Boston Authentic Shopping Guide

Local handicrafts and artisanal items to pick up on your trip

Confections
The New England Confectionery Company is the oldest multiline confection company in the country (1847); pick up a glassine-wrapped roll of the company’s signature melt-in-your-mouth NECCO Wafers at many stores around town.

Local Arts and Crafts
The retail gallery of the nation’s oldest nonprofit craft organization—The Society of Arts and Crafts—features handcrafted items from approximately 300 artists; hand-turned wood bowls, sculptural basketry, folk art, jewelry, glass, clay, and more. 175 Newbury Street; tel. +1 617 266 1810. www.societyofcrafts.org and www.craftboston.org.

Handcrafted Instruments
The William S. Haynes Company (12 Piedmont Street; www.wmshaynes.com) has been handcrafting fine silver and gold flutes, as well as platinum flutes and piccolos in exotic wood, in Bay Village for well over 100 years. Trials by appointment only.

Italian Pastries
Head to Mike’s Pastry (300 Hanover Street; www.mikespastry.com) in the heart of Boston’s Italian North End for a box of fresh (baked each day) cannoli artfully packed in Mike’s distinctive white boxes with signature blue crown logo.

Jewelry and Gifts
The Artful Hand Gallery (36 Copley Place; www.artfulhandgallery.com) offers original, handcrafted jewelry, intricately designed blown glassware and furniture, and other one-of-a-kind pieces—some created by local artisans.

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