Just in time for the holiday season, a new gift shop at The Carpenter’s Boat Shop in Bristol is now open. It features handcrafted items: Shaker-inspired oval boxes and trays, Adirondack chairs made from solid cedar, and wooden toys to delight children. All are made by volunteer Friends of the Boat Shop who meet there every week to work together.
T-shirts, sweatshirts, and caps in children’s and adult sizes, are imprinted with the Carpenter’s Boat Shop logo. And a special feature – while they last – is a collection of beautifully framed fine art prints featuring sailboats, naval vessels, and marine botanicals. These prints were donated to The Carpenter’s Boat Shop by a friend and supporter who owns a gallery and framing shop in Basking Ridge, N.J. They are being sold at less than 50% of their original price.
The gift shop is open – self-service – from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The best way to visit is to come for tea time as the boat shop’s guest at 10 a.m. any weekday morning. After sharing refreshments and chatting with boat shop apprentices, staff, and volunteers, one can then visit the showroom, which features the boats built at the boat shop and the new gift shop in the room adjoining the showroom. Please note: The boat shop will be closed for the holidays: Nov. 27 to Dec. 1 and Dec. 20 to Jan. 6. There will be no tea time and the gift shop will be closed for those vacations. Tea Time will resume Jan. 3 and the gift shop will be open through the school year and into the summer.
The Carpenter’s Boat Shop is located at 440 Old County Road, Bristol. The showroom and gift shop are in the red barn on the right side of the road. Tea time is down the hill on the left at the main workshop building.
