Table of Contents

This guide to shopping in Allston doesn’t list the mainstream commerce like Staples, Payless Shoes and Stop ‘n Shop. That stuff can be found in ANY town. It also doesn’t list every single convenience store from the Tedeschi on the corner of Harvard and Brighton to the Tedeschi on the corner of Harvard and Commonwealth. Instead, this is a list of some of the more interesting, cooler places that help define Allston Rock City and make it a colorful neighborhood.

Thrift / Vintage / Consignment

The Alter Eco - 244 Brighton Avenue, 617-779-7355

Cheap Chic - 116 Harvard Avenue, 617-783-1227

Cheap Chic is lite on clothes and books, heavy on furniture, kitchen appliances and glassware, and tons of CDs and DVDs. They take credit cards, and they deliver!

Urban Renewals - 122 Brighton Avenue, 617-783-8387

Urban Renewals has the most clothes and shoes of any other thrift store in Allston. They accept cash only, there’s an ATM in the store, and they’re open until 8pm on Thursdays.

RESCUE (CLOSED MAY 2010) - 252 Brighton Ave http://www.rescuebuyselltrade.com

Goodwill - 965 Commonwealth Avenue http://www.facebook.com/pages/THE-GOODWILL-OF-COMMONWEALTH-AVENUE/352476869609

Women's Stuff

Aaron International - 244 Brighton Avenue http://www.aaroninternational.com

African dress and fabrics including laces, headties, wax prints, guipure blouses and linen suits.

A.W.O.L. - 190 Harvard Avenue http://awolboston.com

Urban kicks and caps and jerseys.

Designer’s Circus - 1 Braintree Street http://www.designerscircus.com

Designer’s Circus gets thumbs way up for carrying only unique, artist-created clothing made by independent designers. Dress from the Circus and you’ll never see anyone wearing what you’ve got on...however, it’s hard to catch them open, they have extremely short hours, closing for entire seasons. Get on the mailing list and pounce when they open the doors!

Pixi Accessories (CLOSED MARCH 2010) - 175 Harvard Avenue

Flashy baubles and knock-offs from Chinatown.

Coco Cosmetics & Fashions - 185 Harvard Avenue, 617-782-1547

Coco carries bags, hats, accessories and very tiny, trendy clothes...no cosmetics.

Funky Clothes and Gifts

Buried Treasures - 377 Cambridge Street, 617-782-191

ELT (Every Little Thing) - 163 Harvard Avenue, 617-782-2669

Horror Business - 77 Harvard Avenue http://horrorbusiness.biz

New England Comics - 131 Harvard Avenue http://www.newenglandcomics.com

Ritual Arts - 153 Harvard Avenue, 617-787-4157

Stingray Body Art - 386 Cambridge Street http://www.stingraybodyart.com

Urban Outfitters - 226 Harvard Avenue http://www.urbanoutfitters.com

Sports and Outdoors

International Bicycle Center - 89 Brighton Avenue http://www.internationalbike.com

Home Furnishings

Basics Carpet & Furniture - 151 Harvard Avenue http://www.basiccarpetandfurniture.com

College Furniture & Rug - 137 Harvard Avenue http://www.collegefurniturecheap.com

Sleepy’s - 128 Brighton Avenue http://www.sleepys.com

Thrift / Vintage / Consignment

Women's Stuff

Funky Clothes and Gifts

Sports and Outdoors

Home Furnishings

Index