Salem Street: Select Boutiques, Restaurants and Small Shops

It’s not the biggest thoroughfare in the North End but Salem Street is just as important as any other spot in this community.

There are a number of places to eat including Pauli’s at 65 Salem Street and La Galleria 33.

La Galleria 33, recognized for its good food and appearance on Fox’s ‘Kitchen Nightmares’ last fall, is a well-know destination at 125 Salem Street.

Owners and sisters Rita and Lisa DiPietrantonio said it was an excellent experience to have Chef Gordon Ramsay come into their restaurant with his crew and advise them on how to run an even better dining establishment.

If you need a haircut, there are several barbers to choose from such as Boston Barber Company located at 113 Salem Street and Barberia Italia a few steps away at 167.

Fashionistas flock to this area for the boutiques including Shake The Tree and Ensemble – just to name a few.

If you’re looking for unusual furniture, stop by ACQUIRE at 61 Salem Street where you’ll also find jewelry, clothing handbags and home furnishings.

Perhaps you have a hankering for a cupcake or cookie. If that’s the case, definitely visit Lulu’s Sweet Shoppe at 57 Salem Street.  When you walk inside, it’s difficult to know what to look at first.

There’s a counter filled with cupcakes, cookies and cakes. On a back wall, there’s a display of candy.

In fact, the entire shop is a feast for the eyes with its pretty colors and nostalgic, old-fashioned furnishings.

Owner Sandy Russo opened the shop on Valentine’s Day in 2010. She started the shop on Hanover Street in 2003 and then moved to the current location.

“I started Lulu’s Sweet Shoppe in 2003 on Hanover Street and then I moved here to 57 Salem Street,” she said. “I opened a satellite shop (in the Financial District at 20 Winthrop Lane) on August 9, 2012.”

Tucked away in a corner, there’s Polcari’s Coffee at 105 Salem Street.

Owner Bobby Eustace and his cousin, Nicky Labonte, run the shop.

Polcari’s Coffee sells coffee, tea and over 150 herbs and spices.

At the counter, there’s a 106-year-old scale for measuring coffee beans.

In addition, you can buy nuts, crackers, olive oil, canned goods, seeds for growing vegetables and a wide variety of candy.

Editor’s note: This is part of a series highlighting business establishments in the North End.