Shopping in the U.S.
By Brooke Comer
Bostonians were known, during the Victorian age, to be thrifty
-- reluctant to spend money on luxuries, and little concerned
with the whims of fashion. Those days are gone, as Bostonians
and their visitors spend freely and enjoy diverse and exotic
goods.
So much so that Boston today is famous for its shopping,
which runs the gamut from the upscale boutiques on Newbury
Street to bookish nooks in literary Cambridge, and a large
variety of antiques shops.
In 1909, Edward Filene opened Filene's Basement, where he
sold clothing so cheaply that the store did not make a profit
for ten years. Now it's a successful American chain, but the
original basement still stands in Boston's Washington Street
district.
A more traditional (that means expensive) Filene's exists
just above it, but head downstairs for bargains. The basement
can get crowded, and women have been known to disrobe in the
aisles in their haste to try on a bargain dress.
Across the street, you'll find a branch of New York's famous
department store Macy's, and nearby the Brattle book shop
offers fine rare books. Bibliophiles should also explore the
international collection at Schoenhof's Books in Cambridge
(76A Mt. Auburn).
Three restored 19th Century buildings in Marketplace Center
contain South Market, North Market and Quincy Market, which
is also the name used to refer to the entire complex. But
this historic facade near the waterfront now contains the
glitter of contemporary Hollywood, with the Disney Store and
similar shops.
From a shopping point of view, this is strictly a tourist
spot, though the marketplace café is a popular watering
hole for locals, who come to have a drink and listen to music.
At Christmas time, Marketplace Centre comes alive with holiday
cheer. You'll find an enormous decorated tree, plenty of Christmas
carols, and Father Christmas strolling about, handing out
sweets and receiving wish lists. Shop windows are specially
decorated to keep the hordes of shoppers riveted.
Newbury Street, called "Rodeo Drive East" after
the chic shopping area in Beverly Hills, extends from Arlington
Street at the posh Ritz Carlton Hotel to Tower Records on
Massachussets Street and is the major upscale shopping thoroughfare
in Boston.
 Here
you'll find high-end designer shops like Giorgio Armani and
Calvin Klein. On the funkier end of the spectrum, Mystery
Train Records has eclectic recycled music and at Bargain Box
you can expand your wardrobe with used Escada, Adolpho and
Liz Claiborne at big, big savings.
Newbury Street has a fabulous range of unusual and one-off
stores. The Society of Arts and Crafts is a great place to
find jewellery and handicrafts made by local artisans. And
if you don't want to dress like everybody else, try Allston
Beat, famous for alternative fashions. New age books and crystals
can be found at Trident Booksellers and Café, where
you can also sip a cup of restorative tea.
The Boston Art Center (54 Canal, between North End and Fleet
Center Sports Arena) offers three storeys of artistic wares
from more than 50 dealers. If you fall in love with an over-sized
painting, don't worry -- worldwide shipping can be arranged.
If you visit Boston in the winter, don't let the inevitable
snow and rain spoil your shopping outing: Copley Place at
Prudential Center is a sprawling, indoor shopping area with
more than 100 merchants, including upscale department stores
Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.
 If
you're looking for interesting used clothing, go to Allison's
Wonderland in Newton (101M Union), just beneath street level
on the pricey block near Newton Center, where couture designer
fashions that regularly retail for $2,000 can be found for
$175, while Gap jeans can be found for $15.
Big savings are also on offer at two outlet malls within
driving distance of Boston; about one hour southwest in Bourne,
Tanger Factory Outlet Center (001-603-436-6277) has a handful
of shops, while just 35 minutes outside Boston, Wrentham Village
Premium Outlets (I-495 North, Exit 15; 001-508-384-0600) features
an enormous selection of stores.
For Flights and Airfares to the U.S - click
here for the Travel Homepage.
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