You probably know Tupper Lake for its pristine waterways and great hikes, including the Tupper Lake Triad. Besides the outdoor fun, Tupper Lake has some great shopping. Park Street in downtown features unique and charming stores, from a donut shop/laundromat to Birch Boys, a chaga tea company. The uniqueness, artistry, and talent found in the downtown showcases the many artisans based in Tupper Lake. I wasn’t surprised, but excited to learn that some of the most talked about local makers in the Adirondacks are based in this rustic village. I spent a sunny Friday in March exploring and learning more about the local talent.
Spruce and Hemlock
This high-quality gift shop, owned and operated by Faith and Andrew McClelland, is a favorite among locals and visitors. The store is stocked with a wide range of handcrafted gifts, including screen printed T-shirts featuring a variety of originally designed Tupper Lake and Adirondack logos. The T-shirts are screen printed down the street by Andrew at Stacked Graphics. Faith and Andrew also make 100% soy candles onsite, in scents like maple bourbon and blue spruce.
Earth Girl Designs
Rachel King is Earth Girl and her jewelry is elegant and inspired by the natural beauty found in the Adirondacks. The simple yet dazzling pieces are affordable and intended to have a light carbon footprint. Rachel uses sterling silver and copper as alternatives to gold. New in 2020, Earth Girl has a fabulous shop on Park Street. You can also find her creations at Spruce and Hemlock, The Village Mercantile in Saranac Lake, and online.
The Leather Artisan
This place smells great! Not strange at all if you have ever been surrounded by handcrafted leather goods. These leather artisans design and create tool belts, wallets, handbags, moccasins, and more. Stop in the shop and talk with owners Allison and Broyce Guerette as well as the other local talent that help to create their finely crafted items. They will tell you all about the leather making process and give you a tour of the store and studio where all the action happens.
Tupper Arts Center
One of the newest editions to downtown is this premier arts center that features a gallery stocked with art by local artists and a gift shop. It’s a great place to shop for an authentically Adirondack gift and to check out the local talent. Right now, because of precautions against the spread of Covid-19, the Tupper Arts Center's shop is online only, but it's still a great way to explore local talent and shop for something truly unique.
Purdy Things at Jane’s Place
Jane is the artisan behind the Purdy Things. Jane’s Place features a unique selection of repurposed, antique, and vintage home decor. This place is perfect for gifts, and it’s hard to resist getting something for yourself here.
There are plenty more local makers in Tupper Lake that I didn't feature on this list. There's Touch of Wood and Raquette River Outfitters. So start planning your trip to Tupper Lake today!