7 Edgartown Locals Who Bring Martha’s Vineyard to Life

7 Edgartown locals, shopkeepers, restauranteurs and artisans share their love of Martha’s Vineyard.
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7 Edgartown locals, shopkeepers, restauranteurs, and artisans share their love of Martha’s Vineyard.

Captivating us with its tumbling waves and sandy beaches for 125 miles of New England coastline, Martha’s Vineyard is surrounded on all fronts with either the Atlantic Ocean or the Vineyard Sound. One way or another the unique island of Martha’s Vineyard informs the art and craft of local businesses in Edgartown. What better way to live and experience the essence of the island than by shopping on Martha’s vineyard (and eating…and doing!). Visit these 7 can’t miss local businesses if you want to catch a glimpse of what Martha’s Vineyard means to Edgartown locals and how it is conveyed through their lives and work.

I come from a small Italian village called Feriolo on Lake Maggiore, so I know what it means to say that the people are what bring character to a place. Patrick always tells me I could write a book about the characters of my small village. From the outside we may look like just any other village, but the people are some of the most interesting, quirky people you’ll ever meet, and have fascinating life stories. The same applies to Edgartown. It may look like any other New England town, but take the time to talk with some of the Edgartown locals and you’ll see there is so much more to the town than just it’s quaint streets and unique mom-and-pop shops.



1. Stefanie Wolf

Martha’s Vineyard Local: Why Designer Stefanie Wolf is Drawn to Glass Beads

Meet the artistic Stefanie Wolf, founder of Stefanie Wolf Designs, a Martha’s Vineyard jewelry company that specializes in glass beads, who helps make Edgartown in Martha’s Vineyard a destination sparkling with creativity. Each bead is made in the Czech Republic where glass making is an age-old cottage industry. Almost all reproductions are made by hand with original molds and colors so they have the look and feel of vintage beads. Even the production is handmade on island, nothing is machine made. Stefanie and five local women work day in and day out to make the jewelry one-by-one. So no two pieces are alike.

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2. CB Stark Jewelers

There’s one store you’ll see people revisit time and time again throughout the course of their life on Martha’s Vineyard: CB Stark Jewelers. Partners in business and in love, Cheryl and Margie started the Martha’s Vineyard jewelry store over 50 years ago. CB Stark Jewelers is known for a few things, but their most unique has to be their multi-generational charms. Every year people come back to the island with their silver bracelets and collect a new charm that represents the island: a lobster, the island, gingerbread houses, flying horses, gayhead lighthouse, signs that say “Entering Aquinnah,” and so on. It’s a wonderful concept. Anytime they look down, they realize they’re carrying all kinds of memories with them, most of them filled with joy and meaning. CB Stark has about 300+ charms and they come out with 2 new ones every year.

Want to participate in guessing next years charm?

Every year, CB Stark poses the anticipated question to their followers on their Facebook page: What is next year’s charm going to be?

But they have more than just silver charms (although that is there specialty!). They also have plenty of diamond pieces, mother of pearls, gold, lapis, and quartz. I walked home with their famous silver Classic Island Tie. You can choose from a variety of different colors and create a beautiful bracelet that loops into a silver charm in the shape of Martha’s Vineyard. A keepsake that will last you forever, through sand, sea, and more, and remind you of the good times spent on the island.

One of my favorite pieces was the sea glass jewelry. They sell them pre-made or you could bring in your own piece of sea glass found on the island and have it made from scratch into a silver or gold charm, earring, necklace, or bracelet! Another personal favorite is the wampum shell jewelry. What makes wampum so unique is that is has to be carved underwater or it cracks and is poisonous. And don’t even get me started on the Evil Eye made for Jaws the movie. Since the film was shot on island, Cheryl was hired to design the 3 rings on the severed hand in the first scene of Jaws. Today, they sell the same rings in store.

Local Story: The Jaws Severed Hand

For the store’s 30th anniversary, they had the severed hand with the 3 rings on display for everyone to see!



As you can see, I can go on for hours about the different and unique types of jewelry CB Stark Jewelers has. But come see them first hand and talk with the brilliant and passionate people behind the counter who will share local and personal anecdotes about Cheryl and Margie, the various jewels they offer, and the uniqueness of each.


3. Slate

Tucked away off of Main Street, you may or may not come across Slate. A hub for barefoot bohemians and glamorous goddesses alike. It’s the perfect store that distills a jet set yet laidback lifestyle. The owner, Lizzy Hynes, came up with the name while traveling. This store was going to be her clean “slate.” The brand is sprinkled with straw hats, linen pants, canvas bags, oversized tie-dye sweaters, and more. Sure, the store is packed with stunning, minimalistic yet global apparel that reflects the different cultures, colors, people, and landscapes of Lizzy’s journeys, but it’s more than that. Slate is a fruit of a deeply held commitment to social responsibility. A commitment to offer customers their undivided attention, with a promise that tomorrow will be better than today. It’s a home to established and up-and-coming socially responsible mission-driven designers, makers, and brands prioritizing ethical fashion.

One of those products and brands is the Apolis MV Market Bag. The bag is part of the Bangladesh Project, which employs and empowers women in Bangladesh. The Certified B Corporation partners with cities and islands to co-create custom bags made from recycled jute fiber. This waterproof canvas looking bag with leather handles was perfect for my up-and-coming beach escapades on Martha’s Vineyard so I didn’t miss out on it. That and the gorgeous turkish beach towel featured in my pictures. It’s this concept of finding give-back brands, but also finding key partnerships and hosting charitable events that makes Slate so unique.


4. 19 Raw Oyster

A broad spectrum of innovative seafood attracts a steady stream of people and dogs (it’s dog friendly!) right off of Main Street to 19 Raw Oyster. Pat and I took a seat at the front patio and ordered a hand-craft cocktail before diving into the menu. 19 Raw Oyster has a very chill vibe, wooden bar like tables, high top chairs, good music, industrial like accents, space heaters, and good, authentic, and quintessentially friendly New England service.

We started with an appetizer of various locally-sourced oysters that acknowledged Chef Joe Monteiro’s primary reason for opening his restaurant on the island. We ordered 3 different types of oysters from the raw bar including Honeysuckle from Katama beach on Martha’s Vineyard, Island Creek from Duxbury, MA, and Aunt Dotty’s from Plymouth, MA. Each had a distinct and different flavor from the other. My personal favorite was Honeysuckle, it was strong, salty, and briny, but I also love the taste of seafood so had a particular preference for this one. Island Creek was the smoothest of them all and less salty—so if you’re not a fan of the taste of strong seafood, give this try—while Aunt Dotty’s was smaller with some grind to it. Pictured below from right to left: Crudo Salmon Belly, Charred Octopus, Sea Bass.

The menu doesn’t stop at oysters though, 19 Raw Oyster offers items to please any palate. From crudos to small tapas like plates and entrees, it will appease most anyone’s hunger needs. The crudo salmon belly was the surprise hit of the day, it had a tangy Chicharron sauce, popular in Spain and throughout Latin America, that complemented the fatty fish nicely. What makes salmon belly special is that when raw it’s even more fat and has a silky texture to it that is quite unforgettable.

We followed our crudo with a couple of other small tapas like plates including the: Charred Octopus, Sea Bass, and Menage a Trois. The charred octopus gave us a true kick with paprika brine and chorizo, while the menage a trois was a masterpiece that mixed lobster, shrimp, king crab, and avocado in a seamless manner. The pan seared sea bass with tuxedo orzo was spicy yet balanced. It was a very light and fresh alternative if you’re looking for something that doesn’t have many hidden flavors. Whether you’re looking to grab a drink or indulge over lunch or dinner, don’t miss out on this newer and lively locale in Edgartown. You’ll taste unforgettable flavors you’ve never tasted before!


5. Behind the Bookstore

Not sure where you should head for breakfast in Edgartown? Look really hard for a sign down Main Street that reads Behind the Bookstore. That’s the best spot in town. In plain sight, but simultaneously hidden. Behind the Bookstore also offers lunch, drinks, and dinner, but breakfast is definitely a specialty of theirs. Hidden behind the bookstore Edgartown Books, the locale was started by bookstore owners Jeffrey and Joyce Sudikoffis. Make your way through a small cobblestone alley, past some greenery, and you’ll find yourself in an outdoor eatery with tables and chairs scattered beneath a ceiling draped in shade sails. As you step into it, you feel like you’re entering a sultan’s harem with a secret garden.

Interested in a local read?

Before going to Behind the Bookstore, stop by Edgartown books and grab a copy of local Skip Finley‘s newest book Whaling Captains of Color. It’s a great read that involves a collection of the best stories from the lives of over 50 Whaling Captains of Color to share the story of America’s First Meritocracy. It will give you perspective and some color to the history of Martha’s Vineyard during your visit on the island. Plus, it’s a great beach read.

The place is known for having some of the best coffee on Martha’s Vineyard. Behind the Bookstore is very picky about what coffee roasters they work with. They inspect things like the quality of the product, where it comes from, the farm, how it’s made, and the working conditions, before partnering with them. In fact, the espresso I had was to this day was one of the best I’ve had in America. It reminded me a lot of the espressos I order in Italy, that’s how good it was. The coffee had to be the highlight of my morning here. Trust me choosing the “highlight” of my morning was a tough choice between the coffee, the food presentation, and food itself.

Pat and I got in line outside before making our way indoors. As we perused the menu, the bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich was a hearty eye-opener for Patrick, while the caramelized grapefruit and granola and yogurt satisfied my craving. The house-made granola and greek yogurt was beautifully presented. It was the perfect protein fix I needed before going on our hike.

I fondly remember the caramelized half ruby red grapefruit that was served to me alongside my espresso and yogurt. I used my knife to separate the grapefruit flesh from its pith and skin. Once done, I cut between the membranes, making the segments easily accessible to a small spoon. The natural bitterness of the grapefruit’s flesh was tempered by the light caramelized brown sugar sprinkled on top. As for the bacon, egg, and cheese? I don’t know what they did to make it so memorable, whether it was the potato roll or locally sourced ingredients, but Pat’s eyes flew wide open after his first bite.


6. Wheel Happy

Now I’ve biked a lot when traveling. I’ve both rented bikes and used property bikes. I’ve been on bikes that weren’t made to be taken off paved roads or ridden for more than 2 miles. At other times, they were just plain uncomfortable. But the rental bikes from Edgartown that the Hob Knob Luxury Boutique Hotel hooked us up with, made me wheel happy. Wheel Happy is a bike shop located in the heart of Edgartown that focuses on comfort and good gears, which are the most essential part of any bike ride in my experience. The majority of their bikes are from the Giant brand, the maker of the number one selling bike in the world. They want your experience to be magical, memorable, and safe. The Edgartown bike rental comes with a lock, basket, helmet, and map. The bikes made it through paved, non-paved, sand, dirt, uphill, downhill roads and more. They lived up to their motto and made our stay magical, memorable, and most importantly safe.


7. Where to Stay: The Hob Knob

Edgartown Hotels: Hob Knob Hotel, Martha’s Vineyard

The beloved Hob Knob luxury boutique hotel is a deluxe getaway that complements its historic Edgartown setting, while pampering guests with contemporary amenities and excellent service. A tranquil wraparound porch engulfed in soothing trees and flowers shelters you, creating an oasis just steps from the historic village of Edgartown. Each of its 17 rooms are embodied by a different animal motif. A bike rack and shed outside has beach umbrellas, chairs, and more for guests to use at their leisure. This luxury boutique hotel could’ve just been any other Edgartown hotel, but it isn’t. Thanks to the Owner Diane Carr, coolness and upscaleness prevail making it a must stay in Edgartown.

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Off the Grid: Garde East

At the helm of Garde East is new Chef Will Weaver. He works with a ton of local companies, fishermen, and artisans like Grey Barn and MV Sea Salt creating a combination of French and New England cuisine. The menu changes every week to reflect seasonal and local cuisine. Garde East is one of the only two waterfront restaurants in Vineyard Haven with a stunning nautical theme. It’s one of the best views on Martha’s Vineyard with views of the Vineyard Sound, Vineyard Haven docks, stunning yachts and sail boats. Think shipyard lights, wooden floorboards, and white and blue details on the inside and outside. The restaurant has one of the most extensive wine programs in the region with over 500 wine labels, so it was quite natural that I start with a glass of white wine.



When Pat and I first looked over the menu at Garde East, we were shocked at just how much local food we could pick out. For an elegant restaurant with a vast and renowned wine selection, it would be easy to make local food less of a priority, but local products were represented in every course. We started with a beautiful farmers salad and duck rillettes. The farmers salad was a beautiful representation of the Martha’s Vineyard terroir. Made with local products, the salad and dressing got us one step closer to tasting true local flavors. The duck rillettes was a cold bread spread, similar to pâté, that was exceptionally smooth in texture.

The presentation of the whole roasted fish drizzled with green sauce was the highlight of my meal. There it was, an entire fish. Head, tail, fins, scales, and everything! The fish was staring up at me with its glassy eye. It reminded me of the freshly caught fish my grandma had gotten from the fishermen under our house on Lake Maggiore. I peered up at Pat’s plate impishly. The waiter had brought Pat a sumptuous-looking barbecued chicken with a side of locally roasted carrots. The smell of fresh, seared chicken coupled with tangy BBQ sauce basted over the bird emitted an irresistible scent. We spread the napkins over our laps with extraordinary care. Pat took a bite of the tender, succulent chicken, while I cut off a piece of the soft, fresh fish.

We took our time and enjoyed our meal while overlooking the yachts and boats on the Vineyard Sound. Once we were done, we topped our meal off with a key lime dessert. Tart and refreshing, the perfect way to top off a meal on this hot summer day.

>> Next: A Walk Through Oak Bluffs’ Gingerbread Cottages

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