallout Shelter at Winsmith Mill Market. Photo source:
Extended Play Sessions Facebook page.
Upon entering, however, the Fallout Shelter looks like a respectable,
go-to entertainment destination you'd typically find in Boston --
albeit with a 1940s nightclub theme. It's different from a Boston
nightclub, though, as plenty of free parking is available and $25 per
person will get you wonderful live entertainment, a light meal and a
souvenir concert poster. There's also a cash wine and beer bar.
The Fallout Shelter venue at Winsmith Mill Market.
Photo source: Extended Play Sessions Facebook page.
Shows start at 7 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. Top flight solo
singers and bands have played here including The Bottle Rockets, The
Swinging Steaks, Paul Kelly and Malcolm Holcombe. Log onto the Extended
Play Sessions web site for more information including concert dates.
A One-of-Kind Antiques and Shabby Chic Shopping and Travel
Experience
Old Dodge car at the entrance of the Winsmtih Mill Market.
For those who love antiques, shabby chic and "everything but
the
kitchen sink" offerings, be sure to not pass
by on this
unusual, unlikely yet wonderful ancient shopping mall complex. It's definitely a New England bucket list shopping destination that should be visited. Oh yes,
by the way, they do even sell the kitchen sink!
The kitchen sink is also for sale at the Winsmith Mill Market.
Winsmith Mill Market not
only sells treasures, but is a treasure in
itself. It's pure fun navigating the shops. The vendors are generally
friendly and helpful, and the chances of coming out with something you
truly need, or might not, are very high. An added bonus: The Winsmith Mill
Market
is located only 15 miles southwest of Boston, making it very convenient
for city residents with an affinity for antiques and shabby chic
shopping shop close
to home.
If you love shopping in famous antiques and shabby chic destinations
like Putnam, Conn.,
Stamford, Conn., Wells, Maine, Essex, Mass.
and North Kingstown, R.I., as well as the Brimfield Fair, then you will be fascinated by the Winsmith Mill
Market. I was certainly taken by surprise, but
from this point on
will place this unlikely gem on the best places to shop for antiques
and shabby chic in
New England.
Definitely plan on spending at least a few hours
here. While some of the
merchandise is high end, most people find incredible bargains here,
Winsmith is largely a budget-friendly place with many great deals for
the budget-minded.
What a
fabulous place to find great merchandise for the home, office, and
wardrobe!
Winsmith Mill Market is located at 61
Endicott St. in Norwood, MA. Tel. (781) 762-3250. Web site: http://www.winsmithmill.com.
Facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/WINSMITHMILLMARKET/.
If interested in opening a business at the Winsmith Mill Market, please
contact Sheryl Elliott at 781-762-3250, or email her at SElliott@norwoodcommerce.com.
At this writing, the Norwood Commerce Center -- home of the Winsmith
Mill Market -- has larger business/commercial space available at the 14
buildings on 27 acres.
Flag design on one of Winsmith buildings.
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Interested in your local business
becoming part of our New England community?
VisitingNewEngland business partnerships started on Jan. 30, 2017, and
differ than feature articles previously posted on VisitingNewEngland.
Businesses pay a small, one-time fee to have pages like this appear,
and first must be accepted by VisitingNewEngland.com editor and
publisher, Eric Hurwitz, as a business he approves as part of "real New
England travel" to keep the integrity of the site. Businesses that sign
up for business partnerships receive priority by receiving more social
media exposure and link placement on VisitingNewEngland.com. Contact me
if interested in forming a business partnership.
Good New England reading...
Massachusetts
Town Greens -- Discover New England's first travel attractions:
town commons (includes a chapter on Norwood)!
The
Best Diners in New England --
If you love
classic diners, New England has them! Read about the 50 best in this region!
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