Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
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NORTHSHOREMAG.COM 28 MAY 2019 occasions, say locals. In January, the Village Restaurant threw a dinner in honor of the town's first responders as thanks for their service when the eatery's new owner was in a serious car accident last fall. Fundraising events are always well attended, and residents help each other out regularly, says Robert Coviello, owner of Main Street Antiques. "It really has that small-town character," he says. "Everyplace, someone is doing something for someone else." e Essex of today is very much informed by the town's history. e river that runs from town into Essex Bay was, from the earliest days, home to an extensive shipbuilding indus- try. ough the industry faded out in the early 20th century, today the Essex Shipbuilding Museum offers visitors perspective on the role shipbuilding played in shaping Essex into the town it is today. e town's center, along with most of its businesses and restaurants, is still located on the river. Outside of the center, largely residen- tial roads meander through farm fields and woods. Along Route 133 sits a string of more than 20 antiques shops that have earned the town a reputation as a go-to destination for antiques shoppers. Some shops cultivate a polished, urbane atmosphere that caters to discerning collectors; others with a more casual vibe offer the chance to poke through volumes of furniture, art, tools, and decor to unearth a hidden treasure. e small town is also home to a dozen restaurants with settings ranging from classic to casual to elegant to eclectic (though just about every menu is heavy on the seafood). e fried clams at Woodman's and J.T. Farnham's each have their die-hard fans, but diners will also discover unexpected culinary delights on the menus at other locations: lobster biscuits and gravy at Ripple on the Water, grilled sirloin at the Village, and a weekly ramen special at C.K. Pearl. And even with so many shops and eateries packed into such a small space, the town's business owners act more like cheerleaders than rivals, Roy says. Both Roy and Coviello are part of the Essex Merchants Group, a coalition of local businesses that have banded together to promote the town for everyone's benefit. e thriving art scene is another surprise to some visitors. roughout the summer, it is difficult to drive through town without spotting painters sitting at easels on the side of the road capturing views of the river and marsh. At an event called ArtTalk, scheduled for May 4, 10 local artists—a glassblower, a sculptor, a poet, and some mixed-media artists—will discuss their art and their influences, including the inspiration they draw from their community and surroundings. "We're kind of tucked away here in Essex," says event organizer Lynne Havighurst, a local graphic designer and resident of 26 years. "We're a small town, but there's a lot of really interesting art happening." Visitors who want to stay the night to take full advantage of what Essex has to offer can choose between a fully renovated motel and a country-style bed-and-breakfast. But if you want accommodations in town, Roy warns, plan ahead: Eager visitors can quickly fill up the available rooms. "Once you come," Roy says, "you'll want to come back." FAC E S + P L AC E S PHOTOGRAPHS BY SHUTTERSTOCK The Essex Shipbuilding Museum; above, a view of the town from the Essex River.