Louis Boston
You know who you are—your entire wardrobe is made up of this-season separates (or you wish it were). In either case, you already know about Louis Boston, the big daddy of Boston clothing emporia and a perennial favorite in the category of one-stop shopping. Louis has cornered the local fashion market with its warehouse-size collection of designer labels from Marni and Helmut Lang to Brioni and Loro Piana, not to mention an impressive shoe selection that includes Miu Miu, Tretorn, and everything in between. The makeup counter is equally expansive, stocking such sought-after lines as Pout (sold here exclusively) and Alchemy. With a salon, café, men's department, and new vintage photo gallery, it's a week's worth of shopping under one roof. 234 Berkeley St., Boston, MA louisboston.com.
Louis Boston
Here is where to head when you want to dress like the models in Esquire and GQ. Doing so ain't cheap, mind you, but the expert and generally courteous staff will steer you toward top-notch renditions of whatever look you're seeking. The specialized heme rooms—like the Corner Office, Paddock by Kiton, Helmut Lang, On-the-Road with Gianluca Isaia, etc.—make the large selection a bit more manageable. And while it may be a trifle difficult to imagine Jack Kerouac walking into the one named for his beat masterpiece and dropping $195 on a button-down black shirt, that doesn't mean you won't be sorely tempted to. 234 Berkeley St., Boston, MA louisboston.com.
Louis Boston
Buyer Debi Greenberg scours the globe to find the in fashion for men and women alike. Her Back Bay store is known the world over for its incredible timing, with many design darlings of the fashion press finding their way onto its floors before they hit the big time. The store caters to a wide variety of ages, from street fashion on the ground floor to power suits on the second and third levels, and a mix of women's wear designers from Kiton to Imitation of Christ. There's also an extensive and cutting-edge makeup counter, Salon Mario Russo, and a top-notch restaurant. 234 Berkeley St., Boston, MA louisboston.com.
Louis Boston
Photograph by Bob O'Connor When Debi Greenberg moved Louis from the Back Bay to Fan Pier, skeptics said her chic clientele wouldn't follow. They did. They come for blazers, sleek bags, and statement jewelry from Marni, Proenza Schouler, and Balenciaga, but also to discover rising style stars from around the world, expertly vetted by Greenberg (British wunderkind Thomas Tait is a recent addition). And for those of us who can't make daily trips to the waterfront, Louis now has a 200-square-foot accessories store inside the Mandarin Oriental. 60 Northern Ave., Boston, MA 2110, louisboston.com.
Boston Interiors
The problem with mega-furniture stores is that everything tends to look the same. Boston Interiors, however, offers such a wide variety that you actually can create that it-came-together-over-the-decades look in one shopping trip. Bonus: Most of the stock can be procured in custom fabrics and finishes. 31 Boylston St., Brookline Village, MA 2445, bostoninteriors.com.
BostonCoach
The driving force behind Boston's corporate power brokers is, literally, this professional and prompt company. Drivers are consistently courteous but not too chatty, and always arrive at their destinations a few minutes early (though they won't ring the bell until the precise designated pickup moment). The fleet of high-quality, immaculately clean vehicles includes Volvo sedans, buses, and vans, many with well-treated leather interiors and fully stocked with periodicals such as the Wall Street Journal. 69 Norman St., Everett, MA bostoncoach.com.
Louis Boston
A double winner here. The four-story style mecca is the arbiter of quality men's fashion for both those who are looking to stand out from the crowd and those who are classic and cautious. You'll find Italian made-to-measure masters, standard faves like Ralph Lauren's purple label, and Louis' own line. Fashion-timid men may require some education— not to mention a platinum credit card— but Louis' staff are masters in the art of dressing. 234 Berkeley St., Boston, MA .
Louis Boston
For all the obvious reasons. Even if you can't afford to shop there regularly, the experience is worth a visit. 234 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA .
Buns of Boston
We love their scones, their sticky buns, and their cinnamon rolls, but it's the macaroons that make us swoon. 45 Kenneth Street, Newton, MA .
Boston Proper
Given the plush decor and the nightly jazz entertainment, it's a shame this place hasn't taken off. Maybe now it will. Exchange Place, Boston, MA .
Bailey's of Boston
A lot of the ladies who lunch consider this rich concoction the next best thing to sex; and they might be right. Boston, MA
The Boston Phoenix
"Cardinal Sin" by Kristen Lombardi in the Boston Phoenix, March 23, 2001, which reported four months before the Globe that the court had sealed documents related to whether Cardinal Bernard Law knew in 1984 about Geoghan and did not remove him.
<em>Boston Globe</em>
For reporting that an adulterous affair may have provoked the murders of Dartmouth professors Half and Susanne Zantop.
Louis Boston
The ground-floor inventory at Louis Boston changes as often as Maria Fei's whim dictates—which is to say, almost daily. The veteran home-accessories buyer is constantly tweaking the store's displays to incorporate her latest prizes, gleaned from upscale markets and dealers around the world. Porcelain tea sets by Mat & Jewski and graceful Astier de Villatte flatware are juxtaposed with handcrafted birch birdhouses; dotted amid the lighting fixtures are vintage French dishes and glassware, handmade candles, and even a clutch of beautifully preserved antique handbags. 60 Northern Ave., Boston, MA 2110, louisboston.com.
Minotti Boston
Courtesy of Minotti Boston In what proved to be a banner year for local showroom openings, the debut of this luxury Italian brand’s first-ever Boston store has us truly buzzing. Located on Stuart Street, the space stuns with towering floor-to-ceiling windows and a custom double-sided fireplace. Of course, the inventory itself is just as eye-catching; gorgeous vignettes featuring contemporary furniture by designers like Nendo and Marcio Kogan make the shopping experience truly memorable. 210 Stuart St., Boston, MA 02116, minottibyddc.com.