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Salumeria Italiana
Shelves stocked with extra virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar; cases crammed with cured meats, hard cheeses and olives of all shapes and sizes; boxes of pasta, jars of sauce: this little store is the archetype of North End specialty shops. Shopping tip: inquire about the Rubio aged balsamic vinegar made exclusively for the Salumeria Italiana by an artisan in Modena, Italy. It is the secret ingredient of many North End chefs.
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Sandy's Music
Bills itself as 'Cambridge's funkiest music shop.' Sandy is a quite a character: a DJ on the local folk radio program, self-proclaimed 'banjo maniac,' and purveyor of all things stringed, including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins, fiddles, basses, ukuleles and more. If you're into folk, stop by for the weekly Old Timey Jam ( Monday).
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Savenor's
Famous for catering to the likes of the legendary 'French Chef' Julia Child when she lived in Cambridge (technically, she shopped at the store's other location in Somerville). This gourmet shop is small, but packed to the brim with fancy selections of cheese, deli meats, freshly baked bread and pastries, fruit and vegetables.
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Schoenhof's Foreign Books
Since 1856, Schoenhof's has been providing Boston's foreign-language-speaking literati with reading material. Special booklists keep regulars abreast of new arrivals in their language of choice, whether it's scholarly or literary works, language instruction materials or children's books. If you are wondering which languages and dialects are available, the official count is over 700, so Schoenhof's probably has you covered.
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Second Time Around
This contemporary used-clothing shop is a gold mine of barely worn designer clothing (including lots of denim). Merchandise is all in perfect condition and no more than two years old. Come early and come often, because you never know what you're going to find; but you can be sure it will have designer label.
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Shops At Prudential Center
Back Bay's urban shopping center is home to many stores that you will recognize from your favorite mall back home. It also has two major department stores - Lord & Taylor and Saks Fifth Ave - and the requisite food court. Lest you forget you are not in Kansas anymore, let the elevator whisk you to the Skywalk Observatory on the 52nd floor .
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Simons Shoes
Simons carries only a few designers, but the styles are unique, eye-catching and - above all - easy on the feet. Specializes in Dansko (famous for their ultra-comfy clogs straight from Denmark) and Naot (an Israeli brand known for flexibility and flair).
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Society of Arts & Crafts
This prestigious nonprofit gallery was founded in 1897. With retail space downstairs and exhibit space upstairs, the society promotes emerging and established artists and encourages innovative handicrafts. The collection changes constantly, but you'll find high-quality weaving, leather, ceramics, glassware, furniture and other hand-crafted items.
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Sooki
Sooki's wide-ranging product line is hard to categorize. Distinctive fashions in bold colors. Chunky, funky jewelry and sleek Italian leather goods. Luxurious throws and pillows; interesting, exotic glassware. And this sleek boutique does not forget your four-legged friend: the all-encompassing store has decked out Boston's most fashionable dogs with its cool selection of sweaters and collars.
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South End Formaggio
Weave your way through this tiny store - past the shelves piled high with dry goods, past the eclectic selection of wines. Way in the back, you'll find what you're looking for: the cheese. The smallish case is virtually overflowing with artisinal cheeses: hard cheeses, soft cheeses, pungent cheeses, mild cheeses, spreadable cheeses, shredded cheeses.
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South End Open Market
Part flea market and part artists' market, this weekly outdoor event is a fabulous opportunity for strolling, shopping and people-watching. Over 100 vendors set up shop under white tents. It's never the same two weeks in a row, but there's always plenty of arts and crafts, as well as edgier art, vintage clothing, jewelry, antiques, local farm produce and homemade sweets.
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Stellabella Toys
If you would let them, kids could play all day at Stella Bella. Toys are strewn across the floor in the designated play area, and kids are busy building blocks, making music and reading books. Even parents can't keep from playing (the challenge is keeping them in the designated play area). Stella Bella is especially strong for creative and educational toys and games.
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Studio
The Studio has developed a devoted following for its always interesting but not-too-trendy fashions and its practical, down-to-earth advice. Women of all ages, shapes and sizes rave that the Studio helps them put together outfits that make them look and feel beautiful. What more do we want from our clothes?
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Super 88
The leading Asian supermarket chain in Boston specializes in exotic vegetables, tropical fruits and live seafood. Founded by a Vietnamese immigrant, Super 88 stores are successful because they appeal not only to Asian customers, but also Boston's diverse, food-loving population.
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Ten Thousand Villages
A unique nonprofit store, Ten Thousand Villages imports handicrafts from developing countries for a fair price, so you won't find any incredible bargains here. On the other hand, the craftsmanship on baskets, pottery and textiles is excellent, and you can rest easy knowing your purchase helps to pay for food, education, health care or housing for somebody who needs it.
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The Closet
For shoppers with an eye for fashion but without a pocketbook to match. The Closet (and it does feel like some fashion maven's overstuffed closet) is a second-hand clothing store that carries high-quality suits, sweaters, jackets, jeans, gowns and other garb by acclaimed designers. Most items are in excellent condition.
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Trident Booksellers & Cafe
Pick out a pile of books and retreat to a quiet corner of the café to decide which ones you really want to buy. You'll come away enriched, as Trident's stock tends toward New Age titles. But there's a little bit of everything here, as the 'hippie turned back-to-the-lander, turned Buddhist, turned entrepreneur' owners know how to keep their customers happy.
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Tutto Italiano
When they say 'tutto' they mean 'tutto.' All the products at this little grocery store are imported from Italy, including meats, cheeses, sauces and pastas. This little shop also carries a small selection of prepared salads and pasta dishes. Delectable frozen tortellini, ravioli and gnocchi tastes homemade.
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Uniform
Modish men no longer need to feel neglected. With its cool collection of men's casual wear, Uniform is catering to you and only you. Hot men looking good in hot fashions: it's very South End.
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V Cirace & Son, Inc
It's the third generation of the Cirace family that runs this North End institution. Established in 1906, V Cirace & Son carries an impressive selection of Italian wines and spirits. Other specialties include gift baskets and cigars - a veritable cornucopia of indulgences.
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Wild Goose Chase
The 'Wild Goose Chase' refers to the search for the perfect gift. If you can't find it here, it's certainly not for lack of options. The store specializes in American-made crafts and so-called Judaica (mezuzahs, menorahs and more). If all else fails, go for the luxuriously colorful slippers by Goody Goody - in silk, velvet and suede, whose feet wouldn't appreciate the indulgence?
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Windsor Button
Windsor Button has Boston's most extensive collection of buttons and yarn, as well as sewing and craft products. Designer buttons, hand-painted buttons, leather buttons, seashell buttons… not to mention a whole line of New England themed buttons (lighthouses, lobsters, swan boats, etc) - the perfect souvenir for sewers.
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Wine Bottega
A relative newcomer, the Wine Bottega has a large choice of wines packed into a small space. It's a delightful place to browse, though you'll face a challenge if you're looking for something specific. Ownership is enthusiastic about little-known wineries, so the selection is eclectic - perfect for the adventurous oenophile.
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Wish
Some skeptics complain about the more-fashionable-than-thou attitude, but others argue that does not detract from the way-cool women's wear at Wish. Snazzy suits and sweaters by top-end designers have price tags to match; the dress selection is superb so it's a nice place to splurge on a special occasion gown.
