Boston General Store Will Open a Permanent Location This Fall

From left: photo of April and dog Olive by Liz McBride; photo by April Gabriel.

Boston General Store, a housewares and design shop that honors pastoral sensibilities, has been a favorite stop at SOWA and in pop-up shops around town since 2013. Soon, fans of the high quality wares can visit the store’s permanent home—they hope to be up and running, possibly in Coolidge Corner, by mid-October.

Store owner April Gabriel says customers can expect to see bestsellers, like Le Kraft leather journals, candles from P.F. Candle Co., and waxed canvas bags from Bradley Mountain, but they can also look forward to new brands. “We’ve been traveling all over the U.S to find new brands for the past few months, and I think we’ll do y’all proud in who we found,” says Gabriel, a native Texan. Also a part of the plan for the store: a refill station for cleaning supplies (they carry Common Good cleaners), and space for in-store events and workshops.

The inspiration behind Gabriel’s shop started with her Nanna, who appreciated a well made product and was willing to invest in quality things that would last. “After spending many summers with her in the Berkshires, I never saw her buy anything new,” says Gabriel. “We used things that she bought when she was young or things that were handed down to her.”

Since Nanna was big on caring for things, Boston General Store has the essentials. “I sell really awesome leather accessories, so I carry a leather care kit. For slate cheese boards and wooden cutting boards, we have mineral oil to nourish them,” says Gabriel.

Until the opening, stop into pop-up shops in Somerville’s Forge Baking Co. and Bloc 11 Cafe, or visit online shop for favorite items.

Photos by April Gabriel.