May 6, 2021, Submitted by Mona K. Pohl for the Hingham Downtown Association
The last year-and-a-half has been a roller coaster on many levels for everyone, to say the least. The good news is with the grand entrance of a beautiful spring, we are moving into better, more stable times and it’s reflected in the positive vibe and bustle in downtown Hingham.
Downtown has been reliable and enjoyable for the community throughout the pandemic and it continues to be a much-needed distraction and a safe option for very pleasant shopping, dining, personal services, and general business. In fact, during this time it’s as though a little magic was happening under the cloak of so much skepticism and concern. To the delight and excitement of the community, new businesses were hatching and opening and existing shops have made exciting changes.
For example, KloTH added men’s and relocated to a new, much larger space at 6 Station Street—just off North Street, and Trellis Home expanded its size by moving into KloTH’s original location at 28 South Street. The list continues: Chel Bella, on 66 South Street, is under new ownership and they are adding new pieces for a variety of style preferences daily -- along with exclusive access to a clean cosmetic line; Mahi Gold women’s and men’s clothing has made its local debut, occupying a large section of the new building at 51 South Street in the Square; Salty Days Fish Co. opened to rave reviews on 93 South Street -- next to Sherwin Williams Paint; EuroMart, fan-favorite purveyor of authentic Italian foods and freshly made sandwiches, launched its second location at 41 Station Street; and Doublemint Home put out its tasteful welcome mat on 106 North Street, offering curated home accents and personalized service to spruce up or add finishing touches to all aspects of home décor. Further down at 38 North Street, Hingham Medical Aesthetics has set up their med spa in a relaxing environment close to the water where they provide a wide range of expert services.
All of these businesses, and many more, are members of the Hingham Downtown Association (HDA), which provides resources and support, as well as opportunities to collaborate and draw on collective experience to best serve customers and clients.
“As small business in downtown Hingham, it was a no-brainer to join the HDA. It offers camaraderie and we stick together in good and bad times—we’re one team,” said Steve Flynn, co-owner of Salty Days Fish Co. “Downtown is getting better and better. It’s great to see outdoor dining, new businesses opening that are different from each other, and people walking around shopping at the different storefronts.”
“We have been so welcomed by the Downtown community,” said Megan Pollenz, co-owner of Doublemint Home. “It’s a vibrant, active community that has ironically come to life during the pandemic. We have seen a great increase in foot traffic, and Springham concerts and Third Thursdays (stores are open until 7:00 p.m. the third Thursday of the month) have been especially helpful.” Doublemint co-owner Jenny Nugent added, “It has been amazing to see people sitting on the sidewalk, eating ice cream and listening to music. It gives us hope for normalcy this summer.”
As spring ushers in a more positive outlook and Mother’s Day approaches, there are ample opportunities in Downtown to select the one, perfect gift or a collection of items that reflect special appreciation for mothers, grandmothers, or dear relatives and friends who are like mothers. Walk the flowering tree-lined streets and find an extraordinary range of choices from pampering services and goodies, personalized notes, coveted home accents, jewelry, chic scarves and sublime lotions, to THE perfect outfit, workout gear, and even a workout.
Arranging an experience Downtown is another great way to mark the day. There are a multitude of options for eat-out or take-home meals, treats or a celebratory cocktail. If shopping is a preference, Mother’s Day can be celebrated with a dip into each store throughout town, and if history is a passion, include a tour with the Hingham Historical Society. For music fans, there are Springham concerts scheduled throughout May, which pair well with lunch, dinner, an ice cream or a smoothie.
Downtown Hingham is one of the silver linings of the pandemic. The business owners worked very hard to make themselves available to the community during the shut-down and they reopened their doors, offering safe, inviting environments which turned into little oases from the day-to-day. It’s easy to be Downtown without large crowds and being rushed, making it an attractive shopping and dining destination for Mother’s Day and beyond.
To learn more about the HDA and view a full list of its members, please visit: www.discoverhingham.com. For information about Hingham Historical Society tours and the Springham concert calendar, go to: http://www.hinghamhistorical.org/ or the Hingham Historical Society Facebook page.