Best Art Gallery: Granary Gallery
636 Old County Road, West Tisbury, 508-693-0455, granarygallery.com
Runner-up: Featherstone Center for the Arts
30 Featherstone Lane, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-1850, featherstoneart.org
The Granary Gallery is that rare art organization that displays premium paintings, photographs, and sculpture in a friendly, non-intimidating atmosphere. Owners Chris and Sheila Morse head a knowledgeable staff. Thomas Hart Benton, Alfred Eisenstaedt, and other talented local artists are always on display. Featherstone Center for the Arts hosts a season-long series of exhibitions, always with something fresh and new.
Best Gift Shop: Rainy Day
66 Main Street, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-1830, rainydaymv.com
Runner-up: Alley’s General Store
1045 State Road, West Tisbury, 508-693-0088, mvpreservation.org
Island-made sea salt, serving platters, novelty socks, and bawdy to-do lists – Rainy Day has a thoughtfully chosen gift for everyone on your list, guaranteed. Alley’s General Store operates on the “more is more” principle. The sign says “dealers in almost everything” for a reason.
Best Bait and Tackle Shop: Coop’s Bait & Tackle
147 Edgartown-West Tisbury Road, Edgartown, 508-627-3909, coopsbaitandtackle.com
Runner-up: Dick’s Bait & Tackle
108 New York Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-7669
Though there is a great selection and fine customer service, the bait and tackle may be the least valuable thing at Coop’s. If you want to know where and how to catch fish, Cooper Gilkes is the first guy you want to talk to, and he’s usually holding court behind the counter. If he’s not there, he’s probably out fishing in that spot he doesn’t tell anyone about. Dick’s Bait & Tackle in Oak Bluffs also serves up plenty of good information with its bait and tackle selection.
Best Flowers: Morrice Florist
149 State Road, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-0392, morriceflorist.com
Runner-up: Flowers by Donaroma’s
271 Upper Main Street, Edgartown, 508-627-3036, donaromas.com
Lilies and tulips and begonias, oh my! Morrice Florist can handle all your floral needs, from extravagant weddings to a surprise bouquet for your loved one. The attractive Vineyard Haven store also contains a well-curated selection of gifts, cards, vases, and housewares. At Donaroma’s, pick up a pre-made bouquet or have one custom made while perusing the greenhouse and garden shop.
Best Garden Center/Nursery: Donaroma’s
271 Upper Main Street, Edgartown, 508-627-3036, donaromasnursery.com
Runner-up: Jardin Mahoney
45 Edgartown–Vineyard Haven Road, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-3511, jardinmahoneymv.com
Donaroma’s whimsical, seasonal displays are always a welcome sight along Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road. But the beauty and creativity doesn’t end there. Check out the assortment of herbs, vegetables, annuals, topiaries, landscape plants, soils, and supplies in the nursery and greenhouse. Jardin Mahoney’s garden center has everything you need to turn any patch of soil into a glorious garden.
Best Children’s Clothing: Basics Clothing Company
24 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-8819, basicsclothingcompany.com
Runner-up: Rainy Day
66 Main Street, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-1830, rainydaymv.com
From everyday togs to holiday dress-up, Basics Clothing Company goes well beyond the essentials to give parents their choice of well-made clothes and shoes for kids. Rainy Day stocks a colorful assortment of kids’ clothing and accessories, unrivaled no matter the weather.
Best Hardware Store: Shirley’s Hardware
374 State Road, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-3070, shirleyshardwaremv.com
Runner-up: Granite
242 Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, Edgartown, 508-627-3232
Shirley’s Hardware, on State Road in Vineyard Haven, is a classic old-style establishment with a little bit of everything you need to fix it, make it, or rebuild it. Aisles are crammed with staples of the do-it-yourself set, everything from power tools to holiday lights. Granite lives by the old adage “if we don’t have it, you don’t need it.”
Best Home Goods Store: LeRoux at Home
62 Main Street, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-0030, lerouxkitchen.com
Runner-up: Granite
242 Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, Edgartown, 508-627-3232
With three full floors of kitchenware, home décor, and bedroom and bathroom goods, LeRoux is the Island’s go-to emporium for everything from gift-giving and party prep to stocking a new home. Granite is packed with home basics, and also has an extensive hardware and garden supply department.
Best Jeweler: CB Stark Jewelers
53A Main Street, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-2284
10 Main Street, Edgartown, 508-627-1260, cbstark.com
Runner-up: Claudia
51 Main Street, Edgartown, 508-627-8306
34 Main Street, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-5465, claudiamv.com
CB Stark’s Island-inspired designs have captured the spirit of the Vineyard in silver, gold, and other natural materials for five decades. The Martha’s Vineyard charms have become an especially beloved tradition. Claudia, another longtime favorite, stocks quality designs by jewelers both local and international, plus accessories and perfumes.
Best Bookstore: Bunch of Grapes Bookstore
23 Main Street, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-2291, bunchofgrapes.com
Runner-up: Edgartown Books
44 Main Street, Edgartown, 508-627-8463, edgartownbooks.com
The beach just isn’t the same without a good book. Pick up titles by Island authors, national bestsellers, and even a few nationally best-selling Island authors at Bunch of Grape’s brand new two-story location. Edgartown Books is a classic, independent bookstore with a welcoming staff and vibrant children’s area.
Best Men’s Clothing: The Green Room
71 Main Street, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-6888, vineyardsurf.com
Runner-up: Basics Clothing Company
24 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-8819, basicsclothingcompany.com
Founded as a skate and surf shop, the Green Room has bloomed into an indispensable two-story department store for Island life, stocking fashionable brands such as Barbour, Patagonia, and Tommy Bahama. Basics carries everything from shoes and socks to button-downs, neckties, and casual attire.
Best Pharmacy: Leslie’s Drug Store
65 Main Street, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-1010
Runner-up: Conroy Apothecary
459 State Road, West Tisbury, 508-693-7070
82 Pennacook Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-696-0700, conroyapothecary.net
The Vineyard’s last remaining Main Street pharmacy, Leslie’s earns its customers’ loyalty with attentive service and a wide assortment of goods including local calendars and cards, bath items, and beauty supplies. At both Conroy’s locations, you will find friendly staff, full-service pharmacies, and shelves stocked with more than just essentials.
Best Shoes: The Green Room
71 Main Street, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-6888, vineyardsurf.com
Runner-up: Basics Clothing Company
24 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-8819, basicsclothingcompany.com
Born, Frye, Converse, Steve Madden, Vans, Dansko, and Hunter are among the hot footwear brands you’ll find at the Green Room. The store also carries clothing and accessories for men and women. Basics carries Clarks, Uggs, Crocs, and other casual and athletic footwear, plus sandals and dress-up shoes for all ages.
Best Women’s Clothing: The Green Room
71 Main Street, Vineyard Haven, 508-693-6888, vineyardsurf.com
Runner-up: Basics Clothing Company
24 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs, 508-693-8819, basicsclothingcompany.com
A Patagonia Preferred Dealer, the Green Room stocks classic sportswear for both day and evening, including denim from Paige, Hudson, Levi’s, NYDJ, and Citizens of Humanity, plus a well-chosen selection of accessories. Basics lives up to its name with lingerie, jeans, dresses, and a variety of tops, all the basics needed for casual or dressy attire.
