Grab a Pinch of Northampton

The first time I drove through Northampton I was captivated by its energy. It was a damp evening; the red brick buildings reflected and blended the lights of the shops until the town looked like a painting. Through the car window I could hear the strumming of street performers and the bustling of shoppers enjoying the town's melting pot of unique shops and restaurants. It seemed impossible that this town seemed to emerge out of the farmland nestled around it.

It has been six years since my first time in Northampton and the town has only become more captivating with time. In the summers, I’ve enjoyed iced latte’s outside of Familiars Coffee & Tea, inhaling the aroma of ground espresso as people stroll past on the bike path overhead. The same bike path that hosts one of the most beautiful foot bridges in New England. I’ve bartered over the price of musical equipment at Downtown Sounds and tried almost every flavor at Herrell’s ice cream. Northampton is the town where I fell in love; where my ways of thinking were expanded and where I’ve come to see how much soul one town can hold.

Acadamy of Music

The life of the people and the diversity of the mom-and-pop shops will forever hold a place in my heart. Perhaps my favorite thing about Northampton is that it never ceases to surprise me with something new. There is always an interesting show playing at the Academy of Music, or a fascinating exhibit available to the public at the Smith College Museum. I once even had a horribly awkward first (and only) date at the European art exhibit. Thankfully the art was more captivating than the conversation.

Every time that I think I have seen everything the town has to offer, I discover a new hole in the wall, specializing in a unique niche. Before starting this article, I hadn’t known much about Pinch, an artisan pottery and jewelry store in the heart of downtown. Through talking with the owner, Jena Sujat however, I’ve come to see how much Pinch both reflects and means to the community.

Jena had been a buyer for the Cedar Chest when she met the previous owners of Pinch in 2005. It seemed like serendipity to her that they wanted to sell the business, as she had been looking to start up a shop and always loved Pinch.

What I hadn’t realized until talking to Jena, was that Pinch had been in business since 1979, when three local potters; Leslie Ferrin, Mara Superior and Barbra Walch started it as a shop to support the work of local potters. The name Pinch actually comes from the term pinch pot, an ancient method of creating pottery by hand. This was quite the revelation to me, as I couldn’t dream of making anything like the pottery offered at Pinch by hand. The ceramics are beautiful, blending colors and shapes in a manner that is hard to replicate. Since 2006 however, Jena has expanded the reach of Pinch to include more than pottery.

Pinch

“People come to us for Pottery. So, we still carry work from dozens of potters. Artisan jewelry is also something people come to us for. We carry handmade goods from local artists and those across the United States. I tend to choose things that are interesting, unusual, quirky, funny, beautiful.”

Personally, I couldn’t pick a better collection of words to describe Northampton myself. The items on sale at Pinch capture the feeling and mood of the town perfectly. It is a community of art, artists and free expression. The jewelry and other unique items in the store are perfect as a gift to a lover or friend, and I write that as someone who detests cliche gifts. Every item at Pinch is quite literally a work of art and it shows.

Jena profiles over forty local and national artists at Pinch. The relationship she has developed with both businesses in the area and individuals is a great example of what makes Northampton, Northampton. There is a sense of mutual support that runs throughout the town. The business owners talk to their customers and talk to each other.

“After 16 years of owning Pinch, I have become friends with a lot of the business owners. It is a supportive group. I feel super lucky to have a business in Northampton as our Main Street attracts lots of folks who love to shop local and shop small. Locals, students, and tourists love our Main Street and keep it active. If you're not into the big chains, Northampton is a great place to visit as it's filled with "mom & pop" shops and restaurants. It has character, it has life, and the best shopping and dining in a 90 mile radius.”

To truly capture the life and culture of Northampton however, you need to visit. Find the places in the town that light up your mind. Visit Pinch or any of the unique shops around it. Northampton is a town that you will find your own relationship to. It has something for everyone, and all the charms of an artistic college town can offer. The streets are bustling with life every season of the year. Whether it is for a date, to shop or to simply explore, Northampton will be well worth the trip. If you want to read more about what a trip to Northampton might be like for you, try reading this article from The Cultured Collective, outlining all Northampton has to offer.