Shop Small in Eastern Connecticut

From clothes to candles and home décor to handbags, Adore, this cute shop in downtown Mystic is a one stop shop for everyone on your list, including yourself! Look for the black and white awning and head on it for “worldly treasures for the home.”

Main Street Soap Emporium, a downtown boutique on Main Street in Mystic is the perfect stop for scented delights for all your bath and body needs. Their candles, soaps, lotions, potions, and other goodies all smell amazing, with many locally sourced and handmade products. Stop in for all your gifting and self-care needs!

If antiques and vintages are what you’re after, then a stop The Little Shop in the Woods is a must. Treasures await you in the scenic town of North Stonington!

As the name implies, this adorable little yellow house in Niantic, Gumdrops and Lollipops sells endless sweet treats, including candy, chocolates, homemade ice cream, cocoa and much more.

The Telegraph, a locally owned indie record shop in downtown New London boasts a large, well-curated collection of vinyl records, as well as “old school” cassettes, CD’s, DVD’s, and other musical memorabilia. There are also turntables, speakers, boom boxes, and other devices for your listening pleasure and an impressive collection of used books. It’s a music and book lovers paradise!

You’ll want everything in this beautiful little store on Main Street in Putnam, August & March is filled with unique home décor and accessories. Their Christmas stock is amazing, but they have got stylish and seasonal home goods year around, including baskets, signs, candles, furniture, décor and much more. They were even featured in a recent Hallmark movie!

You can’t visit Putnam and not stop in Skeeter's, especially around the holidays when you are bound to find the perfect gifts for all the littles on your list. Skeeters specializes in wooden toys, puzzles and books and carries many classic toys as well as fun and interesting novelty items.

A true local institution, Carson's is located in the tiny fishing community of Noank, located within the town of Groton at the mouth of the Mystic River. Originally a general store, Carson’s has transformed into a cafe & breakfast restaurant while maintaining its classic charm. They serve breakfast, lunch & of course Ice Cold Ice, as well as gifts and trinkets. 

Carson’s Store first opened in 1907, run by Jane Carson and the Carson Family in two different locations prior to settling on its current location at 43 Main Street. It is currently run by the Blacker family, who purchased the building in 1979. Today, Andrew Blacker operates the store and is working hard to preserve the rich tradition of the store and the community.