Shopping - Boston 2009 - page 199

Lord & Taylor, and Saks Fifth Avenue. A branch of Barneys New York, the luxe
fashion wonderland, is in Copley Place. The adjacent South End, though less com-
mercially dense, boasts a number of art galleries and quirky shops; it's a great destina-
tion for strolling, shopping, and snacking.
Another popular destination is chain-heavy Faneuil Hall Marketplace. The shops,
boutiques, and pushcarts at Boston's busiest attraction sell everything from candles to
costume jewelry, sweaters to souvenirs. Nearby, the North End has augmented its
dozens of Italian restaurants a limited but fun retail scene.
Beacon Hill is a classic shopping destination. Picturesque Charles Street, at the
foot of the hill, is a short but retail-heavy street noted for its excellent gift shops and
antiques dealers.
One of Boston's oldest shopping areas is Downtown Crossing, a traffic-free pedes-
trian mall along Washington, Winter, and Summer streets near Boston Common.
With construction raging at the site of the old Filene's building (temporarily driving
out the century-old Filene's Basement flagship), the center of this area can be some-
thing of a mess. But you'll still find Macy's, Swedish fashion phenomenon H&M,
tons of smaller clothing and shoe stores, food and merchandise pushcarts, and a Bor-
ders bookstore.
Harvard Square in Cambridge, with its bookstores, boutiques, and T-shirt shops,
is about 15 minutes from downtown Boston by subway. Despite the neighborhood
association's efforts, chain stores have swept over “the Square.” You'll find a mix of
national and regional outlets, and more than a few persistent independent retailers.
For a less generic experience, stroll from Harvard Square along shop-lined Mass.
Ave. toward Porter Square to the north or Central Square to the southeast. About
10 minutes up Prospect Street from Central Square is Inman Square, home to a num-
ber of vibrant independent retailers. Another neighborhood with a well-deserved
reputation for shopping variety is Brookline's Coolidge Corner, which is worth a trip
(on the Green Line C train).

2 Shopping A to Z
Here I've singled out establishments that I especially like and neighborhoods that suit
shoppers interested in particular types of merchandise. Addresses are in Boston unless
otherwise indicated.
ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES
No antiques hound worthy of the name will leave Boston without an expedition along
both sides of Charles Street , with a detour to River Street (parallel to Charles,

1 block closer to the river).
Bromfield Pen Shop This shop's selection of antique pens will thrill any collec-
tor. It also sells new pens—including Mont Blanc, Pelikan, Waterman, and Omas—
gifts, and the full Filofax line. Closed Sunday. 5 Bromfield St. & 617/482-9053. www.
bromfieldpenshop.com. T: Red or Orange Line to Downtown Crossing.
Cambridge Antique Market As you navigate the enormous variety of
merchandise spread over five floors (don't forget to check out the basement), you may
feel as though you're on a treasure hunt—and really, aren't you? Weekends, especially
Saturday, are when most of the 100-plus dealers are likeliest to be open. Prices are bet-
ter than in Boston, but the selection is more catch-as-catch-can. Closed Monday. 201
Msgr. O'Brien Hwy., Cambridge. & 617/868-9655. www.marketantique.com. T: Green Line to Lechmere.

Finds