Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
One of the fascinating things about a seasonal resort town is the number of changes that regularly occur from summer to summer. This year marks twenty years of summers in Provincetown for me. I’ve seen many changes over those years — most significantly the closing of my mom’s store on Commercial Street several years ago (and with it my access to a private bathroom while walking around in town and a great location for viewing parades on the streets and fireworks from the deck out back.)
So many changes again this year in town. Some of them are pretty dramatic!
1. The Library is finally finished. Looks great, right? I’ll definitely make time to check around inside this summer.
2. Shop Therapy has moved. No idea how long it has been in Ptown, but it was at this location when my mom moved to town.
It’s now in the center of town. Still has that zany exterior and the smell emanating from it has not changed.
3. The Vixen is now Sage. I haven’t seen the inside yet but it seems to be a dramatic change.
4. The Purple Feather now has outdoor seating with a great view of Commercial Street.
5. Enzo’s has a new porch.
And it’s no longer Enzo’s. It’s now Local 186, and a definite must try for the summer.
6. The store with the awesome window displays is now closed. Boo.
7. And, deep breath, Michael Shay’s was sold. No more Friday night fish fry’s, Sunday brunch buffets, or cozy-by-the-wood-stove dinners in the off season. We had many a brunch with Nana here. We ate here the morning after she passed and again after we spread her ashes at the beach, each time honoring her with a coffee toast.
They started painting it bright yellow by the end of the weekend — I’m sure it will look completely different by the time I return.
Looks like there are two different places going in: a bar and a bakery. I promise to investigate.
8. Townsend’s is CLOSED. So sad about this. Friday night arrivals were usually split between burgers at the Surf Club or fish sandwiches at Townsend’s. And the Mr. and I had a great time on Chris Townsend’s boat pulling up lobsters and banding them a couple of years ago. (This site is also the former location of the legendary and now defunct Clem and Ursie’s — we still talk about that place.)
9. This winter was particularly brutal to my favorite stretch of beach in all the world (yes, I love it more than even Bloody Bay in Jamaica). My mom sent me regular updates, photos and videos showing how much of this area had collapsed. I was happy to see that most of it had been reopened and only this small section was left to repair.
