1. Restoration Resources
City: Boston, MA
Category: Shopping
Address: 1946 Washington St.
Description: Architectural salvage is what recycling is all about. Anyone who owns an old house or wants to add character to a newer home will love browsing this sprawling space that stocks hundreds of one-of-a-kind pieces including mantels, claw-foot tubs, garden statuary, leaded stained-glass windows, doors of every type, and smaller items like antique crystal door knobs. Open Tues through Sat and Mon by appointment.
2. Trident Booksellers & Cafe
City: Boston, MA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (617) 267-8688
Address: 338 Newbury St.
Description: Located at the “low rent” end of Newbury Street, this bookstore/cafe is one of Boston’s best-loved independent bookstores. Recently expanded—the store took over the building’s second floor—it has increased its offerings to include more new releases and a larger children’s book department. The store is a popular gathering space for locals and visitors, but it’s a little frenetic; the cafe serves eclectic eats (with inexpensive tabs) and is always packed. The store offers free Wi-Fi, lots of author events (author signings, trivia nights), and long hours (it’s open daily until midnight).
3. Haymarket
City: Boston, MA
Category: Shopping
Address: Along Blackstone Street
Description: Scruffy and chaotic, Haymarket offers dirt-cheap fruits and vegetables ($1 a pound is a common price) alongside a slice of local life. Located between Faneuil Hall and the North End, this historic open-air market has operated here since the 1830s. Good things to know: It’s open Fri and Sat (year-round) from dawn to dusk, it’s cash only, and don’t touch the produce (or else the vendor will yell at you).
4. Louis
City: Boston, MA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (617) 262-6100
Address: 60 Northern Ave.
Description: Pronounced “Louie’s,” this Boston mainstay since the late 1800s has been the city’s benchmark for sophisticated department store shopping. Recently relocated to a modern waterfront space in the burgeoning Seaport District, the store buzzes with excitement displaying fashion for men and women by some of the design world’s most promising talents, including Marni and Proenza Schouler. Not to be overlooked are the cosmetics department and lots of edgy and funky must-haves in the accessories department. Even if you don’t buy anything, patronize the store’s excellent top-floor restaurant, Sam’s, for lunch, dinner, or drinks with a view.
5. Lester Harry’S
City: Boston, MA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (617) 927-5400
Address: 115 Newbury St.
Description: Grandparent alert! The gorgeous, pricey clothing at this children’s boutique is unusual enough to be special, but not weird. Lester Harry’s stocks infant to size 14 clothing for girls and boys, including styles by Petit Bateau, Lili Gaufrette, and the Milly Mini line. You’ll also discover unusual gifts not found in the average toy store, such as wood ride-ons and handmade fabric mobiles.
6. Maria’S Pastry
City: Boston, MA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (617) 523-1196
Address: 46 Cross St.
Insider Pick:
Description: This simple, unpretentious shop is a destination for those looking for the finest cannoli in the North End. Here, the light, crisp shells are filled to order with a not-too-sweet mixture of ricotta. Another pastry associated with Maria’s is sfogliatelle, a flaky shell-shaped pastry filled with orange-scented ricotta. Unlike at the better-known North End pastry shops (Mike’s and Modern), there’s never a line here. But because there are just a few seats inside and out, your best bet is to take your pastry and coffee to the cafe table at North End Park (at New Sudbury and North Street) across the street.
7. New Balance Factory Store
City: Boston, MA
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (617) 779-7429
Address: 40 Life St.
Insider Pick:
Description: Buying local at its best, New Balance is the only sneaker manufacturer still making shoes in the US, with several factories in New England. The Massachusetts-based athletic footwear company offers marked-down sneakers from past seasons and discontinued models at this factory store in Brighton, next to its company headquarters. You’ll also find New Balance athletic clothing and running accessories, all at a hefty discount.