thornes marketplace

I'm a frequent visitor of Thornes Marketplace in Northampton and have enjoyed each visit. The parking garage offers a great deal of 50 cents per hour with the first hour free. I've never had a problem finding a space and the garage seems to be well maintained. There is an enclosed bridge that connects the garage to Thornes so it provides easy access.Inside you'll find this great, old industrial building feel, meshed with all of these neat independent shops. The creaky, hardwood floors, the beautiful staircase, the wonderful stained glass windows - all add to the atmosphere of the building and the shopping experience.My biggest critique of Thornes is their bathrooms. Unfortunately the public badly mistreats them, but they also could be better maintained by the building. I have been told that they are starting bathroom renovations very soon and I look forward to those coming changes. That having been said, it is good that they provide public bathrooms.My favorite places to visit at Thornes are Rao's Coffee, Paul & Elizabeth's, Acme Surplus, Herrell's Ice Cream and of course my all-time favorite Jackson & Connor. Rao's is a nice coffee shop located on the main level right in the midst of it all. Their coffee is good, the service is excellent and their baked goods are very tasty.Paul & Elizabeth's is a Natural Foods Restaurant also located on the main floor. If you're not one who cares about natural foods versus the rest, don't worry about it. The food is quite good and the service I have received is exceptional. I particularly love their fish sandwich. Acme Surplus is a store located on the lower level where you'll find it all at very reasonable prices. From basics (gloves, underwear, socks) to stationary, to toiletries, to cards to, to, to... really they have it all. Everyone there is always very friendly.Herrell's Ice Cream, also located on the lower level, has some great ice cream combination. Blue Berry Muffin and Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookie Dough are my favorites. They can be pretty busy at times, but I've found it's usually worth the wait.Finally Jackson & Connor, a men's clothing store, located on the upper level (2nd floor) is exceptional. You see this small funky, trendy menswear shop from the outside, but inside you find a great selection of well-made clothes in a variety of styles. What I love about Jackson & Connor is the service. It is unmatched anywhere. Not just in a men's clothing store, not just in a store - anywhere. You walk into the store thinking this is what I'm looking for, but if you let them help you, you find combinations of things that go so much better together than you could have ever thought of yourself. Plus they tailor everything to you so it fits YOUR body and your style. Absolutely wonderful - hands down the best!I highly recommend Thornes Marketplace to anyone looking for a variety of shops (they also have a bookstore, candy store, housewares store, women's clothing, chocolate counter, women's shoe store, wine bar, and more). The people are generally friendly and the atmosphere is very enjoyable.

Today was "bag day" where most stores offered a twenty percent discount on any one item. Thorne's has great retail stores, cafes, a natural foods store with experts on homeopathy, a wonderful restaurant, Herrell's ice cream, and a parking garage that connects to it. There is an independent bookstore and wonderful gift stores as well as a high end women's shoe store. The Tibet store has much to offer.

This is a charming place to explore and enjoy shops run by local merchants. You can also treat yourself to fine chocolates or freshly brewed coffee and tea, along with a snack.We love browsing in the shops. Often, you will find items that you won't see elsewhere.

I used to go here a ton when I was a kid and thought it was great. I moved away and during my visit this past weekend went back in. My favorite staple: Cornucopia was still there but there were a tone of editions that made it that much more fun including a candy shop. Not to worry, I still went to Sweeties for my candy craving. This is a great spot to grab a coffee, a snack, and walk around. Love me some Noho.

This marketplace of independently-owned, creativity-based stores is a Northampton institution, featured prominently in the book "Running With Scissors." There's lots to see inside, with various boutiques, coffee shops and an independent bookstore. I was looking for some specific stores in there (pet gifts and a dental health store), but they were gone. There's a bridge to the parking garage, which is very helpful. I will definitely be going back.

Thornes Marketplace is a nice stroll with interesting indoor shops worthy of a look. You don't have to be necessarily in the market for anything special but will surely find something unique and different that may become a "must have." A nice shopping experience especially on an inclement weather day.

I work in the building, so I'm in the place at least 5 days a week. It's an interesting mix -- in the basement, Acme Surplus has overstock, inexpensive "seconds" clothing, and cheap imported tchotchkes from China, and Cornucopia overpriced organic foods. There are a number of women's clothing and accessory shops and boutiques that I ignore, because they're not my style and I find the prices too high. I love Cedar Chest, a little "department store," although I don't spend tons of money there, which would be easy. There's also a locally-owned bookstore.As other have mentioned, there's a restaurant with vegetarian and fish dishes, an ice cream place, and a coffee bar with basic sandwiches, soups, and pastries. The second floor has a new cupcake shop. On the third floor is a yoga studio that groups rent for tango lessons/ milonga; a center for classes for babies, toddlers, and their parents; and a few massage therapists.Tips from a local: downtown Northampton has sidewalk sales every July, and Bag Day on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Pick up a specially-marked paper shopping bag, which have been handed out free at Thornes the last 2 years, and you can save 20% off one item in many downtown stores. A number of stores mark everything 20% off all day, or all weekend. This is a fun event, but attendance was down this past year -- apparently everyone was shopping online, which is a shame when downtown Noho has some really fun shops.Some local organic farmers started a weekly farmers' market behind the building, which now happens every Tuesday, 1:30-6:30 p.m., May to November. It's the best farmers' market in town (perhaps in the area, although I'm partial to the one in Amherst, too). Most weeks, wood-fired pizza or other lunch items are available, and musicians play for several hours. There's also a winter farmers' market in the basement, November to February.Check Thornes' website for sales, events, etc. Now that I've written this, I realize that I work in a unique building, and it's very Northampton!

Great atmosphere and unique shops! When you visit Thorne's, make sure you also check out the store "Faces" across the street,

I love going to Northampton & always make a point of going through Thornes. It has a distinct odor that I've grown to love & associate with the place. I love the old building & the cool shops inside. There's a great little health food store, an Ace supply to get some cheap stuff, some nice clothing stores, a very nice shoe store, Paul & Elizabeths restaurant which is a great place to eat, a little chocolate emporium with great chocolates, etc. There's lots of affordable ( 50 cents an hour & 1st hour is free) parking in an outdoor & indoor garage. Just be sure to bring your parking ticket with you as you'll have to pay before you drive out at a machine. Definitely check out this little gem when you are in Northampton.

Shopping can really be fun when you shop at a market place with such character. Each shop is unique in its own right. The shoppers represent all aspects of the social spectrum. Something for everybody.

Thornes is a one-of-a-kind indoor shopping center. It has class and variety and located in downtown Northampton. You could literally spend the day there, shopping and dining. And, the rest of Northampton is right outside the front door.

Lots of cute, overpriced stores, mostly home goods, beauty / bath, and clothing boutiques. Also, hats, shoes, and bags. No bargains, but fun poking around. There are some things I haven't found elsewhere like certain bath and beauty products that if you like those brands, it's worth a trip. I would certainly take Thornes as just a part of the experience of walking around downtown Noho - All of Main street is fun to walk around, and there are some superb little used book shops (Ravens) and kitchy stores (Faces) http://www.facesmainst.com/ Don't stop walking and turn around at the bridge over main street - further down are some very cool vintage clothing stores if you go for that kind of stuff... Sid Vintage and Retro genie are a couple of them... http://www.sid-vintage.com/_/Welcome.htmlHave fun!

On weekends, it can be very crowded with tourists, but it's fun to browse the many shops in Thorne's. They have quirky, unusual stuff, and you can get ice cream in the basement level at Herrell's.