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Monroe Salt Works - CLOSED
Categories: Shopping Flowers & Gifts Shopping Jewelry Flowers & Gifts, Jewelry [Edit]
202 Massachusetts AveArlington, MA 02474
Neighborhood: East Arlington
(781) 646-6699
- Nearest Transit:
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Massachusetts Ave @ Lake St (350, 77, 79)
Massachusetts Ave Opp Lake St (350, 77, 79)
Massachusetts Ave @ Milton St (350, 77, 79)
- Price Range:
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$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
Each customer is important to us, we listen carefully to your needs, then custom design your jewelry piece paying particular attention to fine… read more »
19 reviews for Monroe Salt Works
19 reviews in English
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Review from Ger T.
Arlington, MA
3/7/2008
This is definitely one of those browsing stores. "Saltworks" is right - half the store is dedicated to pottery of all types, and they have some very pretty pieces. I'm not a pottery person (I drop things all the time, bad) but I like going in just to see their newest patterns.
The other half of the store is great, with random home and kitchen goods, towels, bath products, jewelry, knick-knacks...if you're looking to get someone a present and you think they have everything, I would say go to Monroe Saltworks. They're even environmentally friendly, with lots of organic products to choose from. -
Review from Meg C.
Philadelphia, PA
6/26/2009
Stopped in here because the stuff in its windows reminded my cousin of George's Folly in Brookline. I'm guessing she was referring to the interesting, nostalgic toy aspect of it, since they don't carry stash boxes.
This shop is pretty cute. Like I said, they have old-fashioned toys and cute gift items. It reminds me a little of Macro Polo in Portsmouth. Although, they do carry a lot of handmade pottery. It isn't really my style, but the crow with the corn is kind of cute. Anyway, it would be a great place to purchase a birthday or housewarming gift.Listed in: How very quaint
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Review from Bridget M.
Santa Monica, CA
12/2/2007
This is a great place for shopping for...non essentials that are quirky and neat and will make you smile. Antique locks, worry dolls, unique china, fortune telling fish, sushi pattered wallets, linens, things with crows on them, soaps, candles, shower curtains, toy robots, and a smattering of whatever is hip or trendy at the time.
I'm making it sound tackier or cheesier than it is, but somehow with this eclectic smattering of tchotchkes the place does not at all come across lame, like say Spencer Gifts.
The ceramics and pottery are all quite nice and heavy quality.
This is probably one of the better places to shop for that person on your gift list who has everything and appreciates things unique and spirited. -
Review from Maria V.
11/2/2007
When a store advertises that it sells "hoo-has" on its marquee you just have to go in. There's kind of three categories of merch at this store. First, there's the saltwork pottery, very folk Americana/New England pottery and cookware, sturdy heavy stuff. It lines the walls but is kind of easy to neglect as the rest of the store is filled with SHINIES.
The second category of merch is the kind of ironic-hipster-gag gift stuff you can find at Newbury comics or almost any other funny knick-knack store. When I first visited this shop many years ago, this is what I remember most, sadly.
The third category, now that I'm older and, ahem, "more refined," are the unique gifts and "hoo-has" that are certainly pricier than the Newbury comic gag stuff and a lot classier too. Lots of classy flatware or ceramics, unique handmade crafts (wallets, purses), some gorgeous candles --I'm not a candle fan but even these were enticing.
Random hand-made craft stores are favorite spots of mine to visit and after a while you see the same merch popping up in every store (is there a factory in China that makes this handmade crafty stuff?) -- there's a lot of items in Munroe's that I've simply never seen anywhere else. I walked out of here with two bags full of gifts for friends and myself, and it was money well spent. -
Review from Julie A.
Arlington, MA
6/14/2007
This place has some cute stuff. A good mixture of things you want but don't need for your house, kids, and friends. It's a perfect gift shop for fun, creative people.
They have a good selection, but are all over the place with it. While at a red light a friend of mine noted that it looked like someone threw up in there. Not like actual puke, but it was just a lot of random stuff all squeezed into one spot.
They are also pretty expensive. -
Review from Colleen B.
North Waltham, MA
11/4/2009
Knick-knack, paddy-whack get the dog a bone! This store's got it all when it comes to fun and unique gifts You'll find items for dogs, kids and the kid in all of us. A perfect place to browse and play before a movie or if you're looking for a fun birthday gift. The pottery takes second fiddle to the rest of the shop, but it is no less beautiful in it's simplicity and craftsmanship.
I also purchased some handcrafted items from a local company, which employs people with emotional and physical disabilities. Way to go on that!
Two stars get knocked off for some disjointed pricing on some items and the store can get a little crowded when a movie from the nearby Capitol theater lets out. -
Review from Heather S.
Boston, MA
Updated - 4/18/2010 1 Check-in Here
So sad that this location is closing this month
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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10/10/2008
I continue to absolutely adore this store. While there is one located in Copley too, I think the… Read more »
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Review from M. Deloris D.
Arlington, MA
9/19/2007
This is the place to shop when you need absolutely nothing, because, let's face it: Saltworks is not where one goes to find necessities, though, if you want to find 'hoo-ha's' , this is your place. Monroe Saltworks is a great place to go to find something for someone who has everything. They sell store brand unique heavy duty ceramic dishes and pottery and a variety of other small, shiny, colorful things as well as soaps and candles that smell good in addition to retro toys (hello ViewMaster and Rock'EmSock'Em Robots) and neato accessories to outfit your kitchen. There's something for everyone at Monroe Saltworks as their items span a wide range of prices. Stop in. The staff is friendly, not pushy. At the very least it's a lot of fun to play with the toys.
Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from deanna p.
Arlington, MA
7/18/2006
Lovely little store. great jewelry, retro trinkets, things to make you laugh or say..oh, that's a good idea. odds and ends. great for gifts. and ideas.
Listed in: My Neighborhood, Born to Shop
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Review from Sarah A.
7/19/2006
Definitely a cool place to check out for gifts and the like. Excellent selection.
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Review from Lynette S.
Roslindale, MA
1/2/2009
I feel like there are many of this kind of store lining mass ave in Cambridge and Arlington....A lot of what they sell are national/international knick knack and houseware lines that they display nicely in the store and charge a lot of money for when really it is not super-special. They have themed items like "sushi" magnets or "bird" napkins. A lot of us buy these kinds of things when we need a gift for someone who likes a particular theme. But...being from this area, I am crazy-bored of these kinds of shops...
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Review from Abby R.
2/3/2008
This place amuses me. It's always fun to browse, and they have great things that no one needs to buy for themselves, but they do need to receive them as gifts. Everyone wins. Now will someone buy me an antique lock?
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Review from Dana B.
Somerville, MA
6/15/2007
Some of the stuff is cute, but nothing there was spectacular or worthy of the expensive price tag. Plus, the people that work here aren't friendly and I felt awkward walking around - sort of like in a "why are you here you cant afford anything"
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Review from Vanilla P.
San Lorenzo, CA
8/13/2009
Some online shopping and price comparison will show you that Monroe Salt Works marks up their products about 140%. I'm assuming most of their business comes from theater foot traffic. Also, the huge stair that leads into their front door means NO handicapped or stroller accessibility (unless you have Herculean arm strength). Meh. I've experienced better.
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Review from Ann B.
Boston, MA
12/27/2008
I always come here if I need to buy a gift. They have a nice selection of tableclothes/linens and ceramics (though expensive). I am often drawn to the candles/holders and lighting stuff. There are also a lot of cheaper, quirky and humurous little things if you're on a budget. Don't come here if you approach gift-buying from a utilitarian point of view.. but most of these things are well made and unique.
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Review from heide i.
Cambridge, MA
1/17/2008 1 photo
Fun stuff! Good way to kill time while waiting for a movie at the Capitol Theater. Pretty jewelry and funky gifts for your friends that don't really need anything. Terrific aprons and old toys. Fun to thumb through the books. Maybe even buy myself a little something!!!
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Review from Claudia M.
South Waltham, MA
1/5/2008
Don't know what happened to this place but they USED to have wonderful things. I recently stopped by and it seems that they have drmatically cut back on their inventory. Very sad!
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Review from Regina H.
Arlington, MA
4/8/2008
A reliable place for gifts for the person who has everything! The pottery is earthy yet elegant (my dinnerware consists of crow plates, so perhaps I'm biased) and makes a lovely gift in itself, or there are numerous other art and craft (in the fine sense of the word) items throughout the store. There are also inexpensive gifts like soap, candles and of course hoo-has of all sorts.
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Review from Lauren S.
Middlesex, MA
8/24/2009
Large gift shop that carries pottery, kitchen linens, jewelry, hand bags, totes, stationary and gift ware. Like it because they have a good selection of cute, retro-ish, gift items. Great selection of nostalgic kids toys (anybody for spirograph, viewmaster or a Bozo the Clown punching balloon?). They do have a wide range of items so it is fun to browse. Not crazy about the pottery because every piece seems to be the same grey-green-blue with a bird or flower on it. The prices for the pottery and some of the higher end gift ware (stuff priced over $75) are too high. Several times I have seen the same higher end gift ware for less money at other stores in much nicer and pricier locations (Newbury St, Chatham). The people who work here are nice and will help you if you ask.
