Grandma always meant so well.

You’d go for a visit and leave with a year’s supply of pantyhose. And yet another set of glasses from The Showboat Casino — which you’d take in a heartbeat over one more afghan from her Flags of the World series. (This is what years of sitting through The Price Is Right earned you?)

Cadia Vintage is not your grandmother’s basement. It’s more like Martha Stewart’s grandmother’s basement, with a little of Gwyneth Paltrow’s Nana mixed in, which somehow makes for a Norman Rockwell-goes-to-Italy atmosphere.

The tiny, little-known North End shop sells pieces from estate sales nationwide: everything from gloves and gorgeous old handbags to antique toys, ’50s flatware, and a collection of vintage Pyrex. Prices are family discount-inspired, and the personal attention from friendly shopkeepers is just as warm.

All that, and no one forcing you to have another oatmeal cookie.

Come to think of it, that Union Jack afghan might be worth something someday.

Candia Vintage, 148 Salem Street (617-742-1203 or cadiavintage.com).