sponsored by
Made on Cape Cod
If you want to really take home a piece of Cape Cod, seek out products that are made here. Besides being a vacation paradise, the Cape is home to many creative and enterprising people whose products have achieved success locally and regionally, and in some cases, nationally. Although this is by no means a complete list, here is a sampling of some of our favorite Cape-made products:
Cape Cod Potato Chips: Made in Hyannis, these goodies are probably the best-known Cape product. Founded by Chatham's Steve Bernard in 1980, the company was later bought by Eagle Snacks, then a division of Anheuser-Busch. When that firm decided to downsize in 1996, Bernard bought his old company back and became a local hero, since his action saved the plant from closing. It's more than just a great name; these are really good chips. For a fun field trip, take the kids on a free tour of the Cape Cod Potato Chip factory on Breed's Hill Road between 9 AM and 5 PM daily, Monday through Friday. You may also call them at (508) 775-3358 or look them up on the web at www.capecodchips.com
Barnstable Bat Company: Baseball fans
will cheer for these bats, which are used by the Cape Cod Baseball League as
well as some Major League teams. They make great gifts for
non-pros, too, especially since you
can have them
engraved. Made of white northern ash, the bats bear the Cape Cod logo and
start at around $40 for an adult bat ($5 more will get it personalized with
your own name) and $30 for a youth bat. The company, launched in 1992, is
located at 40 Pleasant Pines Avenue in Center-ville, where the showroom is
open Monday through Friday and some weekends in summer. Call them at (508)
362-8046 to check hours or request a brochure. They do a lot of mail-order
business, and you can also order off their site at www.barnstablebat.com.
Cape Cod Metal Polishing Cloths: These specialty cleaners have become famous well beyond the bridge since being developed by William Block, an antique brass restorer in Dennis, in 1992. Packaged in a distinctive tin, the cloths are sold nationwide, in Canada and in Europe. People who have tried them swear by them, and we'll second that. For store locations, call (508) 385-5099 or stop by most any hardware store on Cape Cod. For more information, check out www.capecodpolish.com
Cape Cod Lavender Farm: A little-known treasure on the Lower Cape is the Cape Cod Lavender Farm in Harwich. Tucked away down a bumpy dirt drive off a dead-end road off Route 124 (look for the lavender sign about a block north of Harwich Center), this family-run business produces soaps, oils, lotions and candles, all scented with lavender grown on the premises. Walking into the small shed that serves as a shop is a heady experience; the lavender fragrance is almost overwhelming, but wonderfully so. You'll want to stay and curl up on a lavender-scented pillow. Take one home instead, or choose a lavender sachet, or a bouquet of dried lavender. If you can't get there, call (508) 432-8397 for a brochure; the Sutphin family is happy to do mail-order or order over their site a www.capecodlavenderfarm.com.