“Industrial Espionage” in Martha’s Vineyard

Before I left for Martha’s Vineyard, Joan told me I needed to check out a home furnishing store here called Midnight Farm. Many of our customers had told her about the shop; saying it’s very similar to Hammertown.  It’s right in the middle of Vineyard Haven (where the theatre is) so I was able to take on the mission before rehearsal the other day.

First, a little background – Midnight Farm is owned by the wonderful Carly Simon.  I don’t know about you, but her “You’re So Vain” album was part of the soundtrack of my teenage years so I was excited about visiting the store.

Here’s how Midnight Farm’s website describes their store:

It’s over the harbor, its’ off the Main Street, it’s a one of a kind and not quite a boutique.  The clothes and candles, those books and CD’s, nothing familiar, an odd and an end, a rug and a clock and a bedspread from India, Morroco or France.  Nothing stays the same you don’t know what you’ll find.”

It does sound very Hammertown and as I went through the store I found a lot of familiar merchandise.  Cisco and Mitchell Gold furniture; some of the very same boiled wool throws we carry (priced almost $100 more by the way) as well as candles and soaps.  The shop carries a lot of clothes and shoes as well.  In general, it had a more unorganized and Bohemian feel to it but it was easy to see how it reminded our customers of Hammertown.  (My savvy-shopper roommate, Janet, says she likes Hammertown better!)  It also made me realize how “with it” Joan is in buying merchandise for her stores.

The next shop I strolled into was on Main Street, called Le Roux…mostly kitchen stuff and dinnerware.  Once again, I saw familiar things.  Le Creuset, Oxo kitchen utensils, Bobble water bottles and Soda Stream.  They actually had this cool display for artisinal flavored olive oils.  Four large urns with spigets and little paper tasting cups.  The blood-orange and whole fruit lemon oils were my 2 favorites.  Either would have been great on a salad or for cooking chicken or fish.  The staff was friendly and very helpful.  Like Hammertown, Le Roux has 3 stores in New England: the one here in Martha’s Vineyard; Portsmouth, NH; and Portland, ME.

As I walked through all the upscale “destination” shops in Vineyard Haven, Joan’s curating expertise became more and more apparent to me.  It really is amazing to think of what she created in little Pine Plains twenty-five years ago.  Truly visionary!

[Check out more photos below.  Click to enlarge and read descriptions.]