The Very BEST of Newburyport… From Rebeccah Pearson of NewburyportGuide.com

Left to right from Smitten, June Pastman, Alanna Pastman winners of Best of Boston in the North Shore Magazine two years in a row!  Photo Credit - Rebeccah Pearson /Newburyport Guide
Left to right from Smitten, June Pastman, Alanna Pastman winners of Best of Boston in the North Shore Magazine two years in a row!
Photo Credit – Rebeccah Pearson /Newburyport Guide

 

By: Rebeccah Pearson, Newburyportguide.com

August 2013

Smitten – Newburyport

Owner June Pastman of Smitten helps cater to the needs of customers and clients sharing her passion for the clothing industry that began from a young age. Instinctual knowledge of purchasing, dressing, and fashion consulting for women of work, leisure, and play speaks in volumes as you enter the doors of Smitten. Clothing and accessories change with the four seasons of New England, highlighting the ever-adapting color pallet of now a day function and formal wear.

With a giving heart, June, over the years has raised money for various charities and enjoys tight relationships with her customers, treating customers like family upon your first visit. Her passion for dressing women continues in creating displays and having great people working as an experienced designer team that will meet all needs of new and current clients, as well as giving advice in fashion. Let them become your personal consultant.

Daughter and business partner, Alanna Pastman, who was born in Florida and brought up in New England, graduated from UNH with a Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Family Studies. Alanna has worked in the childcare industry and fitness industry in management positions since then. Through the years, Alanna has worked with mother and co-owner June in clothing boutiques, and participated in several of June’s fashion benefit shows. “My love and passion for the fashion industry continues with the simple glow that happens when a woman leaves Smitten feeling beautiful….it is simply rewarding.”

On their second year of being in business in Newburyport, they have won Voters Choice Best of the North Shore two years in a row 2012 and 2013, Voters Choice Best Casual Women’s Clothing Store two years in a row from the Daily News in Newburyport 2012 and 2013, and Voters Choice Best Casual Clothing Store in the Newburyport Guide 2013. This dynamic duo continues to be a shining star in our city of Newburyport. Smitten – 23 Inn Street – Newburyport MA – 01950 – 978/ 499.7912 – www.SoSmitten.net

In The Barn, Newbury MA

Brand new boutique opens in Newbury MA. In The Barn, located on 1A at the Parker River in Newbury, is your destination for unique furniture, gifts, and home décor items. The inventory includes an eclectic mixture of new and old; rustic and elegant. In The Barn sits on a historic site along the banks of the Parker River known as the Ferry House (also known as the Pumpkin House because of its color), which was built over 300 years ago. The breathtaking view of the river and the protected marshes welcome you as you approach the shop. In The Barn specializes in hand painted furniture, providing paint workshops for individuals as well as small groups to help you learn various techniques to paint pieces of furniture that might need a new look in your home. Sheila and Meghan Bussone welcome you to stop by today and enjoy the treasures that In the Barn has to offer. This fantastic mother and daughter team will welcome you into their brand new store, and will help you welcome yourself to your brand new decorated home.

In The Barn – 286 High Road – Newbury MA 01951 – 978 255-4335 – www.InTheBarnVintage.com

Warren Street Deli

Dana of Warren Street Deli and Market of Newburyport has been providing service to the area for over 30 years as a general manager and chef, then opening five years ago at their location on Merrimac Street which began as a small convenience store and blossomed into a full deli and market. With lottery, groceries, deli meats and cheeses, coffee and drinks, pastries, and also home of the Marge Bar, created by Dana’s wife Margie Walentuk. The Marge Bars are homemade granola bars filled with delicious and all-natural ingredients perfect for long trips, snacks, athletes, and simply a healthy treat with many great things included in the ingredients.

They have won three years in a row for Number 1 Deli on the North Shore by Wicked Local Newspaper! They are proud of, and thankful that the community adores them as they do their customers. You will find the Warren Street Deli and Market open 7 days a week to continue to bring their customers great finds, great food at great prices year long.

The owners can always be found working behind the counter in the Warren Street Deli as well as their family bringing you that great family feel as you walk through their doors. All their sandwiches and deli meats are Boar’s Head, which is the finest of quality products. “The Cashman Park sandwich is my personal favorite, it is sliced ham, turkey, honey mustard, lettuce, tomato, bacon, swiss and cheddar cheese, and bread of your choice.” Dana says with a smile. Other sandwiches available are paninis, seasonal creations, you can also find two hot meals Mondays and Wednesdays, as well as “a dynamitic pulled pork sandwich”.

Homemade pastries line the counter that are made from scratch in their kitchen every day, as well as an amazing coffee cake that I tried that he shared with me that the recipe came from his mothers cookbook that was first made in 1934, and has been passed down from generation to generation and now enjoyed with his customers.

Hands on catering is available for your various functions, with no limitation on menu, allowing you to design and create your specific needs and desires for your company or party. “I don’t specialize in one thing, I specialize in everything. We will provide and cook whatever you need from back yard barbeques to gourmet meals.”

The Warren Street Deli is a conveniently fresh and neighborhood friendly establishment. Stop in there today! They are located at 226 Merrimac Street, Newburyport, MA 01950 or give them a call at 978-465-1288.

To build or not to build?

The Newburyport Waterfront has been a well visited and loved area in the great city for many years. Newburyport was originally part of Newbury, was established in 1635 and separated in 1764. The three shipyards carried and helped productivity and increase revenue and population, and by 1851, Newburyport became a city. Known for ship building, fishing, and a major shipping center that provided product to the surrounding areas and ran ferries and stage coaches between Boston and Portsmouth, NH. Up until 1900, you could even find you favorite rum being made right in Market Square by Caldwell’s!

Today where our beautiful waterfront sits that overlooks the Merrimac River, once held whaling fleets and clipper ships that were made by local boat builders. Newburyport was the center of the ship building communities in the area. The Merrimack River lines the coast, and now with our great Parker River National Wild Life Refuge, we are a destination spot for not just people and visitors and locals, but also on the path of migrating birds that find their home here.

Beginning last year, we heard of a plan to build on the waterfront here in Newburyport. In September of 2012, the Newburyport Redevelopment Authority announced their grand plan of redesigning and building a new waterfront. Commercial buildings were on the top of this list to carry the shopping district to the waterfront from State Street and the surrounding shopping district, and to sweeten the deal saying they wanted to add more grassy park areas, but this in fact would ultimately take away parking spaces which the City of Newburyport has very little now that there is paid meter parking in the Green Street parking lot. The master plan created controversy in the City of Newburyport, many wanting the area to be left alone, and others ready for a change and wanting the plan to pass. The voice of the people was heard, and in July 2013, after many meetings in town (which most people didn’t know where and when they were until after they happened), the Newburyport Redevelopment Authority came up with a new plan. The promise again for more park area, three buildings (which before there was only two) that will line the waterfront but cutting down on the amount of space the buildings would cover. Local merchants are concerned that more retail is not needed in the community and will only take away business from existing shop owners. What makes Newburyport so unique is that shopping is separate from the waterfront, so visitors have a chance to enjoy both. They can stroll along the waterfront and enjoy the boating traffic and views, then venture into the retail shopping area of town.