Wald & Sea, photo: Meghan Sepe
Every year, usually a month or two before summer officially starts, we see new shops pop up and it’s always a delight to welcome new faces and places to Newport. Following a really weird 2020 (⇐ understatement), I’m particularly excited as every small business owner has their own story to tell.
For various articles I’ve written over the past 16 months, I’ve talked to owners who opened in the midst of the pandemic, owners who put plans on hold last year so they could evaluate how and when things would improve, owners who were tied to a lease and had few choices, and owners who’ve had to completely pivot.
I’ll be highlighting some new places around town in small digestible posts over the next few weeks. Let’s go:
Bobbles & Lace, 17 Touro Street
Newberry Street, Newbury Street, Nantucket, and now Newport, our Bobbles & Lace is the newest of the seven New England locations of this cool women-owned shop. The sweet dresses in the window on Touro Street at Washington Square caught my eye one morning and I made a mental note to return. Self-described as “chic, modern, fashion-forward designs at an affordable price,” pieces here range from cute tops, trendy bottoms and timeless dresses, plus accessories. A small space also means every piece there is purposeful for the Newport shopper. @bobblesandlace
Baby Bias, 150 Mill Street
Bohemian Bias in the winter of 2017 and instantly made an impression with its fresh collection of clothing, accessories, housewares, handmade pieces from small producers and some vintage finds. When a neighboring space became available, the owners saw the right time to open this shop for mini stylistas, Baby Bias, offering a “refreshing, down to earth take on baby and children’s goods.” Think: earthy, simple, quality pieces for cool kids. @shopbabybias
Wald & Sea, 107 Spring Street
“California-meets-New England style” could not be a better description of this charming housewares shop on Spring Street which opened last June, but “housewares” seems like an understatement for this stunning space. Glassware, tableware, cutting boards, pitchers, candle holders, napkins and napkin rings, bundles of sage for smudging and throw pillows plus tote bags and some cool jewelry. Have you ever been in one of those spaces and just thought, “I want it all! Make my home look like this!” – Wald & Sea is that place. The shop of global finds is awash in whites, metallics, wood and natural textures. @waldandsea
Follow me on IG at @newportstyle as I share about more local places to explore!
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