Where to Shop and Eat in Beacon Hill


Long the destination for discerning indie shoppers and antiques hounds alike, Charles Street continues to draw some of the city’s best boutiques. Ahead, all the retail news you need to know about this charming stretch (plus: where to nosh between sprees).

1. Kate and Theo

photograph by ruby wallace

photograph by ruby wallace

The showroom for Kate McCusker’s interior design firm, Theodore & Company, fulfills a lifelong dream: “I’ve loved this space since I was a little kid,” McCusker says. “It has a very Parisian feel to it and a huge window perfect for creating vignettes.” Inside, browse city-living essentials like Rani Arabella throws and handpainted ceramic urns.

96 Charles St., 617-227-1915, theodoreandcompany.com.

2. Fastachi

photograph by ruby wallace

photograph by ruby wallace

Follow your nose to this newcomer, where you’ll find assorted nuts, dry-roasted in steel drums. The aromatic shop—sister to the first Fastachi, in Watertown—also stocks craft chocolate, delicate dried fruits, nut butters (hazelnut, pistachio, and pecan, for starters), and gourmet hot cocoa mixes to take the winter’s edge off.

83 Charles St., 617-924-8787, fastachi.com.

3. December Thieves

photograph by ruby wallace

photograph by ruby wallace

In November, jewelry designer Lana Barakat opened the second outpost of her SoWa boutique in the former home of Good (now located at 133 Charles). While both locations showcase globally sourced treasures and share many of the same brands, the Beacon Hill shop boasts exclusives such as Fornasetti candles and L:A Bruket skin care.

88 Charles St., 617-982-6802, decemberthieves.com.

4. Dress

photograph by ruby wallace

photograph by ruby wallace

Owners Jane Schlueter and Martha Pickett carefully curate Dress’s selection of wardrobe staples (Anglophiles will be happy to know that the U.K.-based brand Whistles, favored by the Duchess of Cambridge, recently landed stateside here). The striking home goods, meanwhile, are handpicked by the store’s interior designer, Nina Farmer.

70 Charles St., 617-248-9910, dressboston.com.

5. Ceremony

photograph by ruby wallace

photograph by ruby wallace

Alix Childs reinvigorated the city’s bridal scene when she opened her boutique—stocked with gowns from under-the-radar designers—just over a year ago. Gala-bound women about town also book time here to try on sparkly Jennifer Behr hair vines, whimsical Twigs & Honey headpieces, and vintage-inspired Emmy London heels.

48 Charles St., 857-277-1669, ceremony-boston.com.

6. NRO Sport

photograph by ruby wallace

photograph by ruby wallace

This fall, North River Outfitter’s sporting-goods division, NRO Sport, moved into larger digs. Now old favorites (Patagonia, Helly Hansen, Thule) and new lines (Mischa Lampert, Kjus, Alp-n-Rock) share space with an expanded service area that offers same-day ski mounting and tuning. And, yes, that is a retro chairlift on display.

39 Charles St., 617-742-3900, northriveroutfitter.com.

7. Core de Vie

photograph by ruby wallace

photograph by ruby wallace

As if spa treatments, Gyrotonic and Pilates classes, and a retail space weren’t enough, this wellness center just expanded and rebranded its in-house skin-care line, U.Mi (the name blends the Japanese words for “beautiful” and “ocean”). Owners Ellen and Mark Comerford create the products from ingredients sourced responsibly from Nantucket.

40 Charles St., 617-720-0411, coredevie.com.

Also in the Neighborhood:

8. Beacon Hill Bistro: In May, chef Lucas Sousa took the helm of this quaint, French-inspired eatery. 25 Charles St., 617-723-7575, beaconhillhotel.com.

9. J.P. Licks: It’s not just frozen treats at this sweets mecca: The chainlet also roasts its own coffee beans. 150 Charles St., 857-233-2771, jplicks.com.

10. Tatte Bakery: Opening next month in the Café Vanille space, this shop will serve pastries, salads, and sandwiches. 70 Charles St., tattebakery.com.

11. Pressed: Attention, health nuts: Grab your fresh-squeezed juices and vegan nibbles here. 120 Charles St., 857-350-3103, pressedboston.com.

12. Agostino Salon: Need a new ’do? Visit the stylists at this chic, just-opened salon. 70 Charles St., 617-262-2029, agostinosalon.com.