before ben, before jerry - View this location on map 'Wander down Main Street, stopping for whatever looks interesting. This might include Herrell's (413-586-9700), a sometime center of the high-butterfat ice cream wars of the 1980's and 1990's. Herrell's leads right into Thorne's Marketplace, a smorgasbord of busy boutiques that will either catch your interest or send you fleeing back to the slightly less crowded sidewalks. A few doors down, you will find R. Michelson Galleries (132 Main Street, 413-586-3964), an immense place with an almost dizzying range of works by local artists, some nationally known. There's also a wide selection of original children's book illustrations at the back on the second floor, if you're looking for that perfect little collectible to hang on Junior's wall. Then drop by Gallery TK, (114 Main Street; no telephone) a tiny place founded by a group of students to give their fellow artists a place to struggle in public.'' New York Times 8 Old South Street, Northampton, MA Shopping, Kids, Local spot

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