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Ten Must-Stop Shops to Explore in Boston

By Natalie Alcala
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All photos by Flagship Photo
By Natalie Alcala

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Boston is known as one of America's great walking cities, but if you have a trip planned to the Bay State, we recommend opting out of the Freedom Trail and instead venturing onto the charming brick sidewalks of their best shopping neighborhoods. You might be pleasantly surprised to find boutiques that rival your hometown favorites.

Pop into Louis for luxury exclusives, sneak behind a secret Snapple door at Bodega to find a world of streetwear, swing by Follain for healthy beauty goods, and finish your weekend with a Sunday browse through SoWa (keep in mind there is an epic food truck lot involved).


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1. Concepts

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37 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 868-2001
(617) 868-2001
Visit Website
Concepts is a Cambridge institution specializing in high-demand collabs and all the hype that surrounds a major release from New Balance, Nike, Vans, and other iconic brands in skate and street culture. It also offers pieces from fashion legends like Margiela and Comme Des Garcons, housed in a sleek space that feels like a lounge.

2. Good

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133 Charles Street
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 722-9200
(617) 722-9200
Visit Website
Good is a tightly edited collection of New England's best craftspeople, featuring supple leather bags from Maine, ceramics from Connecticut, jewelry from Nantucket, and baskets from New Hampshire—punctuated by global finds like Japanese paper goods.

3. Holiday Boutique

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53 Charles Street
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 973-9730
(617) 973-9730
Visit Website
Beacon Hill boutique Holiday is the epitome of girly with its "Pretty Little Sister" private line, feminine Massachusetts-made frocks, a signature cashmere collection, and designers like SF-based Kirribilla, Bell by Alicia Bell, and Erin Fetherston. Also find knick knacks for your abode and jewelry box throughout the vintage-inspired store.

4. Louis

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60 Northern Avenue
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 262-6100
(617) 262-6100
Visit Website
Nearly a century old and having inhabited a historic Back Bay building for the latter part of the twentieth century, this fine retailer moved itself to the waterfront several seasons ago. Since then, fashion lovers have adored this department store for high end threads from the likes of Proenza Schouler, Balenciaga, and Jason Wu alongside emerging CFDA-approved talents Jonathan Simkhai and Monique Pean.

5. Ball And Buck

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144 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 262-1776
(617) 262-1776
Visit Website
Guys love this camo-clad habitat for Americana-inspired threads, kicks, and accessories, usually part of limited edition collabs and all of which are made in the USA. It has increasingly built up its own private line, complementing goods from Wolverine, Dickies, and Baxter skincare seamlessly. With a commitment to domestic jobs, the team also keeps customers looking fresh at the in-store barbershop.

6. Bodega

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6 Clearway Street
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 421-1550
(617) 421-1550
Visit Website
The secret Snapple entrance is a rite of passage to many streetwear enthusiasts far and wide—no surprise given its close proximity to the universities. Since the secret is already out, we won't keep mum on the killer selection of all the sneaker favorites, jackets from Schott and Dr. Romanelli, Super and even vintage Cazal eyewear. And if you want a snack, the literal bodega is open too.

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7. Follain

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53 Dartmouth Street
Boston, MA 02116
(857) 284-7078
(857) 284-7078
Visit Website
Approaching its first anniversary, Follain has caught nationwide attention for its blend of American-made, all natural beauty inventory. Pick up some regionally sourced castile soap, Gwyneth Paltrow-approved skincare, beeswax lip balm, and chemical-free cosmetics—owner Tara Foley will happily walk you through each product.

8. Bobby from Boston

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19 Thayer Place
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 423-9299
(617) 423-9299
People claim this is the best men's vintage shopping around, and a browsable women's selection is available too. Amazing bags, preppy wears of yesteryear, and a totally cool ambiance are the attraction here.

9. SoWa Vintage and SoWa Open Markets

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460 Harrison Avenue
Boston, MA 02118
(800) 403-8305
(800) 403-8305
Visit Website
For the past decade, Bostonians have been strolling SoWa's markets on Sundays in search of clever trinkets, unusual decor, locally crafted items, and a cluster of vintage and antique vendors. Indoors you'll find the year-round Vintage Market, with May through October adding on an outdoor farmer's market, food and fashion truck gatherings, and tent upon tent of distinctive buys. Come fall, artisans prep for the notorious Holiday Market.

10. Patch NYC

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46 Waltham Street
Boston, MA 02118
(917) 292-2640
(917) 292-2640
Visit Website
Given their worldwide fame as artists and collaborators with Target and Anthropologie, we dig that the creative pair behind this design dynasty still calls a little South End courtyard home. The headquarters and shop are a warm setting for striking jewelry and home goods, many of which are private label and all of which are keepers.
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1. Concepts

37 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Concepts is a Cambridge institution specializing in high-demand collabs and all the hype that surrounds a major release from New Balance, Nike, Vans, and other iconic brands in skate and street culture. It also offers pieces from fashion legends like Margiela and Comme Des Garcons, housed in a sleek space that feels like a lounge.
37 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617) 868-2001
Visit Website

2. Good

133 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114
Good is a tightly edited collection of New England's best craftspeople, featuring supple leather bags from Maine, ceramics from Connecticut, jewelry from Nantucket, and baskets from New Hampshire—punctuated by global finds like Japanese paper goods.
133 Charles Street
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 722-9200
Visit Website

3. Holiday Boutique

53 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114
Beacon Hill boutique Holiday is the epitome of girly with its "Pretty Little Sister" private line, feminine Massachusetts-made frocks, a signature cashmere collection, and designers like SF-based Kirribilla, Bell by Alicia Bell, and Erin Fetherston. Also find knick knacks for your abode and jewelry box throughout the vintage-inspired store.
53 Charles Street
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 973-9730
Visit Website

4. Louis

60 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA 02110
Nearly a century old and having inhabited a historic Back Bay building for the latter part of the twentieth century, this fine retailer moved itself to the waterfront several seasons ago. Since then, fashion lovers have adored this department store for high end threads from the likes of Proenza Schouler, Balenciaga, and Jason Wu alongside emerging CFDA-approved talents Jonathan Simkhai and Monique Pean.
60 Northern Avenue
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 262-6100
Visit Website

5. Ball And Buck

144 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116
Guys love this camo-clad habitat for Americana-inspired threads, kicks, and accessories, usually part of limited edition collabs and all of which are made in the USA. It has increasingly built up its own private line, complementing goods from Wolverine, Dickies, and Baxter skincare seamlessly. With a commitment to domestic jobs, the team also keeps customers looking fresh at the in-store barbershop.
144 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 262-1776
Visit Website

6. Bodega

6 Clearway Street, Boston, MA 02115
The secret Snapple entrance is a rite of passage to many streetwear enthusiasts far and wide—no surprise given its close proximity to the universities. Since the secret is already out, we won't keep mum on the killer selection of all the sneaker favorites, jackets from Schott and Dr. Romanelli, Super and even vintage Cazal eyewear. And if you want a snack, the literal bodega is open too.
6 Clearway Street
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 421-1550
Visit Website

7. Follain

53 Dartmouth Street, Boston, MA 02116
Approaching its first anniversary, Follain has caught nationwide attention for its blend of American-made, all natural beauty inventory. Pick up some regionally sourced castile soap, Gwyneth Paltrow-approved skincare, beeswax lip balm, and chemical-free cosmetics—owner Tara Foley will happily walk you through each product.
53 Dartmouth Street
Boston, MA 02116
(857) 284-7078
Visit Website

8. Bobby from Boston

19 Thayer Place, Boston, MA 02118
People claim this is the best men's vintage shopping around, and a browsable women's selection is available too. Amazing bags, preppy wears of yesteryear, and a totally cool ambiance are the attraction here.
19 Thayer Place
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 423-9299

9. SoWa Vintage and SoWa Open Markets

460 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118
For the past decade, Bostonians have been strolling SoWa's markets on Sundays in search of clever trinkets, unusual decor, locally crafted items, and a cluster of vintage and antique vendors. Indoors you'll find the year-round Vintage Market, with May through October adding on an outdoor farmer's market, food and fashion truck gatherings, and tent upon tent of distinctive buys. Come fall, artisans prep for the notorious Holiday Market.
460 Harrison Avenue
Boston, MA 02118
(800) 403-8305
Visit Website

10. Patch NYC

46 Waltham Street, Boston, MA 02118
Given their worldwide fame as artists and collaborators with Target and Anthropologie, we dig that the creative pair behind this design dynasty still calls a little South End courtyard home. The headquarters and shop are a warm setting for striking jewelry and home goods, many of which are private label and all of which are keepers.
46 Waltham Street
Boston, MA 02118
(917) 292-2640
Visit Website