Nantucket Town's commercial district contains nearly all of the island's shops. Attractive home furnishing stores, distinctive art galleries, and fashionable clothing boutiques all share space with the town's ubiquitous T-shirt shops. Most are seasonal, opening sometime after April and closing between Labor Day and November, though a few stay open year-round to accommodate visitors.
The most unique product is the Nantucket lightship basket, woven of oak or cane, with covers ornamented with scrimshaw or rosewood. During the 19th century, crew members on the lightships off the Sankaty Head wove the baskets to pass the time. Now used as purses, these baskets cost approximately $300.00 for new baskets to well over $3,000.00 for vintage ones. Another signature island product are the all-cotton pants called Nantucket Reds, which fade to pink with washing. They're sold at Murray's Toggery Shop. |
