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 lettersare 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.
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!
Chatham has risen up the leaderboard of the number of Level 3 (fast) chargers on Cape Cod (6).
Two (2) can be found at Cape Associates, located at 782 Main Street, and four (4) can be found at the Eldredge Garage, located at 365 Main Street. With the charging stations at the Eldredge Garage, Chatham now has the most Level 3 electric vehicle chargers east of Hyannis. Unlike some public Level 2 chargers, none are free.
Don’t let the historic garage (recently restored) fool you; it’s home to EV chargers! Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.
Whether intentional or a coincidence, both sets of chargers are located on the exact opposite ends of Downtown Chatham. Meaning, you don’t have to walk far to find food, retail, or entertainment to pass the 20-30 minutes while your vehicle (quickly) charges.
The Eldredge charging stations, which are manufactured and operated by FLO, charge 52 cents per kilowatt hour for Level 2 and 62 cents per kilowatt hour for Level 3 charging. The charging stations at Cape Associates, operated by ChargePoint, charge 50 cents per kilowatt hour.
The Level 3 chargers will get your vehicle back to 80% battery life quickly. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw
Level 2 chargers are located at Chatham Bars Inn but are for inn guests only. Other nearby Level 2 chargers, open to the public, can be found at Stop and Shop in Harwich.
According to ChargeHub, the Town of the Barnstable is the leader of EV charging stations on Cape Cod, with 35 total Level 2 stations and 6 total Level 3 stations. There are 25 free stations (likely only Level 2) in Barnstable.
Level 3 chargers at Cape Associates. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.
So, no need to worry about where to charge on your way to the Outer Cape. Just make sure you have enjoy juice to get back to Chatham!
Don’t sleep on Cape Cod’s winter season. I’ve written extensively on the holiday season and there is certainly no shortage of fun to be had around the holidays (anywhere really).
I’m referring to the cold and gray core winter season, from ‘dry’ January through the beginning of Daylight Savings Time, early March.
As a seasonal destination, Cape Cod (and other seasonal areas) had/s a reputation of ‘being closed for business’ for the winter. Not that long ago, the inside joke was the only buildings open in winter were the post office, grocery store and library. (Probably not too far off.) Similarly, shoulder season marketing is still in its infancy.
It is also hard to blame any business or merchant from giving themselves extended time off during the slowest time of year. The core summer season hustle looks torturous at times.
See, Chatham is open all year long! Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.
But the world is different in 2025, though winter is still winter. Winter on Cape Cod remains quiet. Traffic, practically non-existent, yet there are more people around thanks to a combination of remote work and a growing (albeit at a snail’s pace) year-round population.
Equally noticeable is the landscape. The natural world has transformed into muted tones of brown, gray and dark blue, a vivid contrast to the green of budding bushes or bright colors of annual and perennial plantings. [I intentionally omitted those pesticide infused green lawns…Cape Cod lawns only! If we poison the natural environment that makes Cape Cod so special, what are we left with?]
This is the time to get lost along the fire roads of the Outer Cape. Winter is the time to visit new-to-you beaches for combing, photography or quiet contemplation. Parking is free this time of year. You can probably even bring your dog onto most beaches.
In case you didn’t believe it earlier. Photo credit: Jeff Shaw.
The cold season is an excuse to try new-to-you coffee shops, bakeries or similar delights in all 15 Cape Cod towns. Find those delights.
Sure winter is cold, dreary, and maybe too quiet for comfort. So layer up, wear a hood and push through like our core summer season hustlers. Trust me, it won’t be nearly as torturous.
The lobster trap Christmas Tree in Provincetown. Photo credit: Ptown Tourism.
by Jeff Shaw
The holiday season is upon us! And Cape Cod is a wonderful place to experience authentic Christmas cheer, “where modern amenities and Victorian charm casually coexist.” (Boston Magazine)
So in an effort to spread some Christmas cheer, check out these holiday events on Cape Cod. You may just catch the holiday spirit!
Christmas by the Sea, Chatham
Christmas by the Sea weekend, December 13th – 15th, is full of events that have leapt right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. The celebration kicks off on Friday night with a children’s light parade that escorts Santa down Main Street on a fire truck to the tree lighting ceremony at Sears Park (intersection of Seaview and Main Streets).
Activities continue in shops up and down Main Street as well as free horse & carriage rides and visits with Santa in the Chamber Information booth (next to Yankee Ingenuity gift shop). Saturday brings plenty more events in the businesses around town, including a special movie screening for the little ones at the Chatham Orpheum Theater and Breakfast with Santa.
Christmas Parades, Falmouth, Hyannis & Mashpee
Christmas Carolers in Falmouth. Photo credit: Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.
Gardens Aglow, Heritage Museum and Gardens, Sandwich
Gardens aglow! Photo credit: Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.
Gardens Aglow at Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich celebrates the season with over nine miles of holiday lights. Stroll through the illuminated grounds, while also taking time to pose with Santa in a 1914 Ford Model T, take a ride on a vintage carousel, roast marshmallows, and participate in a reindeer scavenger hunt.
Drive through Sandwich and try to spot all of The Giants, over two dozen illuminated sculptures along 6A.
Polar Express, Cape Cod Central Railroad, Bourne & Hyannis
One of Santa’s little helpers. Photo credit: Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce.
All aboard! Magic is in the air on the Cape Cod Central Railroad’s Polar Express, where passengers will sing carol over cookies and hot cocoa. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away for a festive trip to meet Santa.
Trains depart out of the Buzzards Bay depot from late November through December.
Lobster Pot [Christmas] Tree, Provincetown
There is quite possibly nothing more quintessential New England than a Christmas Tree made entirely out of lobster traps. Provincetown’s Lobster Pot Tree is made using over 100 of them – all borrowed from local lobstermen – and is accentuated by 3,000+ LED lights and colorful buoys. Visit Provincetown’s Lopes Square anytime during the holiday season.
