Boston, MA
In-Store Only
Five shops where the experience is the real purchase.
M. Flynn’s South End boutique. / Photo by Brad Bahner, Kerrie Burke
M. Flynn, South End
The perk: Custom fused bracelets
At M. Flynn’s South End shop, buying a bracelet is a little more hands-on than usual—in the best possible way. In just a few minutes, a delicate chain is custom-fit and fused directly onto the wrist, no clasp required. It’s the kind of experience that’s especially fun with a friend (matching bracelets encouraged!) and results in an easy, everyday piece you don’t have to think twice about.
M. Flynn Jewelry, 40 Waltham St, Boston
Boston Ski + Tennis, Newton
The Perk: A ski and snowboard simulator
Missing the slopes already? Head to Boston Ski + Tennis, where the recently launched in-store simulator allows snowboarders and skiers to train and fine-tune their technique without ever leaving the shop. The coaching staff provides guidance to powder hounds of all levels throughout the experience, proving that even in this digital age, nothing beats the expertise of a real person.
Boston Ski + Tennis, 153 Needham St, Newton
Some of Olfactory NYC’s custom fragrances. / Courtesy photo
Olfactory NYC, Back Bay
The Perk: Custom perfume making
At Olfactory NYC, creating a signature scent is part science experiment, part indulgence. Inside the Newbury Street shop, you’ll sample, tweak, and fine-tune notes with help from scent specialists until the fragrance feels unmistakably yours, and head home with a bespoke fragrance.
A Golden Goose artist adds custom sparkle to a pair of kicks. / Courtesy photo
Golden Goose, Back Bay
The Perk: In-store sneaker customization
Golden Goose’s Co-Creation experience turns sneaker shopping into something far more personal. At the Copley Place boutique, customers can work with an in-house artisan to customize a new pair—adding sketches, crystals, studs, or even personal messages. The result is a one-of-a-kind take on a cult-favorite style.
Earrings by Three Stories Jewelry, which will be on hand for a piercing event at Gretta Luxe this spring. / Courtesy photo
Gretta Luxe, Wellesley
The Perk: In-store events with coveted brands
Here, it’s less about popping in and out, and more about showing up for whatever’s happening next. The designer boutique regularly hosts interactive events that let shoppers hang with reps of their favorite brands. Mark your calendar for May, when Three Stories Jewelry will headline a piercing event.
Police in Boston are searching for a missing 12-year-old girl from Dorchester.
La’Niya Johnson-Skinner was last seen Friday in the area of Mascot Street in Dorchester, police said Thursday.
She is described as a 4’10, 120-pound Black girl with medium brown skin and dark brown hair she wears in a bun, the Boston Police Department said.
When she was last seen, she was wearing a black Nike sweatshirt, a baby blue shirt with a Boston Renaissance Charter Public School logo, black leggings, brown sandals and a pink and black Elite backpack.
Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or 617-343-4712. Anonymous tips can also be left by calling 1-800-494-8477, by texting “TIP” to 27463, or by visiting the Boston Police Department’s website.
Brockton’s Moyzilla food truck offers up Asian comfort food on the go
Moyzilla is a jewel of MA food trucks. Founded by Jon Moy — son of Brockton culinary royalty — it offers Asian comfort food from Brockton to Boston.
Looking for a new marketplace to shop at this spring? You’re in luck – Boston is home to one of the best public markets in the country, according to USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards.
The annual 10BEST awards highlight the best in travel, food and lifestyle, and winners are chosen by a public voting poll after being nominated by industry experts. In the 2026 food awards, highlighting the top food tours, food cruises, farmers markets and more from across the country, Boston Public Market ranked third in the best public market category.
Here’s what to know before you go to Boston’s top-ranked public market.
Why Boston Public Market ranked third
A year-round indoor marketplace in Downtown Boston, Boston Public Market celebrates the bounty New England has to offer with fresh groceries, prepared meals, crafts and specialty items from over 30 local artisans and food producers, with a focus on seasonal items.
Along with browsing through groceries and goods, guests are invited to join the public market for a variety of special events, including trivia, live music, magic shows and face painting.
Boston Public Market is located at 100 Hanover St. on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, directly above the Haymarket MBTA station. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday or 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
What other markets made the list?
Here is USA TODAY’s full ranking of the top 10 public markets in the country:
- Reading Terminal Market – Philadelphia, PA
- Milwaukee Public Market – Milwaukee, WI
- Boston Public Market – Boston, MA
- Eastern Market – Detroit, MI
- West Side Market – Cleveland, OH
- Essex Market – New York City, NY
- Lancaster Central Market – Lancaster, PA
- Midtown Global Market – Minneapolis, MN
- Grand Central Market – Los Angeles, CA
- North Market Downtown – Columbus, OH
The Green Line B branch trains will not run between Kenmore and Boston College through April 30, according to the MBTA.
The nine-day outage will allow T officials to work on several infrastructure improvements and maintenance, the installation of Green Line Train Protection System (GLTPS) infrastructure, replacement of 130-year-old wooden overhead catenary wire “trough” near the Green Line portals and more.
The MBTA announced free, accessible shuttle buses between the two stops, Kenmore and Boston College during the outage. The buses will not stop at Griggs Street, Allston Street, and Packard’s Corner due to “accessibility issues,” T officials said.
During the weekend of April 25 and 26, the outage will extend through Copley, and shuttle buses will skip Griggs Street, Allston Street, and Packard’s Corner during the same weekend.
Throughout the shutdown all Green Line frequency will be reduced between Copley and Government center.
The MBTA urged riders to use the Orange Line at Back Bay during the outage. The agency also noted riders can transfer to Copley from Back Bay, an approximately five-minute walk.
The route 57 bus will also be free from April 22 through 24 and April 27 through 30 for alternate service between Kenmore and Packard’s Corner, the MBTA stated. During the April 25 and 26 weekend, the T noted the bus will not be a good alternate with not Green Line service at Kenmore.
During the shutdown, riders taking shuttle buses should budget extra travel time, the T said.
“For example, a rider travelling to Park Street from Boston College should budget at least an additional 10 minutes of travel in additional to their regular commute,” the MBTA stated.
More information is available on-site through transit ambassadors and T staff, virtually through T-Alerts or following the MBTA on X @MBTA, or via the mbta.com/GreenLine.
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