Boston Shopping
Newbury Street...
is Boston's answer to L.A.'s Rodeo Drive or New York City's Fifth Avenue. One
of the city's most upscale areas, there's something for everyone, from the
chic designer shops (Chanel, Armani) that crowd the first block opposite the
Public Garden at Arlington Street to the giant Tower Record emporium at the
end of the eight-block stretch at Mass. Ave. In between are art galleries galore,
boutiques, more hair style salons per square foot than anywhere in the city,
sandwich shops to al fresco dining (with outdoor dining in fine weather), book
shops, antiques (Marcoz at 117 Newbury is an antique lover's heaven), and clothing
for both men (Louis at Berkley is a must see) and women. Whatever you're looking
for, you're bound to find it on this street - it's a real shopper's paradise.
You'll find many folks just strolling along and people watching, and it's fine
for that as well. But a visit to Boston is incomplete if you don't at least
visit Newbury Street. Call for a free up-to-date guide to the many shops located
there.
Newbury Street League
(617) 267-7961
Niketown...
While on Newbury Street you have to include a visit to this
most unusual sport shopping mecca -- nine thousand square feet of everything
Nike makes. You'll find just about everything for the sportsman, from
running shoes to golf equipment. The architecture alone is worth a
look-see. While Niketowns are sprouting up at urban locations throughout
the country, this is one of the first, and its interactive displays
and knowledgeable personnel will insure the right fit and the right
choice for anything sportsminded shoppers are looking for.
Niketown
200 Newbury (at Exeter)
(617) 267-2400
Gargoyles, Grotesques & Chimeras
A little different from some of the more uppity Newbury Street shops,
this is a collection of stone objects - gargoyles of all shapes and
sizes. There are also other unusual decorative items, including some
stained glass pieces, definitely for those who want to indulge their
darker side.
262 Newbury St.
(617) 536-2362
Annual High End Sale Event
One of the Hub's top retail emporiums, housed in a museum-like historic
building, is Louis. This high-end men's and women's
fashion showplace has few sales. Sales at Louis are very rare, so
when they do hold one, be there. One of their biggest is in mid July.
To find out exact dates, check their Web
site.
Two
separate stores for Bloomingdales in the tony Chestnut Hill Shopping
Mall
In the former Filene's location at suburban Chestnut Hill,the
famous Bloomingdale touch can be seen on either end of the Mall.
Their men's and home furnishing store remains as one of the mall's
anchors while the newly-opened and completely re-done women's fashion
store is home to a children’s department, Bloomingdale’s second Jimmy Choo boutique, and 41 other labels that are new to the Chestnut Hill location, including Missoni, Viktor & Rolf, Stella McCartney, La Perla and Longchamp.
The Mall is about 10 miles west of Boston, and is right on
Rte.9 in the Chesnut Hill area of Newton.
Downtown Crossing
Closed to traffic, there is a hectic hustle bustle here that almost feels like
like an open air market, yet, most of the shops are just that -- retail space
and bargains galore. Crowds of people scurrying the crossroads of Washington,
Winter and Summer Streets filled with eager shoppers looking for bargains at
the many retail establishments, including the most famous Filene's and its
must-see Original Basement store. Macy's is there, as well as a wide variety
of stores that range from Buck a Book to Crystal Fine Art Gallery, Foot Paths,
and even a Gap and Radio Shack, so you'll feel right at home. Bargain hunters
will also want to visit the Boston Jewelry Exchange, a building with 12 separate
jewelers offering a wide selection -- many at discount savings -- all in one
building. And when you're all shopped out, there are plenty of restaurants,
from high to low end, including Maison Robert, Silvertone, Felt, and some of
the newer chic eateries like Mantra, Blu and the most recent entry, Teatro
on Tremont Sreet. By the way, parking is nearly non-existent, so either cab
it or take the "T". Downtown Crossing is one block east of Boston Common.
Filene's Basement goes Uptown
The Boylston St. Filene's Basement is still keeping the famed
image alive in a much tonier spot. The
chic new space has a doorman out front, and as you enter on
Newbury, there's an escalator that takes you to the second floor where
marked down designer duds await - women's clothing, shoes, accessories,
plus home furnishings. From the Boylston Street entrance, you're smack
dab in the men's section which is also filled with marked down
name-brand items. The Basement has definitely gone upscale, but
bargains are still the key. The main entrance is in the New England
Life building at 497 Boylston. for more information: www.filenesbasement.com.
Prudential Center
Located between Boylston Street and Huntington Avenue in the heart of Back Bay,
adjacent to the Hynes Convention Center, major hotels, shopping and residential
areas, the 23- acre, 2.2 million square foot Prudential Center office and retail
complex features a variety of retail shops, restaurants and a food court. Major
shops and restaurants include Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, Club
Monaco, Lacoste, Jasmine Sola, Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, L'Occitane, Barnes
and Noble, Olympia Sports, J. Jill, Express Men, Talbot’s Kids,
Arden B., Legal Sea Foods, The Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen,
Top of the Hub, and more. Closest "T" public transit station: Green Line: Hynes Convention Center..
Prudential Shops
800 Boylston St.
Copley Place
Bordered by Dartmouth Street, Huntington Avenue, and South End Southwest corridor park,
and joined by enclosed footbridge to Prudential Center, Copley Place has, lots of dining, and two hotels, the Westin and Marriott within the same complex. The center features over 100 stores, with names like
Neiman-Marcus, Barney's, Gucci, Tiffany, J.Crew, A|X Armani Exchange, Boss Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Nine West, Enzo, St. Croix, Thomas Pink, Jaeger, and Williams-Sonoma. A dazzling mixed-use complex constructed above a maze of urban designed highways.
Closest "T" public transit station: Green Line: Copley. For a complete
listing of more stores call (617) 369-5000
100 Huntington Ave.
Shopping in the South End
There are lots of new shops in this burgeoning area of the city. Aside from
a plethora of restaurants, boutique clothing shops for men
and women, antiques and interior design, the section known as SoWA has
taken on a global feel with recent openings. There's Diseno
at 408 Harrison, featuring South American design, accompanied
by a Latin music station and coffee bar.
At 1134 Washington is Devi Home with India-inspired
designs and food. In the same area, is Lekker at 1317 Washington Street, featuring one-
of-a-kind European home accessories and international furniture.
Hotel Commonwealth Shops
The revitalized Kenmore Square area's newest hotel has become a shopping haven, luring
shoppers with special sales and refreshments the third Thursday of the month
through fall. Some of the shops: Fanny
and Delphine, (women's clothing and accessories from sleepwear
to career to evening), Persona
Jewelry (one of a kind fashion gems, hand printed stationary and
fabric handbags), and Temper
Chocolates (owner Caroline Yeh travels the world to find most
unusual chocolate producers to feature in her shop).
Hotel Commonwealth
500 Commonwealth Ave
(617) 532-5001
Deluca's...
This is not your ordinary food market, and if you're browsing Charles Street
(they are located almost at the corner of Charles and Beacon) stop and enter.
The friendly folks inside will guide you through the cramped quarters, where
fruit and delicacies are creatively displayed. This is "the shop" for
the Beacon Hill crowd and unusual delicacies abound . . . Fruit, groceries,
cheeses, pastries, breads; it's a true gourmet paradise, and has become in
itself a tourist attraction in the heavily-traveled Charles Street area.
De Lucca's
Charles Street, Boston
Something
Special for Jewelry Lovers
The artistry of Diana Greywing Sacco (Greywing) is readily
apparent in her unique Native American-inspired stone pendants and
amulets. Each piece is lovingly crafted using carefully-selected stones
that resonate with special meaning. Greywing's art is available only
through her Web
site, and you must see the large photos of the pieces, each accompanied
by an extensive narrative, to really appreciate both the talent and
the love of stones and nature that Greywing brings to her work.
Premium Outlets...
Outlet shopping is the newest fad to entice the bargain-wise shopper. New England
has a cluster of these less-than-retail name establishments. One of the most
famous is built around L.L. Bean in Freeport, Maine, the unique 24-hour,
7-day-a-week store that has gained world renown. Before you hit Freeport,
there is also outlet shopping at Kittery, Maine along Route 1. Two years
ago, in Worcester, MA (about 45 minutes west of Boston), the "Worcester
Common Outlets" opened and has become a regular stopover for the shopaholic.
Now the newest outlet, opened at the end of 1997, is located in Wrentham,
MA about half an hour south of Boston, toward Providence. All the famous
names are there: Barney's, Saks Off Fifth, Polo, The Gap, Big Dog, Versace,
Mikasa, and many, many more. Construction is still underway at this huge
tract of land halfway between Providence and Boston. If you're looking for
famous-name bargains, it's worth the trip.
Premium Outlets
Premium Boulevard
Wrentham ,MA
(508) 384-7077
Marika's...
On Charles Street, a street known for its high quality antique stores, this
establishment has been run by the same family for many years. From high quality
vases to paintings and furniture, Marika's reputation is unquestioned. Their
reputation for jewelry in particular (pocket watches, rings, jade and strands
of beads) brings in a regular clientele. Charles Street could be Boston's
answer to Soho in New York City; Its variety of establishments make it a
wonderful street to walk from Beacon all the way down to where the Charles
River comes into view.
Marika's
130 Charles Street
(617) 523-4520
New England Mobile Book Fair...
is like no other book store you've ever seen. Forget your
Barnes and Noble, your Borders, this is an adventure. With approximately
two acres of a sprawling warehouse to explore, you can lose yourself
for hours. Children's books are separated from adult books, you can
discover books by categories, if it is published, they have it.And
here's the best part - everything is 20 percent off! There's even a
special discount section with some certified treasures that are up
to 80 percent off list price. It's a bit of a schlep, but well worth
the trip. They're located in Newton Highlands- From Route 128, take
Exit 56 east for about one half mile and you're there. It is a book
lover's bonanza, and the only place of its kind anywhere.
New England Mobile Book Fair
82 Needham Street, Newton Highlands
(617) 964-7440
Goodspeed's Old South Branch...
This special branch of a venerable Boston book shop is located
in the basement of Old South Church. It's a treasure-trove of antiquarian
books. Pick up a rare gem, or browse among the bargain book tables.
They also carry maps. Open 9-5 M-F. Sat. 10-3. (Closed Saturdays July-Sept.)
Their main store is at 7 Beacon Street.
Goodspeed's
Milk and Washington St, Boston
(617) 523-5970
New Balance Factory Outlet...
Bostonians still do well with New Balance sneakers, and their
factory outlet has close-outs, samples, and some discontinued styles
at terrific savings- at least 30 percent below retail. Check out your
Reeboks, Nikes, etc., and give one of the area's home-grown products
a try.
New Balance Factory Outlet
61 North Beacon Street
(617) 782-0803
