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The concierge
a shopping tour of cool cape may Here’s the proof that hitting the stores can still produce a stress-free, fun-filled day
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pending a day shopping in Cape May is not like going to the mall. Not even close. There are no chain stores, no massive electronics outlets, no jostling, impatient crowds. Aren’t you glad?! No, in Cape May shopping is all about the element of surprise. Yes, there are the ubiquitous T-shirt shops and souvenir stores selling plastic trinkets, BUT... there are also some excellent, quirky stores selling products that inspire and delight, which is what a shopping experience SHOULD be all about. By all means begin on the outdoor mall, which benefited from a major facelift four years ago. Brick pavers were installed and trees were removed, allowing for a better view of the charmingly random, brightlypainted Victorian buildings.
Next to the famous mall clock is a local landmark, the Whale’s Tale, which has been in business for four decades. You’ll love the exotic selection of shells from all over the world, the wonderful array of jewelry, the area’s best selection of greeting cards and children’s books and toys. Take your time looking... and don’t forget to check out their sister store, Splash, which on Carpenter’s Lane, a quiet back street that also includes a lovely old rustic wooden cottage which is the home of Caroline Boutique, a byword for designer clothing in Cape May. A short walk from there, on Jackson Street, is Happy Baby, a wonderful store that’s packed with certified organic baby clothes along with a first-class selection of accessories and toys. Although it’s in the borough of West
Cape May, Flying Fish Studio is little more than a five-minute walk from downtown. They design all of their clothes here on the island, offering a kaleidoscopic range of fun clothes and accessories. Just down the street from them is Seaside Cheese, where locals and visitors can get their cheese fix. The quality and selection is first-class. Also in West Cape May is the Exit Zero Store and Gallery. The publishers of Cape May’s peppy weekly magazine sell a range of cool souvenirs, books and an unparalleled selection of gorgeous vintage Cape May photographs from their Sunset Boulevard HQ. Will you get everything you need on your shopping tour of Cape May? Probably not, but you WILL likely stumble across some delights you never even knew you wanted!