Black Cat Curiosity Shoppe

The Black Cat Curiosity Shoppe in Salem is part store and part museum. It displays artifacts and curiosities drawn from history, film and television, and Salem’s own intriguing past, while the shelves offer an eclectic mix of mysterious objects, locally made artisan trinkets, curated Salem souvenirs and practical supplies for exploring the city. The shop invites visitors to begin their Salem adventure there and pitches a visit as an adventure in itself.

The concept takes its cue from Nathaniel Hawthorne, Salem’s most famous literary son, and his story A Virtuoso’s Collection, which imagines a museum of fantastical relics. The owners stress that the shop is not a witchcraft supply store, although it does stock items from, or inspired by, the folk traditions of many cultures. It describes itself as a place for explorers and adventurers of every creed rather than a representative of any one spiritual belief.

What to Know

• The shop jokingly claims to have been founded in 1313.
• Its tagline calls the owners purveyors of intriguing artifacts.
• The shoppe is listed by Destination Salem under gifts and souvenirs.