Yankee Ingenuity

The Cape, and Chatham in particular, is full of these small artsy kind of stores that sell, let’s be honest, expensive crap.
This is not another store like that.
It’s pretty funky and sells things that will make you smile and maybe even laugh. No, it’s nothing you absolutely need but stuff that’s kind of clever, fun and interesting.
It’s a small place overflowing with what I’ll loosely call «stuff». It’s not easy to describe what they sell. You really need to just go in and check it out. You might not buy anything but it’s worth a visit if you’re in the area.
The stuff isn’t cheap but nothing is hideously expensive either, especially when you figure you’re not likely to find stuff like this anywhere else.
It’s a great place to buy gifts for the oddball in your life. Or maybe you ARE the oddball in your life, in which case you’ll love this place.

My dad, sister and I stopped to check this place out earlier today. The staff are great, the prices reasonable and the products excellent! I highly recommend it as a mandated stop for those vacationing on Cape Cod!

Daunting array of trinkets and gifts in such a small space! I spent an hour here loading up on holiday gifts and likely wasn’t as intensive as I could. Loads of local art options and some tourist ya ya to keep lights on but overall worthy.

Mix of fads, jewelry, and gift items. Good for an impulse purchase or a unique birthday gift.

I love this store for gifts and jewelry. The prices are very reasonable and the staff is really nice. We have too many gift shops in Chatham — if we only had two, I would choose here and Mermaids on Main.

In a sea of tourist artsy stores with all the same jewerly and art, Yankee Ingenuity brings you back to what a catch all store should be. There a little bit of everything here — jewelry, kitchen gadgets, art, clothing, and a little bit of humor. All of that and the prices are reasonable.
While from the outside it looks almost like a thrift store and the inside is not as bright as the other stores on the main drag, the originality and charm of the place wins out. It’s one of those places that you know that the you were not able to see everything — a reason to return.

I rarely buy anything at Yankee Ingenuity, bcs it’s a little out of my price range. But that doesn’t mean this isn’t a great store to browse! Wild eccentricity, Chatham-​style! Which is to say: this isn’t where you go shopping for a bachelorette party, but it’s a great place to get a gift for someone who prefers a little more than a coffee cup that says «Chatham, Mass» on it.
There’s a healthy mix of touristy gifts and just beautiful pieces that aren’t Cape-​specific. Layout is tight, and the store gets crowded in the summer, and there is enough breakable stuff around that I would say… well, you know your kids. You decide if it’s appropriate for them to go in.
This year, I did actually make a purchase. I found a photo of a sunset reflected in a fisherman’s shanty that just… really caught my eye! The bigger size was $ 65, which was too much for me. But then I saw they had smaller prints, maybe 8×10ish. I found the same photo there, and was willing to shell out $ 35 for it.
I’ve never bought a photographic print before, so here’s to Yankee Ingenuity for having just the right thing!

Hands down, my very favorite store in the entire world. I can remember coming here as a child and spending lots of time staring at the shiny jewelry cases, and random trinkets. As an adult, I still find myself drawn to this store and I can’t help but buy something every time I stop by. If you only go to one store in downtown Chatham this should be it. Pick out a print to remember your vacation, a pair of wampum earrings and a couple artisan postcards and you’ll be on your way.
It isn’t a trip to Cape Cod without a stop at Yankee Ingenuity.

One of the greatest shops in the entire world. I’ve been coming here for decades every time my family came to the cape and I always love just walking around. I spent way too much time right here in Yankee Ingenuity.
Which is strange, mind you, because it’s not that big a store. But they have it filled with unique items, decorations, and stuff for the home. You’ll find wild statues and unique jewellery and damn cool artistic knives and cards and plates and stuff that you’re not quite sure what it is, but damn if it isn’t cool.
Funky. The word to describe this place would be funky. Cool and funky. Cool and funky and amazing.
The best part of Yankee Ingenuity (and what sets it apart at five stars) are the price of the items. Although many of this stuff is homemade or really unique in a very touristy part of Cape Cod, it’s not overly expensive. Some items are downright cheap. The price tags are never hard to find and you never feel like you’re paying more than it’s worth.
Need a special gift for someone (or just something for yourself). Here. Try here. You’ll find something without a doubt.

Liked all the stuff I bought there and very reasonable prices. Their pewter ornaments i.e. starfish, whale tale, scallop etc. are $ 6 less than a shop in Wellfleet and they are the very same thing. I also got a pretty dragonfly pin and some earrings. Lots of neat stuff in there.

Something for everybody!!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, this place. Just bring your Christmas shopping list to this place and you will cross everyone off your list. Friendly and efficient, the staff has it down. I love this place. Do yourself a favor… shop here… please.

Such a cute store. The handmade jewelery, housewares, scarves… really, a total «tourist trap» but the prices were totally reasonable. And ditto the previous reviewer… you think you are there t window shop, but you’ll ultimately find something you like and in your budget. I went in to kill time and came out with a scarf for $ 11.

Such an awesome little shop– we come here for any kinds of gifts we need and if we are looking for something unique! They have amazing jewelry (a lot of which is made by local artists). I always find some kind of trinket or funny item to purchase. If you are bringing small children, be sure to keep them close– there are as many expensive glass items as there are children’s toys.
Definitely make this stop while in downtown Chatham!

Have you ever walked into a shop and knew that you were going to spend hours in there and possibly not buy anything but for the sake of exploration you meandered your way through it? This defines Yankee Ingenuity. Locally made items sold in a little shop on Main street in downtown Chatham.
The items range from burlesque statues to sea glass jewelry. From yoga posed skeletons carved from elk horns to local photographs of the surrounding area.
There is something for everyone at this store, whether they know it or not. Metal work, glass work, zany clocks and small glass boxes. Lawn ornaments, home decorations, sea grass purses and more This place is a dream for anyone with a short attention span disorder.

I love this shop and make sure to stop by whenever I’m in Chatham.
It’s a small shop filled with beautiful hand made crafts: jewelry, gift items, etc.
My mother-​in-​law gifted a sushi serving set purchased here to me for my birthday a few years ago.
I love their jewelry selection and see something different every time I stop in.
The prices are reasonable, so be warned that if you come in to window shop, you may walk away with a purchase after all.

A store filled with beautiful, interesting things that takes window shopping to new heights. Yankee Ingenuity has an eclectic assortment of objects — what they all have in common is that each is a little treasure. From fancy glass barrettes to garden gnomes to lamps, you will inevitably find something you *must* have. The prices are actually lower than you might expect for a lot of the items, especially jewelery.

This is my favorite gift shop. I usually go for a visit once a month or so. Always see new things. Selection, quality, and price are all outstanding.

Amazing store with some beautiful and fun novelty items! The store is small but packed full of everything from lovely jewelry, to fun cards, cool etched glass, artwork, and other random fun items. May of the items were reasonably priced and worth the price tag. It’s a great store for browsing or finding unique gifts.
I could have spent lots of time in Yankee Ingenuity but thankfully the members of my group saved me (and my wallet) from spending the entire afternoon in there =

I love this store and stop in every time I visit town. It has a wide variety of art and gift items and photography etc. It has the neatest items not found anywhere! Awesome Nick nacks, jewelry and sculptures. Great place to stop in!

Cute store with a good variety of gift/​novelty items. Unique cards and dishes.