Newport, Rhode Island, offers some amazing shopping, with unique boutiques that you simply won’t find anywhere else. If you’re traveling to this classic New England summer destination during the next few warmer months, or if you’re making a winter stop by the coast to pick up some Christmas gifts, you’ll easily discover great shopping options regardless of your taste or style.
Once a significant sea trading hub, now Newport caters to a different kind of trade (Photo: Jasperdo via Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
1. Arianna Skincare
Arianna offers an “innovative brand of natural skin care and beauty products based on the power of Dead Sea minerals.” The all-natural, allergen-free and paraben-free products range from body scrubs to collagen-boosting repair masks. Facial care products address every possible problem one might have, from acne to aging, dry skin to dark and puffy eyes. Body care products do the same, providing exfoliation, hydration, cleansing, toning and other solutions.
A men’s collection includes hair and skin products like shampoos, aftershave lotions and more.
Other gift-worthy products include a line of handcrafted candles created with all-natural ingredients and coming in tantalizing scents such as Oreo and donuts.
39 Bowens Wharf
2. GINEVA Murano Glass Jewelry
GINEVA Jewelry is created using glass hand-selected and imported from Murano, Italy (Photo: GINEVA Jewelry)
GINEVA is the nation’s leading independent, authentic, Murano glass jewelry designer and manufacturer and it just opened its fourth gallery store at Bowen’s Wharf in Newport.
If you’re unfamiliar with Murano, this island destination lies off the coast of Venice, where it’s made a name for itself in the ancient craft of glass making, becoming synonymous over the ages with the finest, handmade glass. GINEVA uses this same glass in its jewelry designs and collectables.
The pieces are designed and created in New England, in a small town of Connecticut, combining Murano glass with Swarovski Crystal, sterling silver and gold.
“If you love genuine Murano Glass, you will appreciate the glass blower’s earned talent, and be overwhelmed by the exquisite beauty of this glass, brought to life in our amazing line. If you have not seen our GINEVA Collection before, come visit us at Bowen’s Wharf, you don’t want to miss it!” commented designer Christina Kurtin in a recent release.
“There is a great story behind each and every piece of jewelry in our collection. For example, the Marmelli Collection, stemming from the Italian word ‘Marmo,’ translates to ‘marble.’ It emulates the looks of marble with 24Kt gold and aventurina (sparkling copper) infused and swirled at varying depths in the glass. The Klimt pieces emulate the paintings of the famous Austrian Painter, Gustav Klimt.”
GINEVA is family-owned.
8 Bowens Wharf
3. Jason & Co. Jewelry
A long-time Newport favorite, Jason & Co. Jewelry recently relocated to the Bowen’s Wharf area. Reviewers have called the boutique “a must-visit shop if you’re interested in high-quality, uniquely-designed watches and jewelry.”
Browse pieces from more than 50 designers from around the world, and choose from elegant statement pieces to refined, elegant one-of-a-kind finds.
In 2017, Jason & Co. Jewelry was named the best jewelry store in Newport.
57 America’s Cup Avenue
4. Sea Bags Maine
Sea Bags Maine offers totes and accessories handcrafted from recycled sails (Photo: Sea Bags Maine)
Sea Bags Maine creates its unique product, Sea Bags, using U.S.-sourced materials, including products from one of the few remaining thread manufacturers still located in the country and one of the few rope manufacturers left in New England. The sails used to create the bags are acquired through a sail trade program, which has allowed Sea Bags to save more than 700 tons of sails from being thrown in the trash.
Why are Sea Bags a great gift item? Sea Bags are not only water resistant, but they also are entirely unique. Many boast features from the original sails, including things like stitching, hardware and character marks from the sail’s life on the water.
“These facets speak to the authenticity of the recycled nature of these products and make each bag wholly unique,” says Sea Bags Maine.
25 Bowens Wharf
5. Cottage & Garden
This decor store is a perfect place to find a gift for that friend or family member who always has impeccable interior design taste. Whether you’re looking for something for the home or for out in the garden, you’ll discover unique pieces ranging from new favorites to antique finds.
There’s a little bit of everything when it comes to home items, ranging from huge pieces — like chairs, farm tables and chandeliers — to smaller items, from taxidermy to planters. A small gift section also includes candles, cards, home fragrances and decoupage.
9 Bridge Street
6. Shore Soap Company
The Shore Soap Company provides a beautiful line of natural, luxurious soaps and body care products that take inspiration from the natural surroundings. Both good for your body and for the environment, the lines of soaps, moisturizers, scrubs and more are eco-friendly and budget-friendly, a combination you don’t see very often. You can also find pet and hair products here. Gift boxes are available and make the perfect present for that special someone.
302 Thames Street
By Holly Riddle