Jeremy Ogusky
You get a CSA box from your local farm and you’re on a first-name basis with your butcher, but what about the plates and bowls you set the table with every day? A worthy addition to any Boston cabinet, potter Jeremy Ogusky’s durable, unpretentious pieces can be purchased on Etsy; biannual open-studio days at his J.P. workspace, meanwhile, welcome all to come learn the art of pottery. claycrocks.com.
Eye and Eye Optics
It’s not easy finding a pair of frames that harmonize with your face just so. But if anyone can do it, it’s father-and-son opticians Bobin and Tariq Nicholson, both of whom studied music in college and now bring their artistic vision to this one-stop shop for glasses, contacts, and eye exams. Whether you prefer your specs colorful and funky or sleek and understated, you’ll find them in the cases here—along with warm, personable service that turns a chore into an outing to look forward to. 2271 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA 02124, eyeandeyeoptics.com.
Tres Gatos
The brunch at this record shop/tapas bar caters to savory seekers—and hangover chasers. Here the "put an egg on it" philosophy reigns supreme, evidenced by dinner-menu staples like the lamb bocadillo, which gets the morning-after huevos treatment come brunch. While you're waiting for your table (there will be a wait), browse the back bookshop for fiction, art books, vinyl, and a broad collection of food magazines that will surely whet your appetite. 470 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130, tresgatosjp.com.
Honk! Festival of Activist Street Bands
This annual free music and dance party sprawls along Somerville's sidewalks and plazas, as dozens of brass and drum bands from across the U.S., Canada, France, Italy, Brazil, and Russia converge on Davis Square. The music pounds in your chest. The activism moves your soul. And to support the restaurants and shops in the square, Honk! forbids outside vendors. No wonder it's the rare local cultural invention so successful, it's been copied in New York, Seattle, and—for the first time this past January—Australia. honkfest.org.
Outdoor Voices
Whether your idea of a workout is a leisurely stroll around Jamaica Pond or endless squats at Burnin’ by Ray, this newcomer to the Boston fitness scene has you covered, with lightweight athletic dresses, super-soft knit hoodies, and color-blocked leggings designed with performance and comfort in mind. The Seaport outpost of the chainlet even hosts a hikers’ club, rock-climbing outings, and ’90s-themed yoga, should you need a place to put your new duds to good use. 31 Northern Ave., Boston, MA outdoorvoices.com.
Heartbreak Hill Running Company
On the Esplanade sporting this shop’s iconic logo? You can bet you’ll get a few high-fives along the way. That’s because Heartbreak Hill is a bona fide pavement pounders’ haven, stocked with top-rated sneakers, breathable T-shirts, ergonomic water bottles, and anti-chafe balm (because…sweat). As avid runners themselves, staffers intuitively know what you need along your journey—most important, free running clubs to help you find your tribe. 294 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA heartbreakhillrunningcompany.com.
Bellacquer
Word to the wise: Arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment, because you’ll need extra time to choose from Bellacquer’s seemingly endless wall of colors—more than 1,500 hues, actually. Once you’ve picked your polish, it’s time to move on to the pampering, administered by technicians who wield a nail file and cuticle trimmer with particular precision. Salon connoisseurs will appreciate the blissful hot-stone massage that comes standard with each classic pedicure. 1389 Beacon St., Brookline, MA bellacquer.com.
Adamas Fine Jewelry
The engagement rings on the second floor of his Newton shop are certainly gasp-worthy (you’ll swoon over brilliant-cut sparklers, halo settings, and pavé-diamond-encrusted split bands), but Adamas Fine Jewelry co-owner and master craftsman Anto Aboyan thrives on one-of-a-kind creativity. If your ideas aren’t set in stone, he can help you build a ring from scratch, hand-casting your custom design into an instant heirloom at his on-site workshop. 22 Lincoln St., Newton, MA adamasfinejewelry.com.
A Street Frames
You’ve finally chosen the perfect masterpiece for your living room—why ruin it with a cheap, mass-produced frame? Go where the top galleries, museums, and collectors go, and you can rest assured that your artwork or favorite family photo will remain in mint condition for years to come thanks to A Street’s archival framing techniques. It’ll look sharp, too, courtesy of hundreds of handcrafted frame styles in materials such as steel, hardwood, and even gold leaf. 755 Concord Ave., Cambridge, MA astreetframes.com.
Great Eastern Trading Co.
Make sure you clear your schedule before stepping inside this time warp of a store, which stocks clothing and accessories dating to the 1920s. You’ll need plenty of time to browse rack after rack of still-good band tees, three-piece crochet sets, ’70s-era palazzo pants, forever-stylish leather jackets, quirky vests, and just about anything else your vintage heart could desire. Multiple locations, greateasternvintage.com.
The Fish & Bone
Courtesy of Canada Pooch Admit it: If your pets don’t feel — and look — good, you don’t either. So whether you’re in the market for a gold glitter collar for your cool cat, some freeze-dried pig snouts for Fido to obsess over, or fresh toys, outfits, and blankets, this shop has you covered. Having a hard time deciding? Let the knowledgeable and friendly staffers throw you a bone. thefishandbone.com.
Columbus Cleaners
In a city with dry cleaners on virtually every block, what makes Columbus stand out when it comes to airing your dirty laundry? For one, the eco-friendly, nontoxic cleaning process (no perc here!). Second, the delivery app, which lets you get shirts and suits picked up from your home — and dropped back off — with the touch of a button. All in all, it’s a service that fits like a glove. Multiple locations, columbuscleaners.net.
Karen Pham, Trephin Hair Salon
Whether you’re sporting long nails or short, natural or acrylic, Karen Pham stands ready to deck out your set. She can handpaint you a tiny bunny or bird, or encrust your tips with crystals or gold foil. Arrive armed with inspiration, or let her creativity shine: Either way, you’ll walk out with 10 unique conversation pieces. 25 Temple Place, Boston, MA 02111, trephin.com.
Spin Boston
Tired of looking at your coworkers’ mugs on Zoom? Maybe some friendly competition — and a cocktail or two — is in order. At Spin, Fort Point’s hip new Ping-Pong nightclub (er, venue), staffers deal with the unhappy task of hunting down stray balls, so you can focus on showing your boss who’s boss — when it comes to spin serves, that is. 30 Melcher St., Boston, MA 02210, wearespin.com.
Assembly Showroom
Los Angeles native Matt Gallagher brings the West Coast to the South Shore with Assembly Showroom, a boutique offering casual-cool styles for men and women. With a wide selection of clothing from brands such as Marine Layer, Faherty, and LNA — not to mention ultra-helpful, knowledgeable staffers that make upgrading your wardrobe a breeze — you’re guaranteed to drop in more than once. And your options for visiting are plentiful: Within three years of opening, Assembly already has three locations on the South Shore. Hingham and other locations 24 North St., Hingham, MA 02043, assemblyshowroom.com.