Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/491440
38 | MAY + JUNE 2015 nshoremag.com ers rides from the parking lot right onto the sand. Ipswich might be most distinc- tive for its historic and beautiful architecture, but the people who live there also appreciate its kindli- ness and small-town feel. "I love the sense of community this town has. Everyone is really friendly and eager to lend a hand to one another," says resident Rosie Pietal. "It feels like a very safe com- munity with everyone watching out for each other." Pietal also says she loves all of the culinary options in town, and she's not alone. In fact, Ipswich has become something of a craft beverage hub over the past couple of years, with Ipswich Ale Brewery, Turkey Shore Distilleries, Privateer Rum, Russell Orchards Farm Store & Winery, and, as of this spring, 1634 Meadery all calling the town home. Ipswich is also a great place for locavores, who will love the produce, meats, cheeses, and more that they'll find not only at Russell Orchards but also Marini Farm and Appleton Farms. Heading out of Ipswich and driv- ing down the meandering curves of Route 133 (stop for a cone at Down- River Ice Cream along the way) will take you to Essex, considered the gateway to Cape Ann. As in Ipswich, there's something that's impossible not to notice about Essex: the density of antiques shops and restaurants crammed along the salt marsh-lined Main Street. "For the past 35 years, we've called ourselves America's an- tiques capital because we believe it's the largest concentration of antiques in a very small area," says Bob Coviello, owner of Main Street Antiques and head of Essex Mer- chants Group. He estimates that there are about 30 antiques shops PLACES MEDIAN 101 Eastern Ave., 3 bd., 1 ba., 1,585 sq. ft., 0.34 acre PRICE $389,000 AGENT Coldwell Banker newenglandmoves.com HIGH END 162 Southern Ave., 3 bd., 2 ba., 2,668 sq. ft., 3.47 acres PRICE $800,000 AGENT Coldwell Banker newenglandmoves.com Real Estate Essex Date of settlement 1634 Date of incorporation 1819 Area 15.9 sq. miles Population 3,504 ZIP code 01929 Median household income $59,554 ESSEX DETAILS Founder and frontman of The Lemonheads Evan Dando, eldest son of U.S. President Gerald R. Ford, Michael Gerald Ford, New Kids On The Block member Jonathan Knight NOTABLE RESIDENTS Essex Elementary, Manchester-Essex Regional Middle School, Manchester- Essex Regional High School PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR THE PAST 35 YEARS, WE'VE CALLED OURSELVES AMERICA'S ANTIQUES CAPITAL BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IT'S THE LARGEST CONCENTRATION OF ANTIQUES IN A VERY SMALL AREA. YOU CAN SPEND A DOLLAR ON A POSTCARD OR $55,000 ON A PAINTING." —Bob Coviello, owner of Main Street Antiques Essex River and Essex Shipbuilding Museum Photograph by Cristi Bastian/Shutterstock (top)