Shopping Tips

Every Saturday from June to October you can buy the freshest Cape Cod-grown fruits and vegetables, cultivated mushrooms, local honey, herbs, and flowers--even freshly caught fish--at the Orleans Farmers' Market, 19 West Road. It opens at 8 AM and closes at noon.

If you want to get the most out of your antiquing adventure, two publications will be handy resources. Call for a copy of Cape Cod Antiques & Arts, a quarterly supplement of Cape Cod Community Newspapers, (508) 255-2121(see our Media chapter). The Cape Cod Antique Dealers Association, Inc. issues a handy directory listing dozens of shops. For a free copy, ask an antique dealer or send a business-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope to Liz Broadrick,
88 Corporation Road, Dennis, MA 02638.

In Massachusetts you can generally buy clothing without incurring a sales tax. A 5 percent tax is added to purchases above $175.

The Massachusetts State Gem is rhodorite and it can be found on most area beaches if you look hard enough. When polished and made into jewelry, this pale red semiprecious stone is absolutely beautiful. Mindy Glynn at The Stone Connection in Harwich, (508) 432-0779, has been custom designing unique rhodorite jewelry for 15 years.

The origin of mermaids, half human, half fish, goes back to 5000 BC and the worship of sea gods and goddesses. Occasionally there are reports of sightings on Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket Sound. More reliably, mermaids can be seen, touched, and acquired as whimsical collectibles available in gift shops across Cape Cod and the islands. Theresa LaBrecque of Brewster, (508) 896-6257, handcrafts many of these. She will design custom variations at the your request. They make lovely Cape Cod keepsakes.

When attending an antique auction, keep in mind that in addition to the final bid price, a buyer's premium of 10 percent (this is often higher at off-Cape houses--generally 25 percent) is added, as well as 5 percent Massachusetts sales tax (unless you are having the item shipped out of state). Also remember that items are sold as is, so check carefully for nicks, chips, tears, rips, discoloration, and broken parts. That's what the preview time is for. And remember, bid with your head, not over it!

A great way to pick up antiques, art, and collectibles--and gain an education in the process--is at auction. If you're unfamiliar with the auction scene, attend one or two as a spectator before going to bid. Established more than 45 years ago, the Robert C. Eldred Company on Mass. Rt. 6A, Dennis, is the oldest auction house on the Cape. The company holds at least 12 sales throughout the year; call (508) 385-3116 for a free schedule. The Sandwich Auction House, (508) 888-1926, holds auctions every Saturday night at 6 PM from Labor Day to Memorial Day, and in summer every Wednesday at
6 PM. Founded in 1974, this is the oldest weekly consignment auction house on the Cape.

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