Category: Places

Photo Essay: A&P and BF, Chatham

The tile mosaic at 631 Main Street, Chatham. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

by Jeff Shaw

Four* letters A, P, B and F, respectively, affixed to the (ground) entrances of 631 Main Street, Chatham are creating quite a buzz in town about preserving local history, no matter the size, style or scale. And for good reason.

*really just two letters are creating the buzz

Those four letters represent almost 90 years of occupancy by just two businesses at 631 Main Street in downtown Chatham. Those two businesses – the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (better known as A&P, the American chain of grocery stores that operated from 1859 to 2015), which occupied the building “sometime before WWII” until 1959; and, local Ben Franklin “five and dime”, which moved in thereafter until closing its doors in 2025. The building was erected in 1925, so indeed, a century of entering and exiting.

The letters B and F appear on the ‘faux mosaic’ at 631 Main Street, Chatham. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw

The A&P tile mosaic has withstood the test of time (though it was “protected” by a black rug for years) and represents a design reminiscent of the popular Art Deco style of the 1920s and 1930s, hence the desire to preserve. The BF initials are not featured as glamorously and are in far rougher shape, though the design attempts to mirror the A&P mosaic. Perhaps BF can be referred to as a “faux mosaic” for comparison purposes.

An application has been filed by Lilly Pulitzer to relocate to the vacant 1925 building from a different location on Main Street. Will LP be the next initials affixed to the (ground) entrance? Only time will tell.

The currently vacant 101-year old building at 631 Main Street, Chatham. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

April 20, 2026

Sip and Sit Series: Ryder’s Cove, Chatham

Happy trails at the trailhead! Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

by Jeff Shaw

In summer 2025, a new recreation trail opened in the wooded area that surrounds the busy boatyard of Ryder’s Cove in Chatham. That trail is named the Marconi/RCA Wireless Conservation Trail, and it is the perfect setting to sit and sip a beverage of your choice.

The kiosk at the trailhead provides a history lesson. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Given that the trail is quite short (3 acre parcel), practically, it’s more of a pocket park, with a kiosk providing detail of the historic nature of the site and some seating. It also leans into the areas history; it was a recreation area for the staff of the Marconi-RCA Wireless Receiving Station from 1914 until the 1990s.

The wide and gentle terrain trail leads to the overlook. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Along the trail, there are benches and a picnic table to sit and sip, with most spots overlooking the moored boats bobbing gently in ever changing tides.

Not surprisingly, my choice of beverage was hot coffee, on a chilly late summer morning. Just across the road, you can pick up the Wireless Trail at the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center grounds, the starting point of a fun adventure – the Antenna Trail Challenge – similarly inspired by the site’s history (and a pandemic).

The view from the overlook. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Back at the turn of the 20th century, the Marconi-RCA Wireless Receiving Station was once the busiest ship-to-shore radio stations anywhere. Still standing at the site are two wireless towers, which now host osprey nesting platforms. Concrete footings of the former wireless transmission site can still be seen at Forest Beach in Chatham (osprey nests, too).

In case you need a reminder why you’re on the trail! Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Nowadays, on an average day, Ryder Cove is busy to say the least. But on an average summer day, buckle up, take a seat, sip and enjoy the show!

March 25, 2026

Ultimate Coffee Klatch in Chatham

by Jeff Shaw

There are no shortage of coffee shops in most Cape Cod towns. This fact is particularly true in Chatham, the home of what might as well be called the Ultimate Coffee Clatch. Why? An elite roster of heavy weight roasters are found in every corner of town. Let’s take a look.

Classic cars on Sunday mornings at Chatham Cookware Cafe. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Chatham Cookware & Cafe, Chatham (downtown)

Perhaps best known as the classic car hangout on Sunday mornings, the coffee brewed is Beanstock, locally roasted in Eastham. Pair the coffee with sandwiches to go, and enjoy quite an efficient way to start your day.

Express lane at Chatham Perk. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Chatham Perk, Chathamport

The home of the most affordable cup in town, a large coffee registers for under $3 (at the Chathamport location). The coffee brewed is Cape Cod Coffee – and they also operate Cape Cod Coffee on Main, a long time/former coffee shop featuring a welcoming front yard patio, near the White Marlie store. In the summer months, the Chathamport location offers a grab and go outside on the patio (drip coffee and pastries only).

“Gooey and Groovy.” Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Hey Joe and Jam, West Chatham

The long-time home of a long-closed jam shop, this premium roaster offers a “Central Perk” type coffee house vibe – ” a gooey, groovy, community cafe,” – with pricey coffees (drip is $5+ for the smallest size). Their food creations are paired with locally made jam, their jam, with names like Strawberry Field, Blueberry Thrill and Stairway to Bacon.

Seating in a swimming pool! Photo credit Jeff Shaw.

Three Fins Roasters, Chatham

This coffeehouse and cacao factory is located in a former swim club. The brewed coffee is Three Fins Roasters, with a seemingly endless menu of beans to buy and seemingly growing wholesale program.

The Chatham location seating area is actually in the former swim club’s old pool. The uniqueness comes from an equal commitment to a chocolate-making side hustle – “chocolate’s that’s good for you. ” They also operate a coffeehouse and roasters in West Dennis.

Pain D’Avignon, Chatham

The former Emmabelle’s Cafe, former Chatham Village Bakery & Cafe is now a breakfast, lunch, dinner and wine bar. They roast their beans daily at their facility on Cape Cod. But prepare to dish some dollars. A cup of drip coffee starts at $4+; a breakfast sandwich on a buttery croissant is $17. They also operate locations in Hyannis and Osterville.

Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters, Chatham (downtown)

Located [in a closet] diagonally behind the Chatham Squire, the Expresso Bar operation is quick service in a quiet garden off the main drag. The hideaway location is perfect to sit and sip. They also operate a Coffee House in Brewster and Roastery in Sandwich.

February 8, 2026

Strong Start for Snowshoeing on Cape Cod

The bridge to Ridgevale Beach, Chatham. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

by Jeff Shaw

The first day of the New Year was a morning of firsts – welcomed by a perfect blanket of freshly fallen, sparkling snow. Now that may not seem all that special, it is winter after all, but waking up to a snow covered landscape – on January 1st – on Cape Cod – was a personal first. But the snow covered scenery didn’t stop there; a trailing winter gale blasted another 2-3 inches late-morning.

Most people do not enjoy shoveling snow. But on Cape Cod, receiving enough fluff to necessitate shoveling is quite the novelty experience. Trade your five and dime plastic sand shovels for a metal bladed Snow Blaster 2000. It’s an odd feeling. I can also report that boogie boards work just as well as sleds or tubes for a little chilly downhill slide.

Looking West towards Cockle Cove Beach. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

Once the storm subsided, the call to the ocean was too loud to ignore. An unplowed parking lot greeted me. The beach was empty; raw; cold and otherworldly from its peak summer, jovial appearance. The wind was still swirling, biting any and all exposed skin. The landscape desolate.

The snow was considerably lighter than most coastal storms. There was no crunch underfoot, even sand was revealed on my boot tread. I trudged to the shoreline against the wind.

Is it the Arctic Circle or a Nantucket Sound-facing beach on Cape Cod. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

But just as quickly as the winds were gusting, the light was changing. Gray skies slowly gave way for purples and blues. A bird flew overhead. The wind quieted. The storm was moving on.

The gift left behind was the uncommon ability to break trail in an actual winter wonderland, snowshoes optional.

The snow covered dunes with Bucks Creek Bridge in the distance. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

January 8, 2026

Town Cove Tap House at Snow’s Cape Cod, Orleans

Welcome to the greenhouse?!? Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

by Jeff Shaw

As the holiday season is upon us, is there no better afternoon than a stroll through a charming downtown, gift shopping in an expansive general store, watching a buzzing model train display and grabbing a pint? Or maybe walk, run, pedal or skate along the Cape Cod Rail Trail and make a stop for hard seltzer? Or a game of corn hole?

Well, you can do all that and more, at Snow’s Cape Cod, and located in their greenhouse, Town Cove Tap House.

Snow’s Cape Cod, since 1877, hardly needs any praise or promotion. But new use of their greenhouse is worth covering. Last year, the father-and-son-duo James and Harrison Snow, celebrated their love of craft beer by opening a tap house in the store.

Welcoming bar overlooking the beer garden. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

This “amazing addition to the destination spots on the Lower Cape for craft beer…”, as written by the Cape Cod Chronicle, features 20 beers on tap from local artisans to brewers all over the country, offering a rotating menu and tap-takeovers, providing exposure for budding craft beer entrepreneurs.

Town Cove Tap House offers their space for private events as well as community gathering, most recently for a speaking series and movie nights.

Just outside is the beer garden, featuring fire pits, Adirondack chairs and yard games. While a layer of frost will likely be found this time or year, check back in the warmer months.

Yard games in the beer garden. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.

I stumbled into the place [figure of speech!] while looking for a new fishing net for the kids. They were drawn to the model train display; I was drawn to the hops (just walking through as we were on the beach time clock). While observing the operation, a couple at the bar were chatting with the bartender on how they too, were shocked to find this gem hidden in plain sight. I chuckled at the similarity.

I ended up purchasing the fishing net, but will have to return to “have a cup of cheer.”

Let it Snow(‘s)!

November 21, 2025