|
Great
Barrington |
- Town & Country
magazine summer of 2002 painted
the Berkshires as fertile hunting ground for "antiquers."
The region hosts hundreds of antique shops. You will find 56
of them listed in a handy color brochure published by the Berkshire
Antiques and Art Dealers Association (we give reference numbers
below).
- Start a mile or so
north of town on Route 7 (at the
base of Monument Mountain frequented by Nathaniel Hawthorne and
Herman Melville), at a former farm complex called Jenifer House
(on the right if you're heading north). Here you will find:
|
|
Coffman's Antiques Markets (#41)
Over 200 dealer booths housed in two buildings (yellow and red)
offer a diverse collection, primarily country but certainly not
limited to such. Plan on a good hour even if you're a fast walker.
The quality is above-average and everything is well displayed
on multiple floors in a rustic barn. |
|
Berkshire Art Gallery (#40)
Also at Jenifer House, the gallery features
"museum reputation artists," as well as contemporary
and Berkshires artists. This is investment art, much of it fine
19th C. |
- If you're ready for
refreshment, we suggest Uncommon
Ground, a coffeehouse--fresh juice bar. Take a left out of Jenifer House, it's immediately on your right. If weather permits, walk
outside and around back to the picnic tables and you will see
the Berkshires' beloved Housatonic River. Look to the north to
spot Monument Mountain. Even if you cannot linger this is one
of the prettiest town roadside views.
- Continuing south on
Route 7, just after the second
traffic light, is:
|
|
Elise Abrams Antiques (#37)
Devoted to fine dining. We are talking
elaborate diningroom settings here -- the finest porcelain, silver,
glass. Mrs. Abrams exhibits also in Palm Beach and New York City. |
- Think you have had
it with dinner services for 12?
Our next destination has even more diningroom-related antiques.
Bear right onto Route 7, go over a bridge and through one light,
and on your right just after the second light is a yellow house.
|
|
Country Dining Room (#36)
"Tablescapes," owner Sheila Chefetz (author of two
books on the subject) calls them--two floors of exquisite plates,
goblets, linens, most artfully displayed. |
- Just before the next
traffic light at Bridge Street on your left is a Main Street
shopfront housing a mini-antiques center. We suggest making a
left onto Bridge to locate the public parking lot one block down
on your left at the school -- parking is tight in this town,
especially on weekends. We direct you to this center, called
The Emporium.
|
|
The Emporium (#34, 35)
Steve Kahn showcases the finest vintage jewelery. He has over
30 years in the trade, an astute eye, and is reputable. He has
some delectable items, very romantic, diamonds and pearls good
for the soul to lust after. Emporium owner Art Greenstone features
glass, both American and European, while co-owner Mel Katz favors
silver. |
Next... |