Expanded Spa To Fill Former Bookshop Space in Wenham

An existing business in Wenham is expanding in the same location and will add new offerings.

Inside Out Health and Wellness has expanded at the same address in Wenham, moving into space that had been home to a beloved children’s bookshop that closed earlier this year. The old space was about 500 square feet  at 162 Main St. and the new space isabout 900 square feet for Inside Out. The one big change is the addition of a wellness room that will host a variety of events and programs, ranging from lectures to spa party nights. That’s in addition to its longstanding skin care and massage offerings. Owner Victoria Varney has owned the business for the past eight years at the same address in the front portion of the commercial complex on Main Street. But when the space in the back opened up, she jumped at the opportunity to expand at …

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New Pizza Shop to Open in Downtown Wenham

Mangia, a chain of pizza shops in Boston and south of Boston, plans to start its expansion north of Boston in Wenham by moving into an empty retail space along Main Street.

Mangia Neapolitan Pizza plans to open in a previously vacant retail space along Main Street in Wenham. Mangia licensee Derek Langone said the company takes a "measured approach" to choosing new locations said he feels Wenham will appreciate the company's focus on quality. Mangia has seven existing locations, including two in Boston plus Brookline, Cohasset, Hopkinton, Norton and Sharon. Langone is the licensee of the Wenham location - and possibly some other future locations. Steve Fenerjian is the CEO of the Mangia Restaurant Group. "We chose Wenham because it's a charming small town; Additionally our research indicated that there is a shortage of high quality food options available," Langone said. "We also heard from many local residents…

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Pilates Studio, Interior Decorator Among Possible Reuses of Children's Bookshop Space

The former home of Banbury Cross Children's Bookshop has a new owner and has interest from several possible new tenants.

The new owner of commercial space in downtown Wenham that was once home to Banbury Cross Children’s Bookshop has received interest from a Pilates studio and interior decorator about moving in. In June, Banbury Cross Children’s Bookshop closed its doors after 24 years. Owner Patricia Purdy said just in the prior year sales had dropped off, mostly in part because of an increase in Internet shopping. In comments on Hamilton-Wenham Patch, more than a dozen users said how much they loved the shop and the special attention they got from Purdy and the other employees. Last month, David A. Cutter of Essex bought the property at 162 Main St. and is now renovating it. He has gutted the inside and reroofed it. He also plans to sealcoat the parking …

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Local Spa Owner is Now a Mary Kay 'Influencer'

A Wenham spa owner, already a celebrity aesthetician, now has a sponsorship from Mary Kay and will serve on its Influencer Panel, introducing the skin care products to national magazine editors.

At home, Maria Lekkakos is one of a handful of small business owners in downtown Wenham. On the road, Lekkakos meets with writers and editors from some of the top women’s magazines in the country, taking about the latest product line from Mary Kay. Lekkakos recently inked a sponsorship deal from Mary Kay. Lekkakos, owner of M. Lekkakos Salon and Spa, is a celebrity aesthetician, who last month traveled to New York City to introduce Mary Kay’s latest line – Botanical Effects - to editors from magazine including Allure, Good Housekeeping, In Style and Women’s Day. She talks about Mary Kay’s new line and shows beauty writers and editors how it is used and explains the benefits of skin treatment. “It has opened a lot of doors,” she said. She …

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Then and Now

A View Today of What Was Perkins Store

Here is the answer to our latest "Then and Now" historical photo contest.

The latest "Then and Now" historical photo feature shows Frank Perkins' store in downtown Wenham. Both the “old” photo and the “new” photo are attached to this story. The photo, looking north, was taken taken on March 27, 1891. D.G. Howard from Essex is shown making a delivery to the store in the photo. On the righthand of the building, which is now home to Grassy Roots, was a drug store run by Perkins' brother, James. There's a new historical photo posted every Tuesday. Check the site next Tuesday for the latest one. Special thanks to Arthur "Butch" Crosbie and the Hamilton Historical Society and the Wenham Museum for providing the photos we use for this feature. Plus, if you have a picture that was taken somewhere it Hamilton and Wenham …

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Five Shopping Days Left: What are Some Great Local Last Minute Ideas?

Share with other Hamilton-Wenham Patch users some of your great local last-minute gift ideas in Hamilton and Wenham.

Procrastinators – it’s crunch time. If you are looking for a way to finish your holiday shopping and avoid traffic lights, a search for a parking space or the need to feed a meter, there’s lots of local options right here in the two towns. Do not forget about Patch’s “Places” guide, with a complete directory of every local business, with a link to its website, hours, phone number and other important details you will want to know before heading out. And even if you are out and about, you can get it all on our mobile smartphone App. In the comments section below, let others readers know: What are some local gift ideas to grab in the few remaining shopping days before Christmas?

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Nine Questions and Answers About Thursday Night's 'Christmas in the Village Marketplace'

The biggest event of the shopping season is Thursday night in Hamilton and Wenham, with live holiday music, store specials and an appearance from Santa.

The second annual Christmas in the Village Marketplace is happening on Thursday night. Here’s a quick wrap-up of some of the things you’ll want to know before you head out. When is the Christmas in the Village Marketplace? Thursday, Dec. 8 from 5-8 p.m. Where it is happening? In the combined Hamilton and Wenham downtown (300 at Main, Bay Road and Railroad Avenue) plus Wenham Village on Main Street. How long has the Christmas in the Village Marketplace event being happening? This is the second year it has happened. It was organized last year by the newly formed Hamilton-Wenham Merchants Association. What’s going to be happening out of the ordinary? There will be live music, sales, specials and giveaways, plus food and drinks at many shops …

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Lekkakos Expands by Adding New Stylist

Jessica Amabile is the newest master stylist at M. Lekkakos in Wenham.

M. Lekkakos has expanded its hair salon by adding a new hair stylist - Master Stylist Jessica Amabile. The downtown Wenham business is the North Shore’s only full-service salon, spa and boutique. “Jessica is a very talented hairstylist and is a wonderful addition to our team,” said Maria Lekkakos, owner of M. Lekkakos Salon, Spa and Boutique. “We are so excited to have her on board.” Amabile, who lives in Lynn with her husband, has more than 12 years of professional experience in the hair industry and is a nationally registered hair colorist, according to an announcement on Wednesday from the salon. She is a graduate of the Learning Institute of Beauty Sciences and since then has continued her studies in the Greater Boston area and New …

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Wenham Museum Soliciting Feedback on Plan to Add Evening Hours

Wenham Museum is working to come up with a solution for parents whose 3-year-old wants to see trains when the 1-year-old wants only to snooze.

Jen Fowler's youngest child usually gets up from her nap between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Often, by the time she's able to get to Wenham Museum, it is closed for the day. A self-proclaimed “huge fan” of the museum, Fowler, of Beverly, is one person who would benefit from the possibility that the museum could be expanding its hours to stay open later one afternoon and evening per week. “My youngest tends to nap until 3 or 3:30 p.m. so by the time we get there it’s too late,” Fowler said. The museum’s current hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday - though standard - are often prohibitively constricting for parents. “We really want to meet the needs of busy families," said the museum's marketing director, Mary Barthelmes. Those who do…

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