It seems every year there is movement, new additions, and some old faces that disappear from the scene of Downtown Nantucket retail. This year there has been a tremendous amount of activity; we have new stores that have come to island and are setting up shop, some have moved locations from spots where they have been for more then 20 years, while others have closed their doors. While its hard to cover them all here I will update you a bit on whats going on.
The Looms a long time face on Nantucket has moved into their own building purchased from Nantucket Bank this past year for $3.1 million. This was the former location of the Robert Wilson Gallery. The looms has had past locations on Main Street once where the Polo Store now stands and also at 35 Main street.
Jack Wills a clothing store known in the UK is moving
to Nantucket on South Water Street, tucked in between Cy's Lobster House and Fog Island restaurant. This is the former location of Claire Murry Rugs - a staple in the downtown retail scene. Claire Murry is moving to Federal Street where the
Looms had a temporary location for a number of years before relocating this year to main Street.
Nantucket Emporium shared a cornerstone location with Nantucket Brand for the last few years at 33 Main Street, they have opened a new location on Federal across from the Post Office.
Sadly Blu a small boutique that was on Cambridge Street will be leaving the Nantucket shopping scene and making room for a rumored swimsuit shop. Also closing its doors is Wolfhound who have been on Main Street for a great number of years. A new
One of the biggest retail moves of the year is the Lions Paw, 
a cornerstone of Nantucket shopping for many years. They have occupied a space at the foot of Main Street for a long time. This year a building a little further up Main Street that is owned by the Free masons became available for long term lease, this used to be the Sports Locker, it will now be home to 
Lions Paw. Now the space they left on lower Main became available upon Lions Paw move and off island Boston jeweler Shreve, Crump and Low will be filling that space.
There are a handful of great spaces available at the time
of writing this post, but I'm sure they will fill up soon; the old Life Is Good location across the street from the Grand Union market is still available, Cromartie Gallery on South Water Street is also available for rent and the building that Captian Tobeys is in just became available for sale at $4,995,000.
If you are interested in commercial or residential space on Nantucket Island, give me a call.
Brian Sullivan
Review this years zoning articles to see how and if they will affect use and development of properties Island wide. 
