Bank Square Books is an independent bookstore in downtown Mystic, stocking new releases, staff picks and preorders and hosting author talks, storytimes and book clubs. Shoppers can buy in store or order print books, audiobooks and gift cards through its online shop.
Best for Staff picks, author talks, and storytimes at a downtown Mystic indie bookstore
Kitch is a gourmet kitchen store at Olde Mistick Village stocking cookware, cutlery and gadgets from brands like Le Creuset, Shun and Smithey, plus hot sauces and specialty foods. It also runs cooking, baking and mixology classes and sells online through Shop Kitch.
Best for Kitchenware, cookware, cutlery, specialty food
Mystic Knotwork is a decorative knot shop, hand-tying sailor-knot bracelets, woven coasters, nautical wedding decor and home goods from American cotton since 1957. The family works from a 180-year-old building on Cottrell Street and a second shop in Olde Mistick Village, and sells online too.
Sift Bake Shop is a family-owned, French-focused bakery in Mystic run by pastry chef Adam Young, making artisanal breads, breakfast pastries and savory items from scratch daily. A full barista bar rounds out the flagship on Water Street, with further locations in Niantic, Watch Hill and at Mohegan Sun.
Best for French-focused scratch-made breads and pastries with a full barista bar
Studio Jeffrey P'an is a glassblowing studio at 25 Roosevelt Ave in Mystic, Connecticut, where the artist has worked with glass for 30 years. Pieces are built from hot mosaic work sculpted onto the blowpipe, then cold-carved and polished after cooling.
The Toy Soldier is a family-owned toy store, the first shop to open in Olde Mistick Village back in 1973, stocking collectible toy soldiers, dolls, plush, puzzles and imaginative-play sets. Its shelves favour games, science kits and gifts that spark reading and time together over screens.