1. The Dead Zone
City: South Yarmouth, MA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (508) 760-5823
Address: 845 Route 28 (Boch Village)
Description: Since 1990, the Dead Zone has been paying homage to the legion of Deadheads—devout followers of the band the Grateful Dead. Inside you’ll find reminders of the ’60s and ’70s: tie-dyed clothes in wild colors, irreverent bumper stickers, incense, and love beads. Jerry Garcia may be gone, but his spirit lives on—accompanied by the spirit of Bob Marley, as evidenced in the wide selection of reggae merchandise. The shop is open “almost every day” in and out of season.
2. The Silver Unicorn
City: South Yarmouth, MA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (508) 394-8401
Address: 941 Rte. 28
Description: The Silver Unicorn has an extensive line of nautical jewelry—bracelets, charms, rings, and earrings in gold and sterling silver—with a Cape Cod theme (maps, lobster traps, and whale tails). The shop also sells nautical glass sculpture, Spencer Collins lighthouse replicas, and other maritime mementos. It’s open daily.
3. Wild Birds Unlimited
City: South Yarmouth, MA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (508) 760-1996
Address: 1198 Rte. 28
Description: Bird lovers flock here for bird feeders (priced from $3 to $300) and plenty of seed and suet. The bird-themed paraphernalia goes on and on: hand-carved birds, jewelry, music boxes, clothing, songbird tapes, videos, books, and all kinds of educational materials. Wild Birds Unlimited has standing and hanging baths in wood, iron, concrete, ceramic, and plastic that can be hung from trees, mounted on a deck, or placed in your gardens. The store is open seven days a week.
4. Yankee Crafters Scandinavian Imports Inc.
City: South Yarmouth, MA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (508) 394-0575
Address: 48 North Main St.
Description: Thousands of pieces of handcrafted wampum (cylindrical beads made from shells, once used by Native Americans as ornaments and currency) jewelry—rings, pins, earrings, and bolas—are offered at very reasonable prices. Also among the collections are Scandinavian jewelry, linens, calendars, crystal, and Norwegian trolls. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Yankee Crafters is open daily.
5. Cape Cod Salt Water Taffy
City: South Yarmouth, MA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (508) 394-7557
Address: 984 Route 28
Description: A trip to the beach isn’t complete without buying a box of saltwater taffy. Shaded by a red-and-white-striped awning, this quaint roadside stand displays a colorful selection of 30 varieties of saltwater taffy that’s been cooked, stretched, and wrapped right on site. Bring the kids and watch the candy-makers at work. Open seasonally Apr through Oct.