Thursday, October 8, 2020 by Gabrielle S. Martin
The Anchor has the latest on The Scene: a new store has opened in South Hingham!
Located at 16 Whiting Street off Queen Anne's Corner, Mainland is a one-stop shopping destination, offering gifts for all customers and all occasions. From weddings to new houses to hostessing, Mainland has everything under one roof! They also offer, among other amenities, clothing, jewelry, a kids section, a large inventory of men's gifts, and holiday items with an emphasis on local brands and merchandise. Their hours of operation are 10am to 5pm Mondays thru Saturdays, and 11am to 4pm on Sundays.
Mainland owner and operator Sarah Higgins spoke with The Anchor earlier this week about her second store’s opening: this is the sister store of Three Buoys and a Mermaid, a unique gift boutique based in Duxbury. Higgins spent 16 years building Three Buoys before deciding to expand to open a Hingham location.
Six years ago Higgins previously opened a Three Buoys location in Downtown Hingham and shares, “I’d always known a Hingham location was a goal of mine; Downtown has an amazing vibe, and I attempted that in 2014, but the Lincoln Building decided differently for me (referring to a roof collapse in the building that winter). It was simply not meant to be!”
But now Higgins feels the time is right to reach her goal with the opening of her new Hingham location.
"This is an expansion and we’re thrilled to be in 02043, as we have spent years building a customer base doing home shows and fundraising events in town since 2012!”
Mainland will offer a few unique items Three Buoys and a Mermaid does not, and vice-versa. “I want to be welcome into town and not bring in what other fabulous business owners already carry!” Higgins explains. “I like being unique and I love the creativity my business allows me to nourish.”
When asked how she would describe Mainland’s aesthetic, Higgins said, “My inventory is a reflection of my customer! I buy for them. With each location," referring to her first store in Chatham, and then Harwichport before Duxbury and (now) Hingham, "I have taken the time to curate a shop that my customers are wanting in each specific location."
So, what's Higgins's favorite autumnal item stocked on Mainland's shelves? "By far Farm & Sea candles, diffusers, room sprays, and lotions! White Pumpkin is a current favorite; however, [the scents] Cozy Harbor, Grapefruit, and Sea Salt are year-round top sellers."
She says that cozy sweats, sweaters, and "chic sneaks" are equally popular at the moment, and rightfully so: they live at the intersection of where Chic-meets-Comfortable, making them the perfect WFH attire.
Be sure to make your way to Mainland and welcome this unique boutique to our town! This is the perfect place to shop for anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, or for yourself!
As Sarah Higgins says, "We are stocked and want to get to know you and help your gifting exceed your expectations."