Remember life before online shopping? Saturdays meant trips to individual stores to buy shoes, clothes, food, hardware, books, etc. (We even remember when stores were closed on Sunday.)
It’s a huge convenience to buy almost anything you want or need from online retailers and get it delivered in a day or even a few hours. But if you’re able to get around, it’s also nice to shop at and support local businesses, too. So, we’ll be publishing lists of independent and/or local stores. If you’d like to nominate a store or shop for the list, email and tell us about them!
It’s probably a good idea to check websites for each store’s hours.
Toys
KidsRKids
1952 Centre Street
West Roxbury
617.323.3991
A family-owned store that has served the West Roxbury community for over 30 years. They pride themselves on hand-picking products of only the highest quality and providing personalized goods that serve as lifetime keepsakes.
Clothes
Looks
2 Arrow Street
Cambridge
617.491.4251
www.lookslove.com
Looks has been around for 30 years. Customers are travelers, writers, yoga teachers, authors, professors, moms, professionals and women engaged in life. (Our friend Lisa loves this shop!)
Maintenance, etc.
Atlas True Value Hardware
1871 Centre Street
West Roxbury
617.325.9494
A family-owned, longtime local business
Gifts & Accessories
Loft and Vine
26 Prince Street (North End)
Boston
617.816.2499
www.loftandvine.com
Shoes
The Barn Family Shoe Store
25 Kempton Place
West Newton
617.332.6300
www.thebarnshoes.com
Jewelry
Dolabany Jewelers
145 University Avenue
Westwood
781.329.1111
www.dolabany.com
As a family-owned operation, their mission to provide fine quality jewelry and the best possible service. They have two appraisers and two bench jewelers on the premises. (Brenda’s Mom says they’re great.)