Husband and wife duo Edward and Sharon S. Mazze own Pier Marketplace’s beloved bookstore, stationery and gift shop, Curiosity & Mischief. Sharon gives us the scoop on the store and its prime proximity to Narragansett’s beach loving bookworms.
How long have you been in Narragansett?
We’ve owned the store for six years. I used to work as a sales representative for manufacturers of gift items, greeting cards and stationery. For eight years, I represented 45 different lines of products. I’ve also owned retail stores in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Edward is a Distinguished University Professor of Business Admin- istration and the former Dean of the School of Business at URI.
What’s in the name, Curiosity & Mischief?
What books are beachgoers diving into this year?
We carry a wide variety of local history books on Narragansett and Rhode Island. Other summer selections include Prague Winter by Madeleine Albright, The Obituary Writer by Rhode Island writer Ann Hood and Citizens of London by Lynne Olson.
You carry a wide selection of local products. Give us some of your customers’ favorites.
We have pictures, photographs, crafts, books and gift items from Rhode Island and the New England area. Customer favorites include photographs of Narragansett taken by both Elaine Stannard and Marc Stuart, prints of historic sites around Rhode Island and other New England villages by graphic artist Donna M. Ives, and books by Rock Village Publishing detailing interesting historical events in Rhode Island.
What do you love most about Pier Marketplace in the summer?
Pier Marketplace provides us with an opportunity to see long-time customers who come to Narragansett seasonally and newcomers visiting for the day. Outside of the summer months, Pier Marketplace remains busy with weddings, conventions and visitors to URI. We’re working on making Pier Marketplace a year-round shopping experience for Narragansett residents, Rhode Islanders and day-trippers from Connecticut and Massachusetts
Do you host any summertime events?
Every so often we have authors and artists come in to sign their works. Throughout the year, our store serves as a place where customers become friends and share stories of Narragansett’s history.
What are some of your customer’s favorite gift items?
Some favorite gift items are the Byers’ Choice Carolers, Demdaco gift items, Screencraft coasters and magnets of local historical landmarks, Carruth Studio’s garden plaques and Helen Eddy greeting cards, along with our Quotable Journals Palm Press products.
What books are on your summer must-read list?
Summer must-read list includes The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar and Sandcastle Girls by Chris Bohjalian.
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