MILFORD

It might be because it’s Christmastime, but Milford feels like a real winter wonderland – Bedford Falls at the end of It’s A Wonderful Life kind of vibes. There was a definite electricity in the air on a recent Saturday visit, even upon driving into the city limits. A word of praise here for Milford: the abundance of free street parking was most welcome. And honestly, a real load off one’s mind. Not worrying about hustling back to the meter or opening a parking app during a carefree excursion was a nicety too often taken for granted.

Speaking of parking, take advantage of the abundance of spots a block or two away from Main Street, to appreciate the new builds, including rows of nice-looking condos, on the way to the main thoroughfare. There are lots of cool spots – businesses, retail, restaurants, breweries – off Main Street, but starting there, with the bulk of Milford businesses, is the best way to get a slice of the city.

Milford’s effervescent charm will surprise you. Not fifteen minutes after arriving, while poking around inside a store called Scintilla’s Creations, the unmistakable sound of a trombone came from outside. A throng of shoppers ventured outside to witness the spectacle, beckoned by a little brass band that serenaded all of Main Street in front of Rivers Roads and Trails, a store whose purpose is self-explanatory.

Speaking of stores. Retail dominates the Main Street thoroughfare – from appliance repair to Bill’s Lamp Shop, the endless record selection at Spiral Groove to the beautiful oil and watercolor works at Painted River Gallery to the whimsy and charm of Enchanted Moments, there really is something for everyone.

First, it doesn’t hurt to caffeinate. A brass-band-observer suggested stopping into Old Milford Parlor. Another opportunity for utter delight came upon setting foot in this former barber shop-turned-ice-cream-parlor. The decor is vintage fun: a collection of old license plates, a massive JFK election poster, an old barber chair and antique cash register and a lifesize Santa, in a nod to the holiday. Old Milford Parlor has a nice selection of milk alternatives, like oat milk and almond milk, and if you’re in the mood for a cold ice cream treat, there are plenty of options there, too.

After procuring a beverage, let the holiday spirit guide you on your saunter down Main Street. Some other charming notes were found in the form of large paper snowflakes on the Old Milford Parlor windows, an address that read 129 ½ Main Street, and a holiday train display in the window of McCarthy Stevenot Insurance.

Now, on Saturdays, this unassuming insurance agency transforms into Nancy McCarthy’s art studio, and what a treat that is. Her lovely photographs and prints are intermingled, on subjects that run the gamut from a photograph of a honeybee suspended in midair to a painting of a formerly feral Turkish Van cat reclining on the back of a couch.

If you take a left out of the agency and keep going, you’ll pass Row House Gallery Custom Framing (they’ll even digitize old cassettes and tapes!) before you come upon Spiral Groove Records.

Formerly housed on nearby Lila Avenue, Spiral Groove moved to Main Street in 2018 and is the definition of thriving. Upon entering, you’ll be presented with an impeccable array of record players – a great set-up, really, for the entire shopping experience, because without a record player, how can you play any of the records that take up the bulk of the store? The whole backroom is filled with genre-categorized records, but not in a prescriptive way. Billy Squier albums are tucked in near Tame Impala’s latest record. Basically, Spiral Groove is as unpretentious a record store as you could ask for. There’s also a great selection of cheap CDs – remember those? – and cassettes. It’s a fun way to spend the day, flipping through the greatest hits and groups of yesteryears.

But! Time waits for no one. Peel yourself away from Spiral Groove and keep heading down Main Street and you’ll pass LeiMarie Limited, Ms. Cheri’s Donuts, Chappy’s Bar and Grill, the Governor and Chez Renee. Cross the street here and you’ll pass the Fountain Specialist – never was there such an eclectic collection of water accessories. There’s also a surprisingly robust collection of art galleries to be found on Main Street, including Painted River Art Studio. Stop on in and chat with proprietor Nancy Achberger, whose primary medium is oil, but she’s got a nice selection of watercolors, too. You can take lessons at Painted River, or pick up a great piece for a holiday gift for someone special. Artist Kate O’Connell Albert also has her photorealistic work on display and available for purchase.

So that thing about time – it was indeed in short supply on this particular visit to Main Street. After tearing yourself away from the lovely art at Painted River, head back up Main Street to scope out the rest of this particular spread of shops. Stop in Enchanted Moments – in business for 17 years! – to buy something eclectic and special for the astrology-obsessed friend or family member in your life. Or pick up some loose-leaf tea, or essential oils, or crystals, or ornaments, or – well, you get the picture. The selection is wild. Be prepared to spend a good chunk of time – that fleeting mistress! – in Enchanted Moments. (There’s definitely a time-related pun in here but it can wait….did it again!)

More clothing and gift shops dot this part of Main Street, including One Stop Ladies Shop, Made New and Primitives & More Milford. And then suddenly you’ll be standing in front of Rivers Roads and Trails, which is a haven for all levels of outdoorsy types.

From kayaks to wool socks, roof tents to hiking boots, Rivers Roads and Trails is jam-packed with every item possible for every activity possible that occurs in Mother Nature. The staff is very attentive, nice and helpful – a real retail-in-a-small-town kind of vibe. It’s that personalized focus that makes a repeat customer, and to be quite honest, Milford’s Main Street stores seem designed to build a loyal following.

There are tons of opportunities for charm all over Main Street. Be sure to check out the booths at the Mercantile Mall – there’s a vintage Cincinnati Ballet poster for sale, as of December 11! – and Villa Sanctuary – a gift shop-slash-jewelry store – as well as more restaurants and residences.

Whatever season you stop by, Milford is absolutely worth your time.

THESE  BUSINESS DISTRICTS ARE COMING TO THE FOREFRONT