Shopping options along State Road, Martha’s Vineyard

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Radio Shack moved across the road to 426 State Road in Vineyard Haven. — Photo by Katryn Yerdon

State Road is widely viewed as a means to get from one part of the Island to another. Many forget all the shopping opportunities there are along the way, and that number keeps growing. Here is a brief introduction to a few of these stores.

If you think back to years past, Woodland Center had limited offerings and was becoming outdated. Now it’s the center of a busy neighborhood with a thriving garden center, several great food options, house wares, a dance studio, and even a workout option. Newest to this grouping is an Island favorite that has been resurrected from its original location in the Tisbury Marketplace. This beloved store is Heath Hen Quilt Shop, which has new ownership as well as a new location in the lower level of the Woodland Center. Now open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, you can find all your quality yarn, fabric, notions, and counted cross-stitched kits in one location. Reach them by phone at 508-693-6730 or online at heathhen.com.

Just across the street you will find another old building having received a brand-new facelift along with a new tenant/owner. Our long-loved Vineyard Electronics, our Island Radio Shack dealer, has moved from its old location next to Island Entertainment into its new digs at 426 State Road.

Owner Linda Sibley did not set out to move her location, but after rumors surged that she was going to buy a new building, she decided to do it. Her assistant manager Simon Bollin and his family moved the entire store in just one weekend.

According to Ms. Sibley, “Mr. Bollin is indispensable and is currently in charge of the all the construction on the building.”

Ms. Sibley is excited about “moving from a cramped space to having all this physical space, even though it is hard and complex to renovate. “We are still deciding what additional products we will carry, though we still have all of our same lines of electronic cables, accessories, knick-knacks and phone lines for AT&T and Sprint,” she said.

The newest and already most popular addition to the store’s line is the iPhone, and all its accessories. Soon to be added is the iPad. For any questions, you may reach them at 508-693-5600 or online at vineyardelectronics.com.

Near the beginning of State Road in Vineyard Haven, number 18 to be exact, you will find the Lorraine Parish Clothing Boutique. Ms. Parish has been designing on the Island since she fell in love with Martha’s Vineyard on a summer trip in 1979. Since then she has been designing her simple yet elegant clothing lines and in 2002 she added home furnishing fabric designs. While she has her store here as well as in Aspen, Boston, and Nantucket, she has now begun a new venture, a clothing website in which she introduces a virtual, alter ego Agatha, who takes a world tour in her clothing. To see her new venture, visit her at lorraineparishclothing.com and start your own world tour.

Skipping all the way up State Road to West Tisbury, we have another unique treasure, celebrating 13 years, though only four years in its current location directly across from up-Island Cronig’s. This colorful place is the Treehouse Studio, owned and operated by artist Ruth Adams.

Ms. Adams offers a collection of artwork and antiques. The artwork is done predominantly by local artists, with some antique art mixed in, while her antiques lean toward the unusual and useful, though keeping in the lighthearted realm. She is open Thursdays through Sundays, though often other days as well. Call ahead at 508-693-6645 or just pull into the drive and give a honk: Ms. Adams lives upstairs from the studio and is always happy to come down to open.

Another specialty service and product option is the newer Betsy’s Dog Spa, located just a little farther up State Road from up-Island Cronig’s (497 State Rd.) and on the same side. Though this outlet is more for your four-legged friends than or you, they are certainly there to make your life easier and Fido happier. In fact, you can head in and use their self-wash stations at bath time, so you don’t have to break your back at home bathing your pooch and cleaning up the mess after.

Along with regular grooming, they also offer doggie day care by the half-day ($11) or the full day ($20), and de-skunking along with flea and tick baths. Leashes, toys, and treats are also available. They are open Tuesday through Saturdays and you may call ahead at 508-955-0540 or visit them at betsysdogspa.com. Keep in mind they do emergency de-skunking on the off hours so don’t hesitate to call.

So next time you have some free time and shopping to do, don’t forget all that State Road has to offer.