Village LIFE: Dennis Village

Campus of the Cape Cod Center of the Arts, consisting of the Cape Playhouse, the Cape Cinema and the Cape Cod Museum of Art. Photo by Josh Shortsleeve

Things have certainly changed and evolved over the last three centuries elsewhere in the world, but in many ways, the life and pursuit of pleasures has sustained in Dennis Village. New businesses (mostly offering home-keeping solutions or fresh, straightforward cuisine), often started by young entrepreneurs, are popping up throughout the hamlet. And many have similar sensibilities; a theme of simplicity and quality tends to run throughout. At the core, most operate with the kind of dedication, hard work and commitment found in an earlier era.

Kender & Sisters Kitchen + Coffee and Firestarter Pizza is one such business, even though it sounds like two. Newly opened this past spring, sisters Margot and Mallory Kender are the talents behind the bakery portion of the business, baking and brewing daily (they also offer a small yet delicious and distinctive lunch menu). Their almond croissants are gargantuan and should be on anyone’s desert island list, if for no other reason than they will sustain you until you are rescued. At 3 p.m., Geoff Boehme, Margot’s husband, shifts the whole operation into overdrive as he cranks out creative and mouthwatering pizzas, wings and most anything else that can withstand an 800°, wood-fired pizza oven.

Julie Dow fulfilled a dream of being part of a vibrant creative community when she opened the Salt Yarn Studio earlier this year. Her mission to connect with her local community and expose the talents of artisans has been well received by village residents and beyond. The shop offers classes, materials and support for knitters and crafters of all kinds while offering unique products not found anywhere else. For example, a local woman applies natural dyes to skeins of yarn exclusively for Salt Yarn in variegated color ways like “hydrangea,” which mimics the many hues found among the iconic flowers throughout the season, and “lobster roll,” which needs no description at all.

BARN & Co. has been a staple in the village for decades. Showcasing work by local artisans as well as popular sought-after brands, they will make a dent in anyone’s gift list. Blossoms Florist, tucked behind an antique home at 543 Route 6A, is just the kind of florist you might want to find in such a village. More like the ultimate “she-shed,” the rustic, whitewashed barn-like shop finds owner Tara Cappello happily creating one-of-a-kind arrangements for lucky recipients. Cappello specializes in unexpected blooms and specimen not found elsewhere that are sure to make your guests notice and ask where you found them.