Shopping in New England
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Filene's Basement
Boston loves Filene’s Basement so much that, when the building was being demolished, rebuilt and converted into condos, it was scheduled to move back into its original space in the basement. Now that’s a city that hangs on to its history. There is another newer store in the Back Bay, but purists still go to Downtown Crossing.
reviewed
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Hudson
Blending vintage and modern is all the rage, and Hudson pulls it off without a hitch, throwing a faux zebra pillow on an antique rocking chair, or lining up colored-glass seltzer bottles on a slick, stark sidebar. Funky, chunky lamps and charming children’s blankets are all part of the repertoire. The wide assortment of cowhide rugs is an unexpected treat.
reviewed
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Trident Booksellers & Café
Pick out a pile of books and retreat to a quiet corner of the cafe 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.
reviewed
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Closet, Inc
For shoppers with an eye for fashion but without a pocketbook to match. Closet, Inc (and it does feel like some fashion maven’s overstuffed closet) is a secondhand clothing store that carries high-quality suits, sweaters, jackets, jeans, gowns and other garb by acclaimed designers. Most items are less than two years old and in excellent condition.
reviewed
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Clothware
When Clothware started way back when, it produced its own original line of clothing. These days, the boutique carries a variety of designers, but it remains true to the fashion ideals that won over its loyal customers: vibrant colors, clean lines and durable fabrics. This is fashion for notoriously unfashionable Cantabrigians, who value comfort over cool.
reviewed
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Parlor
The selection of supercool duds and hot name brands receives rave reviews all around, but it’s the friendly fashion advice patrons receive that makes Parlor so popular. Regulars agree that these girls know their stuff, and they want you to know it too. Parlor’s alluring outfits feature their favorite designers from New York and Los Angeles.
reviewed
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Local Charm
These days, Quincy Market is packed with chain stores that you can find anywhere in America. Wouldn’t it be nice to experience a little local charm? This tiny jewelry boutique delivers, offering up exquisite things with sterling silver and gemstones. The jewelry is tasteful yet artful, interesting yet unique. Best of all, it’s handmade by local artisans.
reviewed
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Fresh Market
Come for the amazing local cheese selection, 21 flavors of olives, and beautifully prepared foods such as enormous sandwiches, sushi, pies and salads. This mid-sized, bustling health-food grocer a five-minute walk south of the town center offers a tiny produce department and gourmet items, making it the place to stock up for a picnic or a gourmet feast.
reviewed
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Murray’s Toggery Shop
Dress like a native with cotton clothing from Murray’s Nantucket Reds collection – pale red shirts and shorts that trace their origins back to sailcloth. The shop itself dates to the 19th-century merchant RH Macy, who opened his first store here before heading off to New York and establishing the now-famous Macy’s department store.
reviewed
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Looney Tunes
Looney Tunes claims a rotating collection of hundreds of thousands of records. They are not all packed into this tiny store near Berklee School of Music (though it feels like it) – it has a huge stock of items in storage. All records are graded, so you know the condition of the product. Also carries CDs and DVDs.
reviewed
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Eugene Galleries
This tiny shop has a remarkable selection of antique prints and maps, especially focusing on old Boston. Follow the history of the city’s development by examining 18th- and 19th-century maps; witness the filling-in of Back Bay and the greening of the city. Historic prints highlight Boston landmarks, making for excellent old-fashioned gifts.
reviewed
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Mach’s General Store
Heading north along VT 30 from Dorset, you’ll pass through the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it village of Pawlet. Stop at the fine old-fashioned Mach’s General Store, which generates its electricity from an adjacent stream passing through a gorge. You can see all this from inside the store, thanks to a glass counter.
reviewed
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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 (20:00 Monday).
reviewed
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Magic Beans
Both kids and parents agree that Magic Beans is a well-stocked, super-fun toy store. Both kids and parents appreciate the selection of wooden toys, educational toys and creative toys. Both kids and parents like the designated play area. But only parents rave about the selection of strollers, which is apparently among the best in the city.
reviewed
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Red Wagon & Pixie Stix
If you want your little tykes to look as good as you do, stop by the Red Wagon for unique, stylish kids' clothing. Upstairs, Pixie Stix caters to ‘tweens’ – that awkward age between kid and teenager – doing so with cuteness and coolness. With bright colors and bold patterns, these fun fashions will appeal to both parent and child.
reviewed
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Cambridge Antique Market
This old brick warehouse in East Cambridge looks foreboding from the outside, but inside is an antiquer’s paradise. With more than 150 dealers on five floors, Cambridge Antique Market is a trove of trash and treasures. The constant turnover of dealers lends a flea-market feel, guaranteeing that you never know what you will find.
reviewed
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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 weaving, leather, ceramics, glassware, furniture and other hand-crafted items.
reviewed
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Pod
Befitting of its tiny space, Pod celebrates the art of minimalism. Organic lotions and body oils. Cotton towels and sheets in soft textures and soothing hues. Candles and incense giving off enticing aromas. There is a wide variety of goods - including women's and children's clothing - but the common theme is its simplicity and purity.
reviewed
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Riccardi
Fresh from Florence in 1978, Riccardo Dallai showed up on Newbury St and introduced Boston to European fashion. Ever since, his store has attracted Boston’s hippest and hottest, who appreciate the ultra-cool-but-casual designs. Dallai’s other store on-site is Relic, featuring more affordable, more denim-focused modes.
reviewed
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Bob Slate Stationer
This old-fashioned, family-owned stationery shop is packed with pens, pencils and paper, as well as gift wrap, greeting cards and art supplies. It’s been around since the 1930s, catering to Harvard students and other Cambridge writers and artists. Two additional, smaller stores are on Church St and Massachusetts Ave near Porter Sq.
reviewed
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Brattle Book Shop
Since 1825, the Brattle Book Shop has catered to Boston’s literati: it's a treasure trove crammed with out-of-print, rare and first-edition books. Ken Gloss – whose family has owned this gem since 1949 – is an expert on antiquarian books, moonlighting as a consultant and appraiser (see him on Antiques Roadshow!). Don't miss the bargains on the outside lot.
reviewed
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North Star Cyclery
Head to this friendly, laid-back local favorite for an unusually complete selection of clothing, gear and bikes specifically designed for women. Don’t worry, guys; there’s plenty here for you too. For winter fun, it offers Nordic skis, snowshoes and outerwear. It’s open for slightly longer hours in the summer.
reviewed
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Homer’s Variety
At this old-school convenience store on Church St, you can buy doughnuts (a handwritten sign proclaims ‘this is a magic donut machine’) or some gumballs from the oversized dispenser. The real draw, however, is the homemade ice-cream in five flavors (including tiramisu and chocolate) plus some otherworldly lemon ice.
reviewed
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Good
This tiny boutique might be intimidating, but call up your courage and go on inside. The custom-designed jewelry is nothing short of exquisite, while other gift items range from extraneous (agarwood-scented votive candle, $38) to exotic (embossed lizard handbag, $395). And one other ex- word springs to mind. Browsing is encouraged.
reviewed
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Harvard Bookstore
Family-owned and operated since 1932, the Harvard Bookstore is not officially affiliated with the university, but it is the university community’s favorite place to come to browse. While the shop maintains an academic focus, there is plenty of fiction for the less lofty, as well as used books and bargain books in the basement.
Harvard Bookstore hosts author talks and other interesting lectures, often in conjunction with Cambridge Forum.
reviewed