With today being the first official day of the Summer season, I thought it’d be the perfect opportunity to share some highlights from my recent “SummerWeen” celebration and highlight a local store and coffee shop based in my beloved Salem, Massachusetts!
For those who may be unfamiliar with the concept of “SummerWeen”, it’s exactly what it sounds like. If you love Halloween as much as I do, but you also love the Summertime – it’s a couple of days in mid-June where you can combine the two! Instead of carving Jack-O-Lanterns from pumpkins, for example, you use watermelons! Instead of simply curling up on the couch to watch a horror movie, you take it outdoors and enjoy a screening of your favorite slasher on a projection screen while you and your friends are cooling off in an inflatable pool!
And there’s plenty of unique decorations and food ideas floating around online, too – so you can go all out with your celebration if your heart desires!
But if you’re like me, there’s only one way to celebrate “SummerWeen” properly – and that’s a day trip to Salem – and the first stop you make during said day trip is to Blackcraft Salem on Essex Street. Part occult and gothic-wear boutique, part gift shop, part haunted house and part spooky-themed coffee shop – but all housed within a former and beautifully restored bank building (complete with a vault!) – Blackcraft has a little something for everybody visiting Salem, be it for the first time or if you’re a longtime local.
I had stopped in to grab a “Poe’s Palmer” at Blackcraft Coffee since it was so hot out when Dan and I rolled into town during a day off (and it was delicious, by the way!) but I also browsed the shop in it’s entirety – making mental notes of what I would absolutely be coming back to buy when it comes time to revamp my space and wardrobe for October. Everything is so well-made and fun – and I’m so thankful for how friendly and helpful their team are to anyone who comes through the door, especially since I saw a few shy and curious onlookers peeking into the shop from the sidewalk outside with some caution before they’d eventually made their way in!
I’ll definitely be heading back before the crowds descend on Salem in October, because I could drink about several more “Poe’s Palmers” in this Summer heat and humidity! I’m also going to need another restock of their “Cookies N’ Scream” coffee. I picked up a bag while I was there, but it goes quick!
I’ll have the full recap of the “SummerWeen” celebration up on ‘Coffee & Chiffon’ next Monday, including plenty of photos and links for those who are looking to plan their own itinerary!
Enjoy your weekend, everyone!
(And thank you to Dan Little for the photo assist during this trip!)
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 