Getting to Know Brewster's Lemon Tree Village Shops

As you settle into the Cape Cod community, you'll notice each town's abundance of local shops. Of course, the Cape isn't immune to the multinational chains taking over every mall in the country, but town centers still have small retailers that provide very specific services.

In Brewster, Lemon Tree Village Shops provide a truly local shopping experience. Chain shops have not infiltrated this small strip mall on Main Street, ensuring that future generations know what it's like to visit specialty retailers in a small town.

After buying a home on Cape Cod, determining which local retailers are your favorite is part of the fun. And if you relocate to Brewster, Massachusetts, there's a good chance that the stores at Lemon Tree Village will be on that list.

A Look at the Stores

Despite its relatively compact size, Lemon Tree Village Shops has over a dozen retailers. These stores include:

• Brewster Birdhouse – Birdhouses, birdbaths, and wild bird accessories
• Brewster Sweets – Fine chocolate, truffles, candy, and other sweets
• By the Bay Designs – Jewelry, decorative art, and local crafts
• Cafe Alfresco – Breakfast, tea, and lunch restaurant
• Christmas Emporium – A holiday gift shop that's open year-round
• La Bodega – The hottest trends in women's fashion
• Lemon Tree Pottery – American-made pottery and other crafts
• The Cook Shop – Gourmet cookware from around the globe
• The Village Gift Shop – Gifts for around the home
• Tracy Lamperti Counseling and Consultation – Psychotherapist office
• Village Toy Store – A locally-run, independent toy store
• The Store Next Door – A baby shop inside the Village Toy Store
• Woodworks Gallery – Wood furniture, jewelry, and hand-carved items
• The Sanctuary – New Age gifts, yoga classes, and energy readings

While you can't get absolutely everything at this mall, it does provide a nice cross-sample of specialty shops.

If you're new to the area and looking to get set up in your new home, this strip mall is sure to have something for you.

Getting There and Parking

Reaching Lemon Tree Village Shops is straightforward, although the mall is a bit hidden. 

The venue sits on the western end of Main Street in Brewster, just before it merges with Lower Road. Lemon Tree Village is a little ways from downtown Brewster's center but close to other attractions like the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History and Drummer Boy Park.

There isn't much in the way of signage as you approach the mall, but it's the only non-residential property in the area, helping it stand out.

As for parking, there's a small lot out front and a large area for overflow parking in the back. As a result, you'll never struggle to find a spot when looking to visit one of Lemon Tree Village's stores.

Annual Events

Since Lemon Tree Village Shops is a staple in the Brewster community, it makes sense that it would host or participate in various events throughout the year.

One such event is Brewster for the Holiday, which runs from late November until the middle of December.

Lemon Tree Village will often participate in this event by hosting pictures with Santa Claus. There's a food drive included as part of the picture-taking attraction, encouraging locals to bring canned items for those who are less fortunate.

Other holiday events at Lemon Tree Village include a coat drive, where you can donate your old jackets to charity, and a toy drive, where you can bring unwrapped toys to the parking lot in an attempt to fill up a police cruiser. If you buy a toy from a store at Lemon Tree Village, the shop will donate the money to the charity, too.

The Garden Club of Brewster holds a holiday event at Lemon Tree Village, as well. Members sell wreaths and other Christmas decorations, which are the perfect addition to your home if it's your first year on Cape Cod.

Part of the Brewster Community

As you can see, Lemon Tree Village Shops are a significant part of the Brewster community and give back whenever they can. These stores aren't part of massive chains, where you're just a number, as the owners of these stores are part of the very same town and support those in need through their actions.

Moving to Cape Cod allows you to immerse yourself in the culture, and part of that involves getting to know some local vendors and what they represent.

In Brewster, Lemon Tree Village is one place where you can develop relationships with these vendors and become part of the local community.