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15 New and Improved Stores to Keep on Your Radar

By Susie Kostaras
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By Susie Kostaras

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Spring is more than a time for renewal of our flowerbeds, waxing regimens, and pool memberships—it's also a time for the retail scene to turn a new leaf. The last couple months and the next few ahead are jam-packed with store openings, brands both new to Boston and others who are simply getting a facelift. These 15 new shopping additions are the ones to definitely keep on your radar.


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1. Pendleton Woolen Mills Outlet

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Assembly Row
Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 623-0418
(617) 623-0418
Visit Website
The (mega) Outlets at Assembly Row are poised to finally open late this month, introducing retailers like Saks Off Fifth that we would otherwise have to drive to the 'burbs to shop. One of the more niche brands we're pumped to see there is Pendleton Woolen Mills, the Oregon-based heritage label built on woven textiles and Native American-inspired prints. Promotional events are scheduled from May 29 through June 1.

2. Uniqlo

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1 Faneuil Hall Square, Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Boston, MA 02109
Visit Website
Uniqlo's Boston expansion plans have been a nail-biting guessing game all year, so when they announced the opening dates of six area stores last week—it was a big deal. The region's first taste of this Japanese fast fashion powerhouse will be a pop-up shop at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, kicking off in early July. Then as soon as August 29, Uniqlo will set up shop in the Natick Mall and the Mall at Chestnut Hill.

3. Kate and Theo

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96 Charles Street
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 227-1915
(617) 227-1915
Visit Website
Though it opened right before the holidays, spring on Charles Street brings fresh eyes to the colorful, modern styled windows at home boutique Kate and Theo. The family-owned interior design firm decked out a split-level store space in leopard carpet, hand screened wallpaper, and an eclectic (surprising well-priced) mix of home goods and custom furniture. A particularly Boston specialty is small apartment living and multitasking pieces that meet organizational needs.

4. Anne Fontaine

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280 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 423-0366
(617) 423-0366
Visit Website
The Heritage on the Garden, a stately building overlooking the Public Garden, is transforming all year long with an Hermès expansion and new Bottega Veneta on board. First up though is a remodeled concept store from current tenant, Anne Fontaine. The 950 square foot space is designed by French architect Gabriel Kowalski with a white and gilded palette to highlight ready-to-wear and accessories, especially Fontaine's embellished collars.

5. Tiffany & Co.

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5 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
Visit Website
Taking over the former Chanel boutique on the Taj Boston's first floor, Tiffany & Co. recently wrapped the windows with glittering jewels and its signature robin egg blue. Folks, you'll need to wait until fall to explore this one.

6. Dolce & Gabbana

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11 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
Visit Website
Just down the block, iconic Italian luxury label Dolce & Gabbana has plastered its name on the space below SalonCapri and across the Street from Chanel. Other than "Opening Soon," there is no hint of when it will actually welcome customers into its doors.

7. Valentino

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47 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 578-0300
(617) 578-0300
Visit Website
Valentino is no stranger to this swanky first block of Newbury Street, but its presence has been hushed as it undergoes a renovation. The store barricade claims it will reopen this month.

8. Vince

Copy Link
71 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
Visit Website
Vince is pushing its lifestyle concept in Boston this year with the addition of two stores to complement the current Copley Place storefront. Newbury Street is intended as the brand's flagship, opening late May with an expanded women's and men's collections (as it moves beyond the core knits and basics categories)—as well as its pending children's launch.

9. Nike Boston

Copy Link
200 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-3400
(617) 267-3400
Visit Website
On Boston Marathon weekend, Nike ushered shoppers into its updated 30,000 square foot, two-level former Niketown space. Reclaimed design elements (high school gym flooring and bleacher walls) play with Boston-specific installations that speak to our city's sports iconography. From a runners' lounge that serves its multiple weekly Run Clubs to expert sports bra fittings and hemming services, Nike's new concept is a one-stop-shop for fitness needs.

10. Kate Spade Saturday

Copy Link
800 Boylston Street, The Shops at the Prudential Center
Boston, MA 02199
(617) 587-9867
(617) 587-9867
Visit Website
Having opened earlier this month, Kate Spade Saturday injects some color to The Shops at Prudential Center with a design championing the weekend-loving girl. The laid-back label hits a lower price point than sister brand Kate Spade, with totable leather goods, bold graphic apparel, and savvy tech accessories (they even have an in-store phone charging station!).

11. Asics

Copy Link
328 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02115
Visit Website
Later this summer Japanese footwear-focused label Asics will join mega brands like Converse, Puma, and Nike on Newbury Street. The two-level space will be the first Asics store in Massachusetts.

12. room and board

Copy Link
375 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02115
Visit Website
Room & Board has been prepping its multi-level New England store (nearly 40,000 square feet) for several seasons, finally planning to open early summer and showcase its modern American-made furniture and accessories. The historic building has been restored with architectural firm Gensler's Minneapolis office and Boston-based The Architectural Team.

13. Olives & Grace

Copy Link
623 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 236-4536
(617) 236-4536
Visit Website
We love seeing neighborhood boutiques blossom, which is why the Olives & Grace upgrade to a bigger Tremont Street storefront is so exciting. The small batch artisan shop charms with gourmet foodstuffs, candles, handmade gifts, and cocktail accoutrements, often inviting local vendors to host tastings and meet-and-greets.

14. Bluemercury

Copy Link
33 Boylston Street
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Visit Website
Bluemercury has plotted Massachusetts domination when it comes to multi-brand high end beauty retail. The company's rapid expansion is huddled around shopping developments delivering a Main Street experience in the suburbs—a movement propagated by projects like The Street in Chestnut Hill. This store will open in June with its beloved mix of Laura Mercier, NARS, Trish McEvoy, Oribe, and more, including founder Marla Malcolm Beck's own M-61 skincare line.

15. Ku De Ta

Copy Link
33 Boylston Street
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Visit Website
South Boston boutique Ku De Ta will make its first expansion to The Street with an 800 square foot space featuring tufted pink walls and unique video screens streaming fashion shows. The brand lineup will feature 70 designers, elevating the product mix while still staying true to the flirty, affordable finds its known for in the original shop. Local labels will also be on display, including jewelry designers Samantha Faye and Kendra Phillip, d'andrea handbags, and apparel from Venni Caprice and Lily & Migs.

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1. Pendleton Woolen Mills Outlet

Assembly Row, Somerville, MA 02145
The (mega) Outlets at Assembly Row are poised to finally open late this month, introducing retailers like Saks Off Fifth that we would otherwise have to drive to the 'burbs to shop. One of the more niche brands we're pumped to see there is Pendleton Woolen Mills, the Oregon-based heritage label built on woven textiles and Native American-inspired prints. Promotional events are scheduled from May 29 through June 1.
Assembly Row
Somerville, MA 02145
(617) 623-0418
Visit Website

2. Uniqlo

1 Faneuil Hall Square, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA 02109
Uniqlo's Boston expansion plans have been a nail-biting guessing game all year, so when they announced the opening dates of six area stores last week—it was a big deal. The region's first taste of this Japanese fast fashion powerhouse will be a pop-up shop at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, kicking off in early July. Then as soon as August 29, Uniqlo will set up shop in the Natick Mall and the Mall at Chestnut Hill.
1 Faneuil Hall Square, Faneuil Hall Marketplace
Boston, MA 02109
Visit Website

3. Kate and Theo

96 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114
Though it opened right before the holidays, spring on Charles Street brings fresh eyes to the colorful, modern styled windows at home boutique Kate and Theo. The family-owned interior design firm decked out a split-level store space in leopard carpet, hand screened wallpaper, and an eclectic (surprising well-priced) mix of home goods and custom furniture. A particularly Boston specialty is small apartment living and multitasking pieces that meet organizational needs.
96 Charles Street
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 227-1915
Visit Website

4. Anne Fontaine

280 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116
The Heritage on the Garden, a stately building overlooking the Public Garden, is transforming all year long with an Hermès expansion and new Bottega Veneta on board. First up though is a remodeled concept store from current tenant, Anne Fontaine. The 950 square foot space is designed by French architect Gabriel Kowalski with a white and gilded palette to highlight ready-to-wear and accessories, especially Fontaine's embellished collars.
280 Boylston Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 423-0366
Visit Website

5. Tiffany & Co.

5 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116
Taking over the former Chanel boutique on the Taj Boston's first floor, Tiffany & Co. recently wrapped the windows with glittering jewels and its signature robin egg blue. Folks, you'll need to wait until fall to explore this one.
5 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
Visit Website

6. Dolce & Gabbana

11 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116
Just down the block, iconic Italian luxury label Dolce & Gabbana has plastered its name on the space below SalonCapri and across the Street from Chanel. Other than "Opening Soon," there is no hint of when it will actually welcome customers into its doors.
11 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
Visit Website

7. Valentino

47 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116
Valentino is no stranger to this swanky first block of Newbury Street, but its presence has been hushed as it undergoes a renovation. The store barricade claims it will reopen this month.
47 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 578-0300
Visit Website

8. Vince

71 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116
Vince is pushing its lifestyle concept in Boston this year with the addition of two stores to complement the current Copley Place storefront. Newbury Street is intended as the brand's flagship, opening late May with an expanded women's and men's collections (as it moves beyond the core knits and basics categories)—as well as its pending children's launch.
71 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
Visit Website

9. Nike Boston

200 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116
On Boston Marathon weekend, Nike ushered shoppers into its updated 30,000 square foot, two-level former Niketown space. Reclaimed design elements (high school gym flooring and bleacher walls) play with Boston-specific installations that speak to our city's sports iconography. From a runners' lounge that serves its multiple weekly Run Clubs to expert sports bra fittings and hemming services, Nike's new concept is a one-stop-shop for fitness needs.
200 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 267-3400
Visit Website

10. Kate Spade Saturday

800 Boylston Street, The Shops at the Prudential Center, Boston, MA 02199
Having opened earlier this month, Kate Spade Saturday injects some color to The Shops at Prudential Center with a design championing the weekend-loving girl. The laid-back label hits a lower price point than sister brand Kate Spade, with totable leather goods, bold graphic apparel, and savvy tech accessories (they even have an in-store phone charging station!).
800 Boylston Street, The Shops at the Prudential Center
Boston, MA 02199
(617) 587-9867
Visit Website

11. Asics

328 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02115
Later this summer Japanese footwear-focused label Asics will join mega brands like Converse, Puma, and Nike on Newbury Street. The two-level space will be the first Asics store in Massachusetts.
328 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02115
Visit Website

12. room and board

375 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02115
Room & Board has been prepping its multi-level New England store (nearly 40,000 square feet) for several seasons, finally planning to open early summer and showcase its modern American-made furniture and accessories. The historic building has been restored with architectural firm Gensler's Minneapolis office and Boston-based The Architectural Team.
375 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02115
Visit Website

13. Olives & Grace

623 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02118
We love seeing neighborhood boutiques blossom, which is why the Olives & Grace upgrade to a bigger Tremont Street storefront is so exciting. The small batch artisan shop charms with gourmet foodstuffs, candles, handmade gifts, and cocktail accoutrements, often inviting local vendors to host tastings and meet-and-greets.
623 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 236-4536
Visit Website

14. Bluemercury

33 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Bluemercury has plotted Massachusetts domination when it comes to multi-brand high end beauty retail. The company's rapid expansion is huddled around shopping developments delivering a Main Street experience in the suburbs—a movement propagated by projects like The Street in Chestnut Hill. This store will open in June with its beloved mix of Laura Mercier, NARS, Trish McEvoy, Oribe, and more, including founder Marla Malcolm Beck's own M-61 skincare line.
33 Boylston Street
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Visit Website

15. Ku De Ta

33 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
South Boston boutique Ku De Ta will make its first expansion to The Street with an 800 square foot space featuring tufted pink walls and unique video screens streaming fashion shows. The brand lineup will feature 70 designers, elevating the product mix while still staying true to the flirty, affordable finds its known for in the original shop. Local labels will also be on display, including jewelry designers Samantha Faye and Kendra Phillip, d'andrea handbags, and apparel from Venni Caprice and Lily & Migs.
33 Boylston Street
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Visit Website