A Guide to the Town of Wrentham, Ma
At the center point of what you call Wrentham on the “East Street” and “South Street” corners is a large dirt lot, an Original Congregation Church (weather beaten), and the common green with a gazebo, benches and dedicated markers. You could say the fourth corner holds the beginning of the only lined store street that exists. But what a walk!
Fairly new, “Tootsies” is a soda/ice cream shop giving the impression of something out of an old time era right up to the benches outside where the town people gather. 2 doors down is Mmm – Marcias’s sweet Pantry and like it’s name it’s a yummy place to visit!
During the summer and fall many town folk gather along this part of the street where the common greens are overloaded with people attending flea markets, fundraisers and down home concerts.
A few doors down is the Dejavu dinner. This little country restaurateur brings you the ole time flavors and memories of a long ago but not forgotten era where neighbors stopped in for good food and great conversation.
Wrentham sports the usual pizza parlors – there is Omega and one that use the towns name (Wrentham House of Pizza) and another using “town” in its name (Town Pizza). It has the usual banks, Town Hall (brand spanking new), Police and Fire department (fairly new as well), local True Value hardware store, a Dunkin Donuts and Henry’s Barber & Style shop – showing it is a growing affair. But this quaint, elegant “little” town also holds “The Scottish Shop” offering Scottish/Celtic gifts including clothing, jewelry, piping supplies, music, accents & tableware, stained glass, crystal, Tartan scarves, sashes, ties, tams, seasonal products and other unique Scottish craft items. True they are only open 3 days a week and 3 hours per day at that but well worth it! Thursday, Friday and Saturday Noon to 3:00 PM.
They can boast of the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets, a “Simon” Company. The possibilities are endless! Covering designer fashions, & sportswear, shoes and stores for children. You can find fine leather and luggage, accessories and jewelry along with gifts & specialty items. Products for the home and after all that shopping stop off and re-vitalize at the Main Street Eatery Food Court, Friendly’s, or Ruby Tuesday. Recently a Cracker Barrel Cheese and Dunkin Doughnuts have been added. Although I find a lot of the stores pricey the services they offer are pleasing. There are telephones, ATM, stroller rentals, wheelchairs availability, lockers and even Internet access in the Food Court. And of course there are moments we all need a restroom – 5 locations!
And for those who are interested in antiques – Wrentham is the place. Yes the “mall” has those as well in the Bombay Co. store but you must try the rustic East Street Antiques shop on Route 140 about 1.2 miles from the center of town. It buys and sells estates and has that “back then” feel to it. Always decorated for appropriate holidays as well as the usual seasonal touches it assists in adding to the enticement of stopping in and browsing.
Further down on South Street you have Wrentham Antique Market Place – a newer update-shopping place. Having been here for 15 years they have offer an 8,000-foot showroom with reconditioned antiques, vintage furniture and beautiful ornamental accessories. They are often heard on the local radio station.
The Commodities Market is another small antique/collectible shop off of Route 140 on Franklin Street. Although it sits back they usually put something of distinctiveness by the side of the road to catch your attention. Prices range for low to high as does the items from olden to a more up to date, second-hand fare.
I lived in this town not too long ago. In fact I had been there for 11 years. Since my moving about a year and a half ago, I have come to the conclusion I did not truly appreciate the wonders of it. I miss it terribly. Go spend some time, scratch that surface for it is well worth it!
