Gems of The Town of Exeter: Water Street Marketplace

By SHAYAAN KASHIF

Nestled in the heart of Exeter, the aptly named Water Street Marketplace’s front-facing sign—a sleek white-on-black board—would have you convinced that it was a chic furniture shop. Well, you could consider it a furniture shop, but Water Street Marketplace specializes as an antique store. Entering this store is akin to being warped into another dimension; you are immediately inundated with fine china, stacks upon stacks of vinyl records, and odd trinkets that have been collected over time. If you choose to further explore this realm of the past beyond its gateway, don’t expect to leave any time soon. A quirky, vast collection of everything from vintage film cameras to typewriters will seize every last iota of attention you have. And you can’t forget the art gallery downstairs, which features a variety of local artists and offers excellent views of the Squamscott. 

If you have a few hours to kill and have a penchant for vintage items, then Water Street Marketplace is a dream come true. It hasn’t been open long, but it’s already amassed quite the remarkable collection of antiques, and each item is sure to have uniqueness and special value to it. Whether it’s just browsing vinyls and CDs in store, exploring historical items, or just admiring the shop itself, it’s a great way to spend some free time.

The store’s owners are also remarkably receptive to Exonians — they’re more than happy to show you around, answer any questions, or simply have a conversation.  Many of the sound systems on sale can also be tried out, and are often playing, so if you want to listen to some old music, this is an excellent place. In the span of just a couple weeks, I’ve stopped by countless times with friends and family. Most of the time I just look around, but I did end up buying a turntable, a vinyl record, and an embroidered patch. If you’re similarly interested in older items, then Water Street Marketplace’s prices are very reasonable. Overall, it’s a great place to visit, and it’s not far at all!