In the bustling city of Boston, Massachusetts, everywhere you look, there are glimpses of cars zooming past, commotion left and right, and towering buildings reaching for the sky. In Back Bay, Boston, an area renowned for its tourism, shopping centers, and recreational potential, is the street of Newbury.
Often referred to as just “Newbury,” maybe you have heard of the street from a classmate, while scrolling through Instagram stories, or having gone yourself. As mentioned in previous Blue & Gold articles, Newbury Street is home to renowned attractions such as Blank Street Coffee and Memory Shop. What makes this seemingly ordinary street such a popular landmark for commoners and foreigners alike?
Described as an eight-block shopping center, Newbury is known for its wide range of apparel, from high-end designer stores, such as Rolex, to comfy, casual wear, like Uniqlo. In addition to being an ideal location for clothes and accessories, its dining district is well known for offering meals of great sophistication to more affordable fast foods. However, if clothing and food are not exactly your preference, many other stores focus on random collectibles and memorabilia–such as Newbury Comics and MoreFun.
Various students found the stores Muji, Memory Shop, and Newbury Comics to be of high interest.
Freshman Katherine Jones expressed how she likes Muji for “the cute stationery.” Sophomores Meybelin Guadron and Hana Wanas expressed how they frequent Memory Shop because of the “wide variety of photobooths,” and the potential to “make memories.” Sophomore Vicky Ye described Newbury Comics as a place for “all the manga and the little trinkets.”
Junior Sofia Evoras mentioned how, due to the wide range of stores, “you can find things to your specific interest,” while also opening up the possibility of “finding new things each time.” For example, Malden High School alumna Manal Aboukhalil mentioned how stores like Muji, Tao’s, and Newbury Comics allow her to “get stationary, makeup, and other cute items” all while being in one area.
Additionally, junior Krystalyn Vo noted how on Sundays, “they don’t allow cars” through the street, which many businesses see as an opportunity to host giveaways for free items, which she found to be enjoyable.
Evidently, the street is known for its wide selection of stores, appealing to Boston’s diverse demographic. As if the street alone is not enough, Newbury borders the Boston Public Library, Hynes Convention Center, Prudential Center, and Copley Place, resulting in constant occupation in the Back Bay area.
In comparison to the humble town of Malden, known for its local family-run stores and overall mundane atmosphere, Boston stands out as a nice getaway for some excitement and adrenaline.
Many Maldonians–such as Vo–emphasized Back Bay to be “easily accessible through train.” From Malden Center, taking the orange line inbound via Forest Hills will easily commute to Back Bay, taking roughly 20-30 minutes. Not only is Newbury Street convenient, but sophomore Hana Wanas also highlighted how the commute to Boston is, overall, quite short.
Although busy crowds and hectic streets may not be your appeal, who knows, perhaps you could find yourself in a nearby store or restaurant, enjoying everything Newbury Street has to offer.
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