Goods & Services

• Antique Store

  Acquire

  He who has the most stuff wins, right? Cliché, perhaps, but also the driving impetus to visit Acquire in the North End. Instinct says to grab everything in this place—a destination for collectors since it opened in 2009. Interior designer Nikki Dalrymple is making her mark around town by assembling an inventory filled with items from the past that are ideal for the interior design of the future.

  61 Salem St., Boston » 857-362-7380 » acquireboutique.com­

• Art Supplies

  Artist & Craftsman Supply

  In one of the world’s creative capitals, the rendezvous spot for painters, sculptors and artisans of all stripes is this unique shop tucked away in Central Square. They carry an impressive selection of brushes, easels and paints fit for any art student but suited for the pros, as well. They’ll provide the instruments; all you need is a vision.

  580 Mass. Ave., Cambridge » 617-354-3636 » artistcraftsman.com

• Bike Shop

  Bikes Not Bombs

  Not many bicycle shops have a cogent philosophical code, but the principled staff at this Jamaica Plain institution believes that the more peaceful, benevolent life is the one lived on two wheels. In addition to providing Bostonians with a healthier, greener alternative for getting around the city, they do plenty of good in the community by hosting fund-raising bike drives and collecting donated bikes to give to underprivileged youth. Improving our bodies while bettering our society? That’s a philosophy we can abide.

  18 Bartlett Square, Jamaica Plain » 617-522-0226 » bikesnotbombs.org
• 

  Bookstore

  Harvard Book Store

  It’s a prime people-watching spot, sure, but the real fun to be had at this Harvard Square favorite is on the shelves. While so many other bookstores have yielded up the ghost, this indie institution keeps up a spirited defense against obsolescence, not by selling Blu-rays and toys, but through an astounding selection of titles, impressive guest speakers and a used section that's second-to-none.

  Photo credit: Dan Watkins

  1256 Mass. Ave., Cambridge » 617-661-1515 » harvard.com

• Catering

  Tables of Content

  Playing host to a dinner party of 50 relatives (or business associates or toddlers) can be intimidating enough, even without the ungodly nightmare of trying to cook and serve for a crowd. That’s when we call Tables of Content. With dishes like wood-grilled Niman Ranch lamb loins and a salad of French country duck confit, impressing your guests is the easiest item on your to-do list. The best part? They’re green-certified, so the desired impact on the plate will have little on the Earth.

  2 McCraw St., Roslindale » 617-363-0404 » tablesofcontent.com
• 

  Classes

  Boston Center for Adult Education

  This isn’t your typical adult ed program, and it wasn’t just the “Bubbly French Brunch" or “Stone Carving" courses that tipped us off. Since 1933, the Boston Center for Adult Education has been where open minds gather to learn basic skills and arcana alike. Founder Dorothy Hewitt imagined a place where a return to the classroom could be fun and free of apprehension. Sometime during our belly dance workshop, we realized that her vision had come true.

  Photo credit: Dan Watkins

  122 Arlington St., Boston » 617-267-4430 » bcae.org

• Courier Service

  City Express

  You lead a busy life, and sometimes it can be difficult to get things where they need to go quickly. What recommends City Express is their 24/7/365 service. With speed and professionalism, this team of couriers hand-delivers top-priority packages at all hours, and without fuss. When it absolutely has to get there, trust the man wearing a helmet.

  201 South St., Boston » 617-350-4000 » cityexp.com

• Dry Cleaning

  Holly Cleaners

  A spill on your oxford, a splash on your slacks, and you’re looking like a hot mess for that early-morning meeting. Holly Cleaners’ pick-up and delivery service caters to Boston and its immediate suburbs, so wherever you live, you’ll never have to suffer the indignities of ranch dressing. Fast and friendly, they take the point out of Tide pens.

  1314 Centre St., Newton » 617-527-0770; 290 Washington St., Wellesley Hills » 781-235-8738 » hollycleaners.com

• Florist

  Ilex Designs

  So, you’re in a fight with the significant other, and they happen to be dieting that week. Reparations made in chocolates will only extend your stay on the couch. It’s time for something soothing in lilies. Skip the supermarket arrangements and head to Ilex Designs, where attention to detail is apparent in even the smallest arrangement. And you won’t find a carnation in the bunch (unless you ask for one, of course).

  73 Berkeley St., Boston » 617-422-0300 » ilexflowers.com

• Furniture, Classic

  Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

  Furnishing a house properly requires crushing amounts of time, money and patience. Or you can just visit Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Their staff is well-trained and insightful, their selection is expansive and their prices won’t make you bury your head in the cushions. Should you do so anyway, note the regenerated fibers and soy-based biomaterials they use to keep their furniture eco-friendly. Even the glue is biodegradable. But rest assured that your new favorite chair will be around as long as you are.

  142 Berkeley St., Boston » 617-266-0075 » mitchellgoldboston.com

• Furniture, Modern

  BoConcept

  The collections flow magnificently from one showroom to the next, but all of them are ultra-modern, functional, comfortable and chic. Service here goes the extra length by offering in-home consultations, in which they visit your abode to take measurements and share swatches. The results can be measured by how far your jaw drops when you see your room’s revitalized look.

  999 Mass. Ave., Cambridge » 617-588-7777 » boconcept.us
• 

  Gifts

  Black Ink

  Black Ink is the sort of charming shop that attracts tourists and locals alike with gifts that are eclectic, whimsical and sometimes just plain weird. Does someone on your list need a Kewpie doll? How about custom wrapping paper or a pocket-sized map of the walking trails of Paris? Check out the cases shaped like slices of fruit, and even the most jaded soul will crack a smile at a soy sauce pitcher designed to look like a bird. They’re items you never knew you wanted, or knew existed, until you saw them.

  Photo credit: Alyssa Greenberg

  101 Charles St., Boston » 617-723-3883; 5 Brattle St., Cambridge » 617-497-1221 » blackinkboston.com
• 

  Outdoor Store

  Hilton’sTent City

  With all of the transition in the city’s West End, it’s hard to believe that Hilton’s Tent City hasn’t changed since the 1940s. The inside still resembles your grandfather's basement (sans the damp smell). It's stacked to the rafters with outdoor gear, from canoe bags to bug netting to winter jackets perfect for snowshoeing. Despite the inroads of bigger, shinier retailers, Hilton's is still our urban staging ground for rural adventures.

  Photo credit: Dan Watkins

  272 Friend St., Boston » 617-227-9242 » hiltonstentcity.com

• Parenting Store

  Isis Parenting

  Embarking on the great adventure of raising your young, you’re going to need training, equipment and, above all, near-divine assistance. Isis provides it all in the form of an exhaustive collection of pacifiers, potties and strollers, not to mention clothing for every stage of babyhood. On the educational end, they offer classes on childbirth, music and movement, and special courses just for dads. Parenting wisdom comes through experience; sanity stays with back-up.

  800 Boylston St., Boston » 781-429-1500 » isisparenting.com
• 

  Pet Boutique

  Fish & Bone

  Being a successful purveyor for “urban pets" requires style, usefulness and, above all, an authentic sense of cool. Fish & Bone has all these things, plus a bowl of doggie biscuits. Bring your favorite animal to browse the latest chew toys, carriers and collars, or stock up on all-natural pet foods and specialty snacks (like lobster dog treats, because Fido shouldn't have to skip the clambake).

  Photo credit: Dan Watkins

  217 Newbury St., Boston » 857-753-4176 » thefishandbone.com

• Shoe Repair

  Rinaldi’s

  Good cobblers are a dying breed. Among the few left in Boston is Frank Rinaldi, a maestro who can mend even the most downtrodden pair of Manolos. All work is done by hand at his Park Square shop, frequented by business types on lunch break and Back Bay wives looking to tune up their designer kicks. You can even get them to fix the straps on your favorite bag—because running around isn’t only about footwear.

  31 St. James Ave., Boston » 617-426-6480

• Ski and Snowboard

  East Coast Alpine

  Fresh powder is probably the last thing on your mind in July, but at East Coast Alpine, it’s always ski season. Their vast collection of apparel, boards and bindings can be overwhelming, but the staff of experts on hand will keep you from sliding mentally downhill. Don’t leave without checking out the selection of bicycles, with brands ranging from Kona to Torker.

  860 Comm. Ave., Boston » 617-232-9800 » eastcoastalpine.com

• Sporting Goods

  City Sports

  Boston’s got no shortage of fancy-schmancy exercise outfitters, but if you don’t want to give your credit card a workout, head to City Sports. With seven locations stocked with merchandise that’s functional, yet still pretty stylish, this is the sort of place that transcends silly trends. Hence, no denim yoga pants. There’s also the bonus of one-stop-shopping—pick up your cleats, batting gloves and eye black in a single swoop. Corporate softball has just met its new king.

  Multiple locations around Boston and Cambridge » citysports.com

• Tailor

  Best Fit Inc.

  If you’re going to name your store Best Fit Inc., you’d better back it up. Fortunately, the folks at this Newbury Street standby aren’t bluffing. Whether you’re a bride or a businessman, these supremely talented tailors nip and tuck with surgical precision, making sure you look your best in any garment. Owner Lyudmila Sletkova and her team attract some of the city’s poshest boutiques, like Intermix and Gretta Luxe.

  268 Newbury St., Boston » 617-266-4490 » bestfitinc.com

• Toy Store

  Stellabella

  This store brings us back to the days when morning meetings consisted of green army men and a Radio Flyer wagon. There are lots of adorable gifts, of course, but what’s most impressive is Stellabella’s knack for disguising learning tools as frivolous fun. Budding entrepreneurs can learn to create jewelry or greeting cards; future rockers can kick off their first tour with a Band in a Box set. The only real problem is that you always end up walking out with more than you bargained for.

  1360 Cambridge St., Cambridge » 617-491-6290; 1967 Mass. Ave., Cambridge » 617-864-6290; 6 Wayside Road, Burlington » 781-229-6290; Legacy Place, Dedham » 781-329-6290 » stellabellatoys.com