Concepts
Pat Piasecki Part art gallery, part theater, the new kid on the first block of Newbury Street is the go-to place for some of the world’s best streetwear, not to mention the ultimate in experiential retail (see: the DJ booth and on-site café). Expect an eclectic selection of sneakers, apparel, and accessories for men and women spread across three floors, from edgy Japanese brands such as A Bathing Ape and VisVim to haute labels like Balmain and Alexander McQueen. Just be sure to follow Concepts on Instagram for updates, as lines are often out the door thanks to frequent drops of exclusive merch. 18 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, cncpts.com.
Fish & Bone
Adopted a dog from out of state during the pandemic? This shop’s Red Sox jerseys and lobster rope toys will have Fido looking and feeling like a local in no time. You’ll find plenty of stylish accessories for citified cats and dogs, too, from catnip-scented cactus toys to colorful striped dog beds by Pendleton. 217 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, thefishandbone.com.
Kelly’s Underground Dog Grooming
Chances are your pup doesn’t love getting a wash, cut, and blow-dry as much as you love when they do. Thankfully, a visit to this South End favorite is something you can both look forward to: In addition to being a talented groomer, Kelly’s doesn’t crate dogs while they wait, so they can enjoy a little playtime with pals before they get clipped. 248 W Newton St., Boston, MA 02116, .
The Urban Hound
Taking off those dog-hair-covered sweatpants and heading back to the office after months of remote work? We know you’ll miss your dogs’ constant companionship, but if you drop them off at Urban Hound — with its indoor and outdoor play spaces and loving staffers — they probably won’t miss you. 129 Malden St., Boston, MA 02118, urbanhounds.com.
M. Flynn
Lizzie Fortunato Sure, we’d all love to have the Hope Diamond in our jewelry box, but it’s those pieces we wear every day that become part of who we are — and nobody understands that better than M. Flynn founders and sisters Moria and Megan Flynn. Their impeccable taste, refined over more than a decade in business, is what keeps their loyal fan base coming back for bold, statement earrings, colorful bracelets, and everything in between. 40 Waltham St, Boston, MA 02118, mflynnjewelry.com.
Landry’s Bicycles
Courtesy photo As interest in biking soars to new heights, Landry’s has met the moment with unmatched care and attention to newbies, while also catering to a wave of repairs — be they from road warriors putting in extra mileage or stir-crazy locals digging old rigs out of the basement. Upgrading your ride? Help the bike-hungry masses by trading in the old one at the Landry’s Comm. Ave. outpost, where the team can patch it up, get it back on the floor, and keep the cycling surge rolling along. 1048 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA 02215, landrys.com.
Claudiane Philippe
Contributed photo UX designer, Maggie fashion model, and influencer extraordinaire, Claudiane Philippe is one busy gal:The 30-year-old Waltham native creates content for not one but three Instagram accounts: @cphilipp, a lifestyle blog; @itsclaudiane, focusing on all things beauty; and @nailthecocktail, highlighting Boston’s best cocktails. She’s also bringing awareness to social justice. To wit: To celebrate Black beauty, she posted a different look each day in honor of Black History Month, and throughout the pandemic, she named each of the DIY drinks on her cocktail blog after a person of color who died at the hands of police. Call it style with a whole lot of substance.
Cross Street Flower Farm
The fields at Nikki Bartley's flower farm overflow with gorgeous blooms — so many, in fact, that they’re able to offer a CSA program with pickup at six locations on the South Shore. But if you want to get in on the action, you’ll have to sign up early — very early. Shares for the following year usually sell out in December. 4 Jacobs Ln., Norwell, MA 02061, crossstreetflowerfarm.com.
Frugal Bookstore
Mona Miri The pandemic deeply challenged the future of Boston’s foremost Black-owned bookstore, with owners Leonard Egerton and Clarrissa Cropper holding online fundraisers to maintain not only their business focused on Black authors and subjects, but also their mission to encourage literacy in kids and adults. We’re so thankful they’ve managed to persevere: After all, where else would we find a wide range of children’s literature, Afrofuturistic sci-fi, memoirs, and local and national history, all lovingly curated by two people who grew up in Boston? 57 Warren St., Roxbury, MA 02119, frugalbookstore.net.
European Watch Company
Courtesy photo Collecting watches is like collecting cars: You can’t get very far without the right dealer. Thankfully, Boston’s timepiece aficionados have European Watch Company, whose cases are filled with coveted tickers from the likes of Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and Rolex. In business since 1993, the Newbury Street gallery is a great place to trade in and trade up, with a constantly changing inventory of new, preowned, and vintage watches — many of them rare. 232 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116, europeanwatch.com.
Matsu
Pat Piasecki For 33 years, Dava Muramatsu held court on Newbury Street at her beloved apparel and home-accessories boutique, Matsu. After a seven-year hiatus, she’s back, this time in a dark-forest-green-painted, incense-burning, music-flowing space on Charles Street, and her signature multi-sensory style is stronger than ever. Treat yourself to perfectly distressed jeans, ethereal tutus, and diaphanous cashmere sweaters from designers like Louiza Babouryan and Ottotredici. Among the bounty is also her own jewelry line, Nymph Jewels, a gemstone-rich collection including citrine chokers and pink sapphire earrings. Welcome back, indeed. 76 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114, davamuramatsu.com.
Bobby from Boston
Pat Piasecki For decades, Bobby from Boston was the spot for vintage duds, thanks to owner Bobby Garnett’s eye for perfectly weathered leather jackets and other stylish finds. When he passed away in 2016, many thought the store would die with him — but thankfully, his daughter Jessica Garnett Carrion has grabbed the torch, opening a boutique with the same name in Somerville’s Bow Market. And she’s already proving she can carry on the legacy, sourcing everything from authentic military jackets to flapper-style pearls that make playing dress-up feel like a very grownup endeavor. One Bow Market Way, Somerville, MA 02143, bobbyfromboston.com.
Meichi Peng
Courtesy photos At a time when so many of us have adopted new furry friends, this handbag guru’s bespokedoggie totes (customized to your pet’s specific shape and size) have reached cult-hero status. But that’s not the only carryall Peng specializes in: Handmade in upholstery-level cowhide and buffalo leather, each of her sumptuous clutches, satchels, totes, belts, and accessories takes 12 to 50 hours to stitch — and it shows. 95 Broadway, Fl. 2, Boston, MA 02116, pengbags.com.
Thom Solo
When would you ever wear a ruched periwinkle thigh-high boot? When would you not, Thom Solo would respond. His Elton John-meets-Michelangelo designs have graced the feet of Lady Gaga, Kelly Clarkson, and Britney Spears, among others, and even got a showcase in the MFA’s “Gender Bending Fashion” exhibit in 2019. This year Solo poured his pandemic-lockdown energy into the Nostalgia collection, an explosively creative line of caged heels, loafer-style Mary Janes, and, yes, ruched thigh-highs. thomsolo.com.
Emily Scott Surette, E. Scott Originals
So you’re looking to invest in that next piece of jewelry — but you want something that feels a lot more like you and a lot less like something out of a catalog. Consider commissioning a handmade piece from Emily Scott Surette, who prides herself on a personal-yet-casual approach to custom work. The designer’s off-the-rack options are just as unique, ranging from nautical cuff links and money clips to delicate crystal pendant necklaces. 199b Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143, escottoriginals.com.
Pure Oasis
As the first recreational pot shop in Boston proper, and the first Black-owned one in the state, Pure Oasis carries the weight of history on its shoulders. From the moment it opened in early 2020 (unluckily, mere moments before COVID lockdowns set in), the store has been embraced by its community. Stocked with an impressive array of flower, tinctures, THC-infused chocolates, and even a line of locally made cannabis seltzers, it certainly has the goods. But a year later, shopping at Pure Oasis still feels like a celebration — of a ceasefire in the war on drugs that caused immeasurable harm in its backyard, and of all that’s yet to come as the industry flourishes. 430 Blue Hill Ave., Boston, MA 02121, mypureoasis.com.
Saks Fifth Avenue
Courtesy photo In a town with so few places to find stylish footwear, praise be to Saks, temple of the almighty shoe. Hunting down a chic sneaker? Choose among Jimmy Choo, Gucci, and Adidas by Stella McCartney. In the market for a Cinderella-worthy stiletto? Try on a pair from Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, Chanel, or Fendi. With more than 100 designers to choose from, it’s safe to say you (and your feet) will never get bored. 800 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02199, saks.com.
Green Pinata Toys
Kids love toys. Kids also get bored of toys at lightning speed. Free your home from accumulating mounds of unused playthings — and cut your spend in half — with this straightforward and charming subscription box. For a monthly fee, you get up to four non-toxic, non-tech novelties per month. If (ahem, when) your little ones tire of the trinkets, you can simply ship them back and get a new box — making this a win-win for parents and kids alike. greenpinatatoys.com.
Sinesia Karol
Colorful prints, playful ruffles, unexpected details: Even if you’re just wearing this local designer’s bikinis and one-pieces to CBI or Wequassett for a weekend, you can expect to turn heads. Even better, the swimsuits — inspired by the exuberant beach culture of Karol’s native Brazil — come in a variety of shapes and silhouettes for all body types, so you can feel confident and comfortable on the sand. sinesiakarol.us.
Olives & Grace
In a year when sending love meant more than ever, Sofi Madison’s “Local Maker Gift Box” provided a much-needed dose of TLC, in the form of delectable shortbread cookies from Lark Fine Foods, peanut butter patties from Seacoast Sweets, and a Well Told rocks glass engraved with a city map. The best part? Purchasing one for your favorite cousin or college bud is a gift to the community, too, as every small-batch, handcrafted item inside is produced right here in the Bay State. 623 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02118, olivesandgrace.com.
Beam
At a time when the Bay State’s CBD scene is absolutely exploding, this buzzy local startup has gone to great lengths to produce some of the cleanest and purest cannabidiol products on the market, helping users improve sleep, focus, and recovery one drop (or capsule) at a time. And by aligning themselves with a range of top athlete ambassadors such as professional golfer Billy Horschel and gold medalist triathlete Gwen Jorgensen, the company continues to prove that we’re only just scratching the surface of CBD’s powers. beamtlc.com.