Noa, on Charles Street, Specializes in New England-Made Goods

Owner calls new store "the farmers' market of retail."

When Ian and Barbara Scofidio were looking for a place to relocate their Groton-based artisanal gift shop, noa, they wanted a place that hadn't been overrun by chain stores but rather valued independent retailers. Charles Street, they said, stood out as a "genuine Main Street" in the city. Today marks one month since noa opened its doors at 88 Charles St., where Good used to be.  "A whole new group of retailers are choosing Charles Street because of Beacon Hill residents' support of local retail – and shoppers are noticing the new vibe alone what used to be antiques row," Barbara Scofidio said in an email "The reception has been almost magical," Ian Scofidio said at noa Thursday. "We are just so thrilled to be here. We never imagined we …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Tuesday Window Shopping

A Few Standout Offers on Charles Street

Check out these displays and discounts without leaving home.

We walked the street for you, taking a look in the windows and seeing who is offering sales on what. Take a look to see what we found! We'll start with new notable sales and displays and then go through continuing sales.

• Photos (6)

Ross: Charles Street Shouldn't Have More First-Floor Banks

City Councilor Mike Ross said Charles Street on Beacon Hill is an example of a business district where retail is being strangled by too many street-level banks.

Clusters of banks can strangle the retail vitality of certain Boston streets, warned City Councilor Mike Ross. Ross said Charles Street is an example where too many "big box banks" are buying up storefronts at inflated prices mom and pop shops can't afford. The resulting row of banks deadens what could be lively retail zones. "It’s not right for every street to make this 'No Bank First Floor' zoning change, but I believe it’s right for Charles Street on Beacon Hill," said Ross, who represents District 8. Ross said that banks close at 5 p.m. and aren't open on weekends, all of which has a deadening effect for the neighborhood businesses. He made his remarks at Wednesday's City Council meeting. The matter will be taken up by the Committee on…

• Photos (1)

Tuesday Window Shopping

Getting Ready for Spring on Charles Street

Check out these sales and specials without leaving home.

We walked the street for you, taking a look at who is offering sales on what. Flip through the photos to see what's on offer.

• Photos (29)

Beacon Hill Framery to Leave Charles Street

Long-time Beacon Hill business to move to an attractive space in the Innovation District.

After 21 years on Charles Street, Beacon Hill Framery will close by the end of the month to move to a large new space in the Innovation District.  For less than half the rent she pays at her small shop at 107 Charles St., owner Victoria Spoor will be getting more than three times the space in a pristine building in Fort Point. She opens at 840 Summer St., Suite 305, on March 1. "I'm so excited about it. It's going to be such a great space," said Victoria Spoor, who bought the business three years ago.  The decision to move came at the end of January, after rent negotiations with the landlord fell through. She had a month to find a space and one of her customers, who happens to be the administrator of the federal Small Business …

• Photos (1)

Weigh in: Is The Character Of Charles Street Eroding or Getting Better?

A boutique owner says she's shuttering her business because of challenges she faces on Charles Street. Do you think this closure is one part of a bigger trend?

"There's no way to survive doing commerce in that neighborhood," boutique owner and clothing designer Sara Campbell said of Charles Street in a recent Patch article on the closing of her Charles Street boutique, Sara Campbell.  She also said: After the first block, it just becomes a rambling of assorted stuff.  You don't need seven nails salons, you need two ... You need more stores like the darling little chocolate shops. It was supposed to be a neighborhood shopping street. I feel bad for Charles Street because it was so special, it was such a special street to shop, and now it's eroding. Other stores on the street are closing or have closed already, including  Cibeline, Judith Dowling & Polly Latham Asian Art, Leslie Linsley Nantucket …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

What's Going Right on Charles Street

Amid news that some small businesses are closing, John Corey points out what the street is doing well.

Despite the news of several small shops leaving Charles Street, Joint Charles Street Co-Chair John Corey says it's not "all gloom and doom." Below is a list he sent to Beacon Hill Patch about positive developments on the street: There are lots of exciting things happening on Charles Street and more to come with enhanced cooperation between the residents, business owners and of course the City of Boston. Here are a few of the recent developments:   

•  2 Comments
• Photos (5)

Sara Campbell: Charles Street is a Tough Place for a Small Boutique

Her other shops are thriving, but the designer said it's just too difficult to succeed on the Hill.

After less than two years on Charles Street, Boston designer Sara Campbell has decided to close her store amid what she describes as a very hard environment for small businesses.  "It's been a disappointment," Campbell said of the Beacon Hill store. "There's no way to survive doing commerce in that neighborhood." The store's last day is Feb. 18.  Campbell's other stores – the flagship boutique in the South End, the others in Wellesley, Concord and Hingham – are thriving, she said. Campbell is even opening a new store outside of Chicago and eyeing spots in Greenwich, Conn., and Palm Beach, Fla. She also has season stores in Nantucket and Newport, R.I. But Beacon Hill has been exceedingly difficult. "I threw everything at it. It's my least …

• Photos (4)

Association Board Backs Local Businesses on Charles Street

Board voted against plan to move Capital One into 62-66 Charles, supports proposal to make all first floor commercial zoning conditional.

Showing a strong allegiance to its residents and local businesses, the Beacon Hill Civic Association unanimously passed two motions designed to control commercial growth along Charles and Cambridge streets. The votes were made at Monday night’s meeting, the board's first of 2012. Zoning and Licensing Committee co-chair Tom Clemens spent the first half of his report discussing the ongoing battle over a Capital One bank moving into 62-66 Charles St.—a storefront occupied by the popular Charles Street Market. In order to move in, Linear Realty Properties applied for a “change of conditional use” permit, which would reclassify the location from a convenience store to bank. “There was a high level of support—and virtually unanimous support from…

• Photos (1)

JP Licks Signs Charles Street Lease

The Boston ice cream company now looks for the approval of the zoning board and the Beacon Hill Civic Association.