'Closed' Signs, Fall Colors Appear On Martha's Vineyard

As a steady September rain fell on Edgartown Harbor Monday afternoon, lunch patrons at the Atlantic restaurant filled the dining porch, which was protected from the elements by a clear plastic curtain.

But while the Atlantic was busy, one block away on Dock Street McPhail's Corner Café was closed for the season already.


"THANKS FOR A GREAT SEASON," reads a sign on the coffee shop's front door. "SEE YOU IN MAY."

Welcome to the "shoulder season" on Martha's Vineyard, when some businesses are still going strong while others are scaling back or closing down.

Cronig's, Stop & Shop and many Island restaurants have moved to earlier closing times post-Labor Day.

And virtually every Island apparel shop is having some kind of sale, as retailers seek to clear their store shelves for fall inventory or prepare to close for the winter.

The natural landscape is also showing signs of fall, with sweet autumn clematis spreading its white blanket over roadsides and fences and some trees' leaves changing color.

Yet another unmistakable marker of the season is the Derby, which is underway now. You'll never see so many people fishing these waters at the same time.

What signs of fall have you observed on Martha's Vineyard? Tell us in the comments.

(Posted from Edgartown using the new Patch app. Have you tried it yet?)