The Stock Exchange — Attraction in Manchester-by-the-Sea

A group of friends and I stopped here recently while visiting and walking around Manchester-by-the-Sea. There were a lot of charming and beautiful items, but the customer service was abysmal.

We went in 15 minutes before closing time, and immediately upon walking in, the woman behind the counter gave us a dirty look and reminded us, curtly and a little too loudly, of that fact. OK, fine -- we figured we would browse quickly and be on our merry way.

We moved down to the lower level of the shop to browse. While we were browsing, another woman who worked there came in to the upper level and asked the first woman (still behind the register) if anyone else was there. The first woman said -- loudly enough for us, her potential paying customers, to hear -- that she had told us they were closing, but we wouldn't leave.

Despite this woman doing her best to prevent a sale, one of my friends did end up buying a set of julep glasses for $100. You'd think that would alleviate some of this woman's pique. Yet as soon as the last of us had cleared the door of the shop, she audibly slammed and locked it behind us. I guess courtesy and grace cost more than $100 here.

Spend your...

If you consign, it is difficult to get your money from this shop. They "hold" your funds until you sell $100 worth of merchandise. Imagine the amount of cash belonging to consignors that they are using interest free? There is no contract stating this policy! Also, if you request your money, they say "oh we don't pay out at the shop, you have to wait for so and so....she is out of the state for months"...I do not recommend doing...

Three rooms full of things. Furniture and fancy things as well as clothing for guys and girls. There are old wares and modern design elements. There are signs and posters and shoes and mugs and tables and model ships and games. They keep the layout nice so it isn’t overwhelming to walk around. It’s not a big store, but most people will be able to find something that catches their eye when...