Hidden charms

Construction has changed the face of downtown, but cool shops and eateries can still be found

Destination : Bel Air

The majority of items are from the '20s to the '50s. Costume jewelry is a specialty.

"Collectibles sell better in this area" than serious antiques, owner Susan Young says.

302 N. Main St., 410-588-5828

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11:45 a.m. Natural Gatherings

Backtrack to the center of town to get to Natural Gatherings. This unusual shop is a good example of a hobby that turned into a business. Rick Barger liked to garden; his wife, Jane, enjoyed creating interesting wreaths and arrangements out of dried flowers and found objects. Eventually, they opened a charming shop filled with her creations.

Natural Gatherings also sells rustic furniture and country-chic gifts and home accessories such as handcrafted bird houses and the mirrors Rick has made from old window frames. The furnishings are shown off to their best advantage in a couple of showrooms that are fragrant with candles and potpourri.

106 N. Main St., 410-838-0031

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12:15 p.m. Pamella & Rose

This store, formerly the Bel Air Country Store, has just changed its name after major renovations. Owner Pamela Peacher (one "L" in spite of how the store's name is spelled) felt the old name didn't convey the sophistication of the home accessories, unusual gifts and European country furnishings she sells. In other words, the store is country, but upscale country.

This is one of Main Street's oldest shops. (It's all of 17 years old.) Peacher says these days her focus is on American artisans.

If you buy nothing else, at least pick up one of the wonderful candles to take home.

100 N. Main St., 410-638-1181

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12:45 p.m Bel Air Antiques etc.

From the sublime to the fun and funky, this small antiques co-op is filled with the wares of four dealers. (One of them is usually around to help out.) There are several rooms to browse through. While the offerings are mostly collectibles, who knows? You might come up with a serious treasure.

54 N. Main St., 410-838-9230

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1:15 p.m Tiger Lily

You have time for one more stop before a late lunch. Tiger Lily is as close to cutting edge as you'll find on Main Street, and at the same time fun with a touch of preppy. The clothes appeal to everyone from young high school girls to their moms.

Tiger Lily carries Eliza B., Free People, Kensie Girl and !iT Jeans, as well as Pandora jewelry and Troll beads. (Not to worry. If you're young enough to wear them, you know what they are. Otherwise, buy them for your favorite niece.)