Best of the New: Stores
STORES
Let the hunt begin. These stores arrived in Greater Boston last year; a few were already here but underwent such a transformation that you have to go back.
artStrand
In Provincetown last May, a dozen painters, sculptors, photographers, and installation artists banded together to open artStrand, a commercial gallery that follows in a grand local tradition of artist-run exhibition spaces - a tradition that's under siege by escalating real estate prices. The small but spiffy space in the west end of town is off the beaten track but worth the extra few blocks' walk. The founders make serious, estimable, and sometimes raucously funny art - a testament that P-town is still a hotbed of creativity, even if fewer artists can afford to live there. 53 Bradford Street, Provincetown, 508-487-1153, artstrand.com
Back Pages Books
Although the shelves aren't yet stuffed, the staff is ridiculously friendly at Back Pages Books, and the selection of new and used books is quite satisfying. Opened by two men who graduated from Brandeis in 2004, the store buys used books each Wednesday and hosts regular readings (author Howard Zinn was there in the fall). 368 Moody Street, Waltham, 781-788-9988, backpagesbooks.com
Bella and Bella's Closet
This casual but high-end local chain of stores selling items for the home, bath, and body (Bella) as well as clothing and accessories (Bella's Closet) is slowly expanding, and Hingham became lucky last June with the arrival of both under one roof. A soft knit robe from Barefoot Dreams and candles and bubble bath by Lollia can help you create a spa in your bathroom. If you're looking for something to pair with designer jeans, consider a Cath Kidston vintage-inspired tote or a cool Tylie handbag, an Italian cashmere top from Petro Zillia, or a precision-cut thong or panty (no lines will show). Derby Street Shoppes, 94 Derby Street, Suite 225, Hingham, 781-749-7511
Classic Tuxedo
Bond, James Bond. That's who may be on the flat-screen TV when you walk in the door of Classic Tuxedo's new Boston store. Or maybe you'll see Fred Astaire or the cast of Ocean's Eleven. (The original, of course.) This is clearly not your dad's tux rental place, with nary a ruffle or polyester fabric in sight. Instead, the shop is all class, with designer formalwear from the likes of Ralph Lauren, DKNY, and Joseph Abboud, with rental or purchase options. 223 Newbury Street, Boston, 617-424-7707, classictuxedo.com
Club Monaco
For several years, Club Monaco has been like an eligible bachelor not ready to take the plunge. First there were rumors of a Newbury Street location. Then, one in Copley Place. Now, finally, the international retail phenomenon has made a commitment to Boston's low-key fashion flock. The spacious new store at The Shops at Prudential Center carries clean, modern classics for men and women, with just the right amount of updated fabrics, colors, and detailing. The prices are also easy to take. OK, so it was worth the wait. The Shops at Prudential Center, Boston, 617-262- 2658, clubmonaco.com
Dahlia
Art-to-wear can be enormously appealing, as you see the hand of the artist in every unique design. Dahlia, an easily missed store because of its below-street-level location, is filled with one-of-a-kind hand-woven clothing, along with limited-edition scarves and bags. Co-owner/artisan Dahlia Popovits shows her own beautiful creations as well as those of crafts people from all over the country. Most tempting are partner Marc Levine's exquisite lacquered handbags, which have been featured in museums and on the pages of Vogue. 97M Union Street, Newton Centre, 617-527-4456
dress
Pity the working woman who loves the latest styles but can't risk raising eyebrows at the office. The two local women who opened a boutique aptly named dress feel her pain. Their lovely new store carries chic suits and separates in scrumptious fabrics and updated silhouettes. Fabulous finds include Sigerson Morrison's sublime shoes and day-to-evening handbags. Another plus: "Basic" is not a dirty word at dress, a great place to buy must-have layering pieces. 221 Newbury Street, Boston, 617-424-7125
Eleganza
Located among Coolidge Corner's numerous pharmacies and coffee shops, the new and upscale Eleganza clothing boutique can come as quite a surprise. Catering to Brookline's well-to-do professional set, this formal boutique carries mostly men's suits, sport coats, outerwear, and accessories from top-drawer Italian designers like Zegna, Roberto Cavalli, and Dolce & Gabbana. While you'll also find a smattering of women's high-end leather goods, clothes, and shoes, the store's atmosphere is decidedly masculine, with everything a sophisticated gentleman needs for work-to-weekend wear, including designer sunglasses and imported cologne. 275 Harvard Street, Brookline, 617-739-3100
First Act Guitar Studio
First Act Guitar Studio moved from its Newton digs this summer to a prominent spot downtown. Manufacturing six-strings with price tags from double to quadruple digits, the new space is perfect for watching the in-house luthier craft guitars on your lunch hour. The space is also prime for its series of intimate shows, where acts like Death Cab for Cutie and former Replacements leader Paul Westerberg have performed sets with guitars made at the store. Westerberg smashed his First Act ax after the grand opening performance in September. If there's a more appropriate way christen a guitar shop, we don't know what it is. 745 Boylston Street, Boston, 617-226-7899, firstact.com
French Dressing
Beacon Hill and sexy underthings? What's going on here? It's French Dressing, a coquettish lingerie shop on the fl at of the hill that has neighborhood gals swooning. Decked out like a femme fatale's boudoir, this gem of a store offers lacy lovelies from Hanky Panky, Le Mystere, and Eberjey, as well as bewitching lounging and sleepwear from Skin and Cosabella. Owner Brenna Graham believes lingerie can be as practical as it is pretty, and she asks where else can a woman spend as little as $18 and feel like a million bucks? 49 River Street, Boston, 617-723-4968, frenchdressinglingerie.com
Hazel & Grace
While Newton has long been a fashion mecca for female suburbanites, Wellesley is now giving the tony town a run for its money with boutiques like Hazel & Grace. Housed in a light-filled Greek revival building, the conveniently located store has an eclectic mix of contemporary styles, including innovative designs from Rozae Nichols and Jarbo, wow handbags by Giorgio Brato and Goldenbleu, and an exclusive denim line from Tylerskye. The owners say their customers are looking for sexy and sophisticated clothes. The store delivers. 254 Washington Street, Wellesley, 781-235-2313
 Globe Photo / Pam Berry |
You should make a beeline to Honeyspot, a wildly entertaining shop in Jamaica Plain. Like a slice of kitsch heaven, the store is filled with retro clothing and wacky curios such as state souvenir glasses, old-time tin toys, and a model of a dog mapped with acupuncture points (no kidding). Fun fashions include original and reworked vintage items, along with endearing jewelry like rings made from antique buttons. Honeyspot also has a wealth of memorable gifts for all ages, complete with sure-to-amuse period greeting cards.48 South Street, Jamaica Plain, 617-524-2444
IKEA
Looking at displays of couches and flatware doesn't usually make us so giddy. But it does at Swedish retailer IKEA. Maybe it's the elaborate showrooms that illustrate clean Scandinavian style in realistic detail; it appears as if the room's occupant has just stepped away. Then there's the fabulous cafeteria, serving good food at bargain prices (like an eggs-bacon-and-potatoes breakfast for 99 cents), and the supervised playroom where you can drop off your children while you shop. Critics say the company's cheap, assemble- it-yourself furniture doesn't last, but we're still using chairs and a chest of drawers bought a decade ago - back when we had to cross state lines to shop at IKEA. 1 IKEA Way, Stoughton, 781-344- 4532, ikea.com
Kuhlman
If it's time to spread your wings a bit, you're in luck: Kuhlman has opened a Boston outpost chockfull of some mighty fl ashy plumage. Lest we forget that peacocks with the prettiest feathers are the male of the species, the most flamboyant colors and prints are on the men's side of the store, where Etro- and Paul Smith-inspired shirts retail for just $55, with all ties at $39. The European-designed suiting for both sexes boasts fine craftsmanship and a bold, confident edge. The Shops at Prudential Center, Boston, 617-262-0979, kuhlmancompany.com
Laura Preshong
Maine-raised Laura Preshong makes stunning jewelry from chunks of richly colored hand-blown glass set in silver. Her creations have long been available through catalogs and websites, but now you can find them - and the artist herself - at her eponymous store in the South End. Preshong also offers items from a handful of other jewelry artists, most of whom are from New England; options range from industrial-looking steel or aluminum pieces to delicate 18-karat-gold chains. The small, sun-filled space also functions as a gallery, hung with local artwork that Preshong changes every few months. 53 Dartmouth Street, Boston, 617-236-7660
LeStrada
It's always a happy day in Boston when a shoe store opens carrying creme de la creme designers like Jimmy Choo and Casadei. But in Brookline Village, it's positively cause for euphoria. LeStrada transports a bit of Milan to this eclectic neighborhood, tempting locals with runway-worthy footwear in begging-to-be-touched leathers. And, yes, they have men's shoes, too, in a setting of warm burnt-sienna walls, hand-painted murals, and plush red-velvet seating with a decidedly continental flair. Oh, and did we mention the Roberto Cavali handbags? LeStrada is truly la dolce vita. 27 Harvard Street, Brookline, 617-277-0081
 Globe Photo / Pam Berry |
How lucky can we get? Nanette Lepore, one of the hottest up-and-coming New York designers, picked Boston for her fifth freestanding store. A woman who reinvented luxe Boho long before it was trendy, Lepore continually updates her oh-so-ladylike clothes with just the right amount of embellishment and feminine trim. Designed to mimic a vintage jewel box, the boutique is as charming as the clothes and accessories, which include fanciful jewelry and handbags. 119 Newbury Street, Boston, 617-421-9200, nanettelepore.com
 Globe Photo / Pam Berry |
Nesting on Main
The historic outdoor stairway and the bubble-making machine are but two clues to the magic you will find in the labyrinth of tiny rooms that make up Nesting on Main. Exquisite vignettes filled with new and antique treasures for home and garden are everywhere in this curio store opened in July. Great finds include birdbaths, original collage art, and vintage jewelry. 44 Main Street, Concord, 978-369-4133
Parlor
Named for the room where folks once gathered to chat about culture and current events, Parlor is a unique mix of old-time values and cutting-edge design. Yes, the store welcomes you to hang out in its windowed seating area (it's wireless), but the ever-changing women's collections from established and emerging designers (like Nicholas K. and Porridge) keep the dressing rooms humming. Once an old pawn shop, the store now looks more like a cool SoHo loft, with changing monthly shows from local artists adding a homey touch. 1248 Washington Street, Boston, 617-521-9005
Queen Bee
Who says names aren't important? Formerly called Eye of the Needle, this second-floor Newbury Street boutique was overlooked by many a passerby who wrongly assumed the shop sold yarn instead of adorable prepster separates. With a whole new roster of hip-to-it designers, the revamped and renamed Queen Bee will have you buzzing about its cheeky offerings from lines like Diane von Furstenberg, Shoshanna, and Milly. Flirty accessories include decorative bags, colorful belts, and the cutest footwear, with lots of nifty gift ideas for your favorite girly-girl. 85 Newbury Street, Boston, 617-859-7999, queenbeegirls.com
Relic
Riccardo Dallai and his son, Riccardo Dallai Jr., who've stocked their Riccardi store on Newbury Street with uber-edgy styles for more than 27 years, have finally answered the prayers of fund-impaired fashionistas with a fantastical new shop called Relic. One flight down from the mother ship, this cavelike store carries less pricey avant-garde lines for men and women, such as Morphine Generation and Grail, in an atmosphere best described as urban decay. (Decorations even include salvage from the Big Dig.) Street-smart jackets, T-shirts, and jeans fill out the provocative mix. 116 Newbury Street, Boston, 617-437-7344
(Globe Staff Photo / Essdras M. Suarez)
After 30 years of selling its contemporary furniture downtown, Roche Bobois opened a second store in the burbs in November. This place showcases the best from the French retailer's Les Contemporains collection - leather furnishings are the highlight. Every piece of furniture is custom made, taking 16 to 20 weeks, so order well before your mother-in-law is due to arrive. You will also find sleek accessories and such surprises as a bed equipped with a lighted platform. You can also tap the store's design services. 575 Worcester Road, Natick, 508-650-5844, www.roche-bobois.com
The Shop at Trinity
When Boston's Trinity Church completed a $40 million renovation last winter that mined out space for new meeting rooms underneath, it also added the only store literally "in" Copley Square: The Shop at Trinity. Part bookstore, part spiritual tchotchke boutique, the business is slowly building inventory; the stock already includes 250 children's book titles, crystal jewelry, hand-made cards, children's clothing, and toys. Honoring Trinity's Anglican heritage, the shop is also the only US retailer of Price's Candles, the official candle supplier to Britain's royal household since 1840. All profits support church programs such as its summer tutoring for Boston schoolkids. Downstairs at Trinity Church, Copley Square, Boston, 617-536-0944, http://www.trinityboston.org/bks.asp
Showroom
Doug Gates, who managed the now-closed Repertoire on Boylston Street, keeps his focus on contemporary furniture at his own new store, Showroom. Featuring a neutral palette with pops of color, the shop offers a fabulous assortment of high-cachet (and high-priced) lines, including Cappellini, EmmeBi, Flexform, and Promemoria. Gates says the hip new South End restaurant Stella procured its white KnollStudio chairs here. 240 Stuart Street, Boston, 617-482-4805, showroomboston.com
Sooki
They say good things come in small packages. That's certainly true of Sooki, a charming little boutique on the ground floor of the swank new Atelier 505 residences. Not much bigger than one of her upstairs neighbor's walk-in closets, Suzan Griffith's jewel of a store only has room for the unique and special. Each carefully chosen item - from dramatic necklaces, belts, and handbags to silk mules and evening separates - is a statement-making piece you'll wear forever. And these are not items to put away for special occasions. The briefcases, for example, are as sturdy as they are stellar. 505 Tremont Street, Boston, 617-536-0809, sookiboston.com
Stingray Body Art & More
Rock City's rockers have long had to venture outside of Allston to get just the right look. But these days, Stingray Body Art & More has them covered - literally. A full-service "body modification" boutique, Stingray offers piercings and permanent makeup alongside the shop's centerpiece service: tattoos by in-house artists who work with customer suggestions and a computer database to create one-of-a-kind designs. For those who prefer to change their look a bit more frequently, the shop's retail section is filled with jewelry and clothing ranging from cutting-edgy to casual, much of it handmade right in the neighborhood. One Harvard Avenue, Allston, 617-254-0666, stingraybodyart.com
Sumi Seo
While Newton Centre is hardly lacking in chic women's boutiques, Sumi Seo, a combination of the owners' names, is something special. First, the interior looks more like the lobby of a luxury hotel than a store, with glossy marble floors, impressive floral arrangements, and a large leather sofa. Next comes the attentive service, complete with your choice of tea, wine, or bottled water. Then, there are the beautiful clothes and accessories - mostly European-designed and chosen for their novelty, whimsy, and elegance. Best of all, sizes run from 0 to 16 (yes, 16!), with most prices in the $150 to $500 range. 1207 Centre Street, Newton Centre, 617-964-7864
(Globe Staff Photo / Essdras M. Suarez)
Uniform
Uniform is one-stop shopping for card-carrying metrosexuals who don't need to suit up for the office. From geek chic to understated hip, designer lines include Ben Sherman, Original Penguin, and a local exclusive on Freitag. You can even pick up a pair of True Religion jeans before popping over to Hamersley's or the nearby pizza scene at Picco. But before quenching your thirst next door, treat your parched face with Uniform's skin-pampering products, including the Art of Shaving and Neal's Yard Remedies. Open and airy, the setting is as nonchalant as the apparel. 511 Tremont Street, Boston, 617-247-2360, uniformboston.com
Vessel
Vessel directors Stefane Barbeau and Duane Smith had a bright idea. They invented rechargeable portable lamps that gave off light similar to candles. They called them "candelas" and sold about 800,000 worldwide. This was five years ago. In 2005, they had another bright idea and turned the front of their 2,500-square-foot work space into their first retail space. Vessel sells varieties of candelas, including playful children's versions, as well as modular furniture and other inventive knickknacks like "tempo," the digital watch that can be worn as a tie clip or barrette. 125 Kingston Street, Boston, 617-292-0982, vessel.com
Voila
If you're constantly rereading A Year in Provence, put the book back on the shelf and make your way to the tres charmant home store Voila, recently transplanted from Norwell to Boston's South End. Owner Heidi Thiede has been frequenting the French countryside for the past 16 years, bringing back exceptional rustic furniture, one-of-a-kind decorative accessories, and colorful tableware. For sophisticated city dwellers, Thiede has added Art Deco pieces and Italian linens to the mix, but the store's ambience remains elegant, warm, and inviting. 1315 Washington Street, Boston, 617-542-1190, voila-inc.com
Whim
Free spirits will want to make their way to Whim, a delightfully quirky boutique filled with cool but not slave-to-fashion clothing for men and women. The two female owners have a hip, sophisticated sensibility and have smartly stocked their store with women's fashions by designers you can't find elsewhere in Boston, like Barbara Bui and Megan Park, along with one-of-a-kind vintage jewelry. The men's clothes, like jackets and shirts from Robert Graham, feature unexpected prints and detailing. Plus, the sales staff is helpful and totally without attitude. 253 Newbury Street, Boston, 617-437-7600, whimboston.com
PAMPER ME NEED AN EXPERT MANICURE, A SOAK IN A PRIVATE HOT TUB, OR A STYLISH NEW HAIRDO? SIGN UP HERE.
Globe Staff Photo / Essdras M. Suarez)
Salon Trio
When someone from as far away as California flies to Boston for a pedicure, you know we're talking something special. Jeanne Lee, one-third of Salon Trio, has earned such loyalty by working wonders with problem feet and perhaps even saving some clients from the podiatrist's chair. From the quiet back rooms of a Newbury Street brownstone, Lee and partners Tatyana Makaryan and Rina Sorrenti also offer other salon services like waxing and threading (an Eastern hair-removal technique). Many of the salon's clientele are men, who no doubt appreciate the emphasis on privacy.115 Newbury Street, Boston, 617-266-1046. salontrioboston.com
id.SALON
While great Newbury Street hair salons abound, parking spaces do not. So three talented stylists from Boston's acclaimed UMI Salon decided to bring their services and talents to the suburbs. Helen McKenna, Matthew Carlson, and Shirley Ching all have devoted followings, mostly fashion-forward women who are delighted with the accessibility and relaxed atmosphere in the new Wellesley space. The product line is exclusively Bumble and Bumble. 241 Washington Street, Wellesley, 781-237-1233
Pyara Spa and Salon
Escape for an afternoon by signing up for one of the many pampering packages at Pyara Spa and Salon, soothingly decorated like an island oasis. The Caribbean Therapy combines a warm seaweed mask, hydrating wrap, and body, face, and scalp massages. The Himalayan Rejuvenating Treatment is equally deluxe. In addition to the full-service spa, using only Aveda products, Pyara (which means "embrace" in Hindi) also has a hair and nail salon. 104 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, 617-497-9300, pyaraaveda.com
Urban Oasis
This tranquil wellness center has been designed with feng shui in mind - from the location of the mirrors to the proper lighting - all to help the energy flow. Even the drains in the hot-tub rooms are placed just so. "You don't want your prosperity to go down the drain," says Jo Gray, who, along with Renee Farster, opened Urban Oasis in September. First, soak in one of the wooden or fiberglass hot tubs; the larger one holds up to 10 people and can be rented for a private party. Afterward, head to one of the massage rooms and let magical hands work out those knots and kinks. 243 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, 617-491-0176, urbanoasiscambridge.
FINISHING TOUCHES FOR CHIC EYEWEAR, JEWELS, OR HANDBAGS, ACCESSORIZE AT ONE OF THESE STORES.
Vizio Optic
Are your eyes playing tricks on you? That might be your initial reaction when entering Brookline eyewear boutique Vizio Optic. For starters, the decor features polished blond-wood seating in undulating organic shapes, sort of Frank Lloyd Wright meets Antoni Gaudi. Even the wavy line down the center of the shop is slightly askew, as are many of the amazing eyeglass frames from avant-garde European designers. Classic styles are represented as well, along with chichi brands like Chanel,
 (Globe Photo / Pam Berry) |
C .O. Bigelow Apothecaries
Don't let the old-fashioned label fool you. C.O. Bigelow is a not-to-be-missed beauty emporium with an amazing array of grooming products from all over the world. Makeup collections at the two new local stores include Fresh, Nars, Awake, and Goldie, along with a regional exclusive of the celebrated Kevyn Aucoin cosmetic line. Also new to the Boston area is the coveted skin-care collection of dermatologist-to-the-stars Patricia Wexler and extensive offerings from Molton Brown and Biotherm. Then there is the aromatherapy "bar," beauty room with makeup artists, and on and on. Copley Place, Boston, 617-236-7257, and Northshore Mall, Peabody, 978-531-2890, bigelowchemists.com
 (Globe Staff Photo / Essdras M. Suarez) |
Want to win a woman's undying gratitude? Tell her where to find the perfect-fitting pair of jeans. Injeanius is just such a place. Owner Alison Barnard prides herself on stocking designer denims in every conceivable proportion, from the highest waist to the dangerously low. She and her knowledgeable staff actually make jeans-shopping fun, bringing just the right styles to each customer in the store's kicky dressing rooms done up as exotic beachfront cabanas. And why stop there? The store also carries playful accessories, slinky tops, and club-worthy jackets. 441 Hanover Street, Boston, 617-523-5326
Shreve, Crump & Low
When Ann Birks and daughter Kim decided to uproot their venerable jewelry business from its longtime home at Boylston and Arlington streets and move into the vacant FAO Schwarz building, it didn't seem like a big deal. One block away. A little more space. Yawn. Then you walk inside, and it's wow. A two-story Steuben Glass sculpture with more than 600 handblown lead-crystal globes hangs in the new location, which opened in November. This Shreve is more open, bright, and relaxing than the old and offers more contemporary items, including jewelry by Vera Wang, Seaman Schepps, and Gucci. 440 Boylston Street, Boston, 617-267-9100, shrevecrumpandlow.com
Stash
If owning the hottest under-the-radar handbag is your current obsession, have we got a store for you. Stash is stocked with the trendiest new styles from Los Angeles, New York, and elsewhere, including hard-to-find brands like E.D.E. Studio, Alexis Hudson, and Bulga. Owners Stacy Poritzky and Tracy Wise Weinman claim that if you see a celebrity carrying a cool bag, Stash probably has it. This sliver of a space also carries small, exclusive selections of the latest shoe and jewelry collections, including of-the-moment Good Charma bracelets. 63A Union Street, Newton Centre, 617-969-1660, shopstash.com
OH, MOTHER! RAISE YOUR SIPPY CUP TO TOAST THESE TWO NEW ARRIVALS.
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It used to be strictly an online and catalog shopping source, but babystyle opened a store last May in the Atrium Mall, the company's third location in the Northeast. Already a favorite of the rapidly growing pregnant-celebrity population, the stylish outfitter sells clothing for expectant women (like Citizens of Humanity maternity jeans) as well as for babies and children. It also offers fantastic gear - including Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bags and luxury Bugaboo carriages (right). Atrium Mall, Chestnut Hill, 617-796-8982, babystyle.com
Destination Maternity
Moms-to-be need to multitask, and you can do just that here, with several stores under one roof. Clothing options are the high-end A Pea in the Pod, mid-range Mimi Maternity, and lower-priced Motherhood Maternity. The Edamame spa offers luxurious treatments and yoga and personal training classes. There's also a book shop and lounge area with TVs. 104 Worcester Road, Natick, 508-653-1605, destinationmaternity.com
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