Boston’s Legacy Businesses
Certain places make Boston, Boston. They are so unique that no other city in the world has places quite like them. These are Boston’s Legacy Businesses. We want to know what Boston businesses you think are neighborhood-defining. What are the places you can’t imagine the city without?
The character of a place rests in more than the physical architecture. People make memories, not buildings and Boston’s Legacy Businesses are the retainers of neighborhood identity and generations worth of memories.
Tell us what stories you want told and what places you think matter. Whether it’s your favorite bar, your favorite park, bears carved in stone, or hidden stairs on a hillside, we want to know.
We’ve received numerous responses of establishments and if one thing is certain, this list makes us want to get out and explore the city and support these historic and unique shops.
Here is the list submitted and curated by you, the people of Boston. Use the map above to find your favorite spot, or click on a category to read more about the history of each place submitted. If you want to add a place, email us admin@bostonpreservation.org and we’ll add it to this list.
*marks the businesses that have closed
Pubs
- Beacon Hill Pub
- Brendan Behan Pub
- Bus Stop Pub*
- Cask n Flagon
- Eire Pub
- Kelleher’s
- Mr. Dooley’s
- Murphy’s Law
- Polish American CItizens Club
- Sullivan’s Tap
- The Boston Eagle
- The Haven
- The Jeanie Johnston Pub
- The Red Hat
- The Seven’s Ale House
- The Shamrock
- The Tam
- Warren Tavern
- Woody’s
- 21st Amendment
Markets
Activities and Sites
- Central Park Lanes Bowling
- Chez-Vous
- Hotel Buckminster*
- Fenway Park
- Parker House Hotel
- South Boston Candlepin
- The Steaming Tea Kettle
- Wally’s
Shops and Services
- Angell Memorial Hospital
- A.T. Johnson Printers
- Bay State Coin
- Boomerangs
- Brattle Book Shop
- Broadway Lock
- Bromfield Camera
- Bromfield Pen Shop
- Charles Street Supply
- Community Bike Boston
- Dorothy’s Costume Boutique*
- E. B. Horn Jewelers
- Fran’s Auto
- Gary Drug Co
- Harold’s Barbershop
- Harvard Book Store
- Helen’s Leather
- Jacques Cabaret
- Johnson’s Paints
- L.J. Peretti Tobacco
- Maria’s*
- MARR Companies
- Motor Mart Garage
- Newbury Comics
- Nugget’s Records
- Ottavio’s Barber Shop
- Polcari’s Coffee
- Ruggiero’s Market
- Shreve Crump and Low Jewelry
- Skippy White’s Records
- Stadium Auto Body Inc
- Trident Booksellers and Cafe
Restaurants and Cafes
- Amrheins
- Banh Mi Ba Le
- Bella Luna & The Milky Way*
- Boston Sail Loft
- Bova’s Bakery
- Capitol Coffee House
- Charlie’s Sandwich Shoppe
- China Pearl
- Club Cafe
- Darryl’s Corner Bar and Kitchen
- Delux Cafe
- Doughboy Donuts & Deli
- Doyle’s Cafe*
- Eldo Cake House
- Fornax Bread Company
- Galleria Umberto
- Galley Diner
- Galway House
- Haley House
- Halftime Pizza
- Harry’s Cheese and Cold Cuts
- Harvard Gardens
- Jacob Wirth Co*
- Jim’s Deli
- JJ Foley’s
- Joseph’s Bakery
- JP Licks
- Marliave
- Merengue
- McKenna’s
- Midway Café
- Mike’s Pastry
- Modern Pastry
- Mul’s Diner*
- Pino’s Pizza
- Pleasant Café
- Regina’s Pizza
- Rondo’s Submarine Sandwiches
- Santarpio’s
- Seapoint
- Slades Bar and Grill
- South Street Diner
- Twin Donuts
- Union Oyster House
- Vejigantes
- Victoria’s Diner
- Simco’s
- Sullivan’s Castle Island
- 75 Chestnut
We want this list to keep growing and we will continue to update it as more recommendations stream in. Share your favorites with the tags #PreservationHub and #SaveMyBoston. Not on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter? No problem! Send us an email at admin@bostonpreservation.org.