Gallery Kayafas
Owner Arlette Kayafas's gallery represents a broad cross-section of Boston art. There are works from established local icons—Jules Aarons's photos of the old West End, First Night founder Clara Wainwright's quilts. But Gallery Kayafas has come into its own as the place to see new queer visual art in Boston from Boston, with artists such as Jess Dugan, Caleb Cole, and A. B. Miner grappling with the fast-shifting politics and emotions of today as they shape the landscape of the future. 450 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118, gallerykayafas.com.
Children's Beach
As its name implies, Children’s is a pint-size beach perfect for the entire family and delightful in its proximity to the cobblestone streets of the historical downtown. Lifeguarded — and with restrooms! — the shoreline comes complete with a grassy park, a playground, a bandstand, and the Surf, a kid-friendly restaurant where your crew can eat grilled cheese and hot dogs to their heart’s content while watching the ferries come in and out of the harbor. We can almost guarantee everyone will fall asleep on the ride home. 15 Harbor Way, Nantucket, MA 02554, nantucket-ma.gov.
Winnetu Oceanside Resort
Like a 1950s summer camp, this iconic island property is equipped with fun for the whole family. There’s the country-club-esque swimming pool, extensive supervised kids’ programs (hello, date night), and rides in the hotel’s antique fire truck or jitney. Plus, Winnetu’s location is just spitting distance from the popular South Beach, guaranteeing a good time even if you choose to do absolutely nothing at all. 31 Dunes Rd., Edgartown, MA 02539, winnetu.com.
Cumar
Dramatic granite fireplaces. Soothing white-quartz vanities. Calacatta marble countertops. Whatever stone statement piece you envision for your home, you can rest assured that this Everett firm — which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year — not only carries the unique slab you need, but staffs the skilled craftspeople crucial to cutting and installing it correctly the first time. 69 Norman St., Everett, MA 02149, cumar.com.
Dan Gordon Landscape Architects
Dan Gordon doesn’t just consider how you’ll interact with your transformed yard while you’re ambling along new bluestone-stepper walkways, bordered by hydrangeas, or lounging poolside under the shade of freshly transplanted cherry trees; the landscape architect ponders how you’ll engage with your revamped terrain from inside your home, too, ensuring a seamless transition from interior to exterior space. dangordon.com.
Paul Butler and Kelcey Rusch, Spoke
The hopeful future of Boston dining — a generational shift toward collaboration over competition — can be glimpsed in the effortless teamwork that co-chefs Butler and Rusch bring to the kitchen at Somerville’s stellar Spoke wine bar. Besides pairing perfectly with the boutique vintages behind the bar, their inventive small plates (say, savory sunchoke doughnuts dusted with XO gouda and powdered leek) speak to a unified vision — hyper-seasonal, polished but playful, highly technique-driven — that is, in a word, singular. spokewinebar.com.
Joe Malaika
You could never accuse Joe Malaika of being dull. Showcasing bold prints, sequins, and cool asymmetrical cuts, the Ugandan-born designer’s pieces are some of the most vibrant (and sassy) ensembles you’ll find in the city. There are purple brocade suits for guys, floral-patterned sheaths for gals, and a whole lot of personality in all of it. 47 Magnolia St., Malden, MA 02148, joemalaika.com.
Ace Wheelworks
If anyone can convince parents to leave their gas-guzzling SUVs at home, it’s Ace Wheelworks, which has increasingly become a hub for Über-popular cargo bikes, those practical movers of kids and groceries alike. Plus, at a moment when kinks in the bike-part supply chain have made cycling more of a hassle, its large workshop staffed with true gearheads has been a lifeline for commuters on the move. Multiple locations, wheelworks.com.
Gustazo
Break free from your pizza rut with help from this teensy Cuban jewel in Waltham, which combines the warm service of an old-world café with decidedly modern touches—namely, an efficient takeout oper- ation offering dishes that pack a flavorful punch: husky Cubanos, savory empanadas (hot or frozen for later), and plantain chips with an herbaceous cilantro sauce that tastes like summer in a thimble. Beer and wine are available to take home, too, so you can wash it all down with a crisp bottle of Muscat. 240 Moody St., Waltham, MA 02453, gustazo-cubancafe.com/waltham.
M. Flynn
Sure, we’d all love to have the Hope Diamond in our jewelry box, but it’s those pieces we wear every day that become part of who we are — and nobody understands that better than M. Flynn founders and sisters Moria and Megan Flynn. Their impeccable taste, refined over more than a decade in business, is what keeps their loyal fan base coming back for bold, statement earrings, colorful bracelets, and everything in between. 40 Waltham St, Boston, MA 02118, mflynnjewelry.com.
Newbury Tailoring Company
Back Bay residents have long entrusted the Rivas family with their most precious items of clothing — and with decades of experience under their collective belts hemming, mending, and stitching, it’s no wonder. Bonus: The second-floor atelier is open five days a week from Tuesday to Saturday, which means you can pop in for a quick lunch-hour button repair or come by for a longer weekend wedding-dress fitting — or have them come to you for an in-home appointment. 324B Newbury St., Boston, MA 02115, newburytailors.com.
Laurel Wellness
Chakras out of whack? Crick in your back? Can’t seem to focus? Laura Corrigan is on the case. Offering appointments on Mondays at Ardan Medspa + Salon in Wellesley and the rest of the week from her home office in Newton, the well-trained healer is adept in a range of wellness modalities, including acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, reiki, and energy work. Whatever cocktail of services she cooks up, you’ll leave feeling relaxed, refreshed — and wondering why you didn’t start seeing her sooner. laurelwellness.com.
Ultra Safe Pest Management
We’ve all experienced it: the unmistakable squeak from inside a wall, those dreaded droppings on the kitchen counter, or — worse — a face-to-face encounter with an eight-legged or winged intruder. When bats, rats, spiders, termites, or other pests worm their way into your humble abode, call this fearless team pronto. Not only will they safely trap and remove the uninvited guests, they’ll also repair minor damage, decontaminate the site, and seal up potential reentry points to ensure your home remains trespasser-free. ultrasafepest.com.
Mauro's Painting
Mauro Henrique made his name on This Old House; now he makes sure homes across the area are camera-ready through his Somerville-based business, Mauro’s Painting. With a focus on restoration and a background in carpentry, he’s a dream combination of handyman and artisan, with a calm demeanor and attention to detail to match. Also, unlike many painters, Henrique doesn’t use subcontractors, which means you’ll get consistent quality in every space he and his team transform. maurospainting.com.
Saltie Girl
Quick, it’s 3 p.m. and you’re peckish from a grueling afternoon bolstering the Newbury Street economy. Where to pop in for pristine bivalves and a chilly glass of curated Chablis? Saltie Girl, open all day every day, is our favorite solution to the first-est of first-world problems. Here’s to the meticulous shuckery, the handy cheat sheets ("small, briny, cucumber"), and the ingenuity of eye-droppers for doling out hot sauce and bracing mignonette. 281 Dartmouth St., Boston, MA 02116, saltiegirl.com.