Oak

When I go out of town, I love shopping at small, independent boutiques because that’s where you can get the most unique things in addition to helping local artists. At Oak, they have cute, unique, handmade looking gifts. They have a lot of cute accessories and purses here. The clothes they sell here are cute too (they had these sailor-​looking swimsuits and dresses that were totally adorable), but not my style unfortunately. If I lived in Boston, I could definitely see myself coming here the second I got my monthly paycheck.

Picking up that MAP Boston planner for $ 5.00 at B&N was the best decision I made last year. Or one of them.
Either way, it provided me a massive checklist of new places to check out, and it lead me to Oak. And THANK GOD, now I know where to get presents that instead of only LOOKING unique, really ARE unique. And there’s a difference.
Hand-​stamped towels with lobsters, boats, and cupcakes? Expecto Patronum necklaces? Some non-​loser graphic tees? Handmade baby clothes? Original jewelry? This place just became my new favorite gift store, and I don’t know if I can go back to any of the old ones again. So easy, so well stocked, so well worth it in price vs. me trying to find similarly cool items on Etsy, then waiting & paying shipping. The vast breadth of items and price ranges is another huge plus – I picked up a necklace for $ 10.00, there were little items for less than that, and super-​cool items for much more than that. In all, it’s a fantastic place for any budget.

When I walked to the tiny store front on Gloucester Street and saw a «For Lease» sign in the window, my heart sank. I quickly texted my roommate with the sad news, figuring a store like Oak would just be another casualty of the economy. However, she did some quick research on her iPhone, and found out that they had just moved! Crisis averted!
At first I balked at spending so much, but the items here are truly unique, and I think it’s worth spending a little more not to look like every other person window-​shopping on Newbury. Everything I have bought here has been a beautiful, personalized item, and has held up very well. The space is tiny, and the glare was so intense that I had trouble seeing some of the items, but the owner is very friendly.

OAK moved!
They’re now at 245 Newbury St (next to Boloco)
Why did I have to find this out the hard way? After cycling through last week’s snow only to find the old one shut and me yell «NoooOOOOOO!» and then aimlessly wonder for a day looking for somewhere ¹⁄₁₀^th as good. And now I find it today, and it was too late. ;_​_​;
And did I find anywhere ¹⁄₁₀^th as good? IMPOSSIBLE. ¹⁄₁₀^th of infinity is still infinity. And OAK is INFINITY good. It’s cool, unique, good value and now the best shop for gifts on the whole of Newbury St.

This place has a lot of great things to offer, and I love how almost everything is made of recycled material. They have the cutest things, from iPod holders shaped like sharks to Scrabble letter tiles fashioned into a necklace. They even have a huge bag made of recycled sails!
The problem I had with Oak is that the space is really small, and there isn’t much room to walk around if there are more than two or three people in the store. I kept knocking things over with my big feet, and a lot of my time in here was picking up things I knocked over.
The other problem I had with Oak was its exorbitant pricing. I mean, that recycled ring made of glass plate shards is beautiful and would look awesome on my gal pal, but I don’t think I would shell out $ 35 for it, y’know?
It’s a great place with great ideas, but it’s too pricey for me. However, there is always something quirky and cute to take home, if you can afford it.

I sell my jewelry at OAK, so it might be easy to think I’m biased, but I’m also a lover of all things local and handmade, so I’ll be writing about two different experiences.
First, as a shopper at OAK: I love the merchandise, but do sometimes feel that the prices are a teensy bit high. I’m a grad student and on a budget, so my shopping funds are pretty limited. That said, however, the merchandise is beautiful, and most of the friends I’ve brought in here have either bought something or come back later. There is also a range in prices, so I’m sure anyone could find something in a reasonable price range for his/​her budget.
As a seller: From this perspective, I understand why the prices are what they are. Keara uses an interesting type of consignment, so the artists are essentially the ones setting the prices on their own work. If anyone is unhappy with the prices, that’s something to take up with the artist, not the shop owner.
Unfortunately, I’ve also had some trouble stopping by a few times and finding the store closed when I didn’t expect it to be. Hopefully the hours are now posted on the door or window to the store, too.
By the way, Keara, the owner, is the only «shopgirl.» I’m not someone who likes a lot of conversation or help while shopping, so I’ve never had any complaints about her demeanor. We’ve also had several conversations when I’ve stopped in, and I’ve found her quite friendly. If you want more information on a product, I don’t think it’s unreasonable just to ask. She doesn’t have any control over the sizes stocked, but could probably ask.

Oak is a great independent store that is surrounded by the behemoth designers on Newbury St. It is incredibly easy to miss, especially since it isn’t even on Newbury St. and it’s not on the corner of Newbury either.
Oak is filled with everything that is homemade. From crocheted and knitted hats and scarves, to printed t-​shirts, and Scrabble necklaces, everything that is made here is made from the heart and it is made with a lot of love, something that is definitely lacking in most of the Newbury St stores. There is also some handmade clothing. I immediately spied an awesome short sleeved hooded shirt that I simply had to have. Kristin and Marc told me I just HAD to buy it, and who am I to say no to my friends? HAH, so I did.
The prices here are incredibly reasonable, especially for something that is unique and handmade. Usually I am unable to buy many handmade items because they are more on the expensive side (though I understand why) all of the items sold at Oak are very affordable, which is surprising, especially given the neighborhood.
The owner was also very nice. It was quite amusing when Marc pointed out the «You’ve Been Unilocaled!» sticker and Kristin, Scott, Marc and I started talking about how businesses got that sticker and the owner assumed we worked for Unilocal.«No, we are just a little bit obsessed» we all replied. She was really nice and I swear didn’t look at us like we were all crazy because we are obsessed with a website. Really…

Oak is one of those places you really want to love. I was so excited when I heard about the store opening, but my actual visit left much to be desired.
The Pros:
Great selection for such a small space. Tons of fun gift ideas.
Good location. Just a quick hop, step and a jump off Newbury Street. The space, while crowded, is friendly and welcoming and I prefer layouts that make you feel like you could walk through four times and still notice something new rather than big airy stores that make you wonder why they need so much space for so little merchandise.
Independent business housing locally made goods. What’s not to love?
Cons:
Service. So much of the merchandise screams to have someone explain to you how it was made or where the idea came from. These things make great selling points. However, the lone salesgirl in the store when I visited didn’t utter a word to me and my friend despite the fact that we were the only people in the store and we spent a long time browsing.
The store had some fabulous screen printed T-​shirts, and I would have purchased one except for a couldn’t find anything in a size other than large. When I asked the sales clerk her reply (fitting considering her earlier attitude) was an unhelpful «What you see is all we have.» I got no information as to whether this was the only size made or they had simply run out or if there would be more sizes in the future.
Prices. The high prices on most of the items in the store made me walk away thinking «that’s kind of cute and I could make it myself» rather than «How beautiful and intricate. I must have it.»
If Oak lowered their prices, hired friendlier salespeople and carried more sizes I would bump them up to a five star rating and probably do most of my gift shopping here.

If
had a brick-​and-​mortar store this would be it. The sirens of neat stuff will have even the most ardent search-​and-​destroy shopper browsing for a long time. For such a small store, it is filled (but not cluttered) with tons of stuff.
I went with Bridget M and her husband; we spent close to a half an hour poking at things and could have spent longer. Everything from t-​shirts, custom clothes, wallets, bags, artwork, jewelry, bric – brac, housewares, and everything in between including several adorable squishy-​soft octopi stuffed animals. Soooo cute.
There’s a wide variety of items for any budget but everything is unique, interesting, and has that special something that makes DIY and hand-​made stuff so awesome, especially for gifting. Tom E. has it right, this place is great particularly for boys who struggle with shopping but need especially for members of the female persuasion:
1. Stuff here doesn’t require an adjustment of your monthly budget (DIY is becoming cooler than Designer junk)
2. If you suck at shopping, going here will really give a false impression of your ability to shop because everything here is awesome and if you are totally lost Keara will help you
The icing on the cake is that Keara gave us all little Sample Baggies even though only ONE of us bought something. Bridget M. kept trying to snatch mine away and pre-​emptively calling dibs on anything good that I got. Because she’s mean and greedy.

I loved this store. It feels homey and comfortable without being cluttered or overwhelming. The selection of crafts is varied and everything really seems to be top of the line (plus, I am being super biased here, they sell Cyberoptix ties, and that’s a friend of mine, and so I’m thrilled to see her stuff in stores. But her stuff is amazing…)
Anyway, I digress. I really found the quality of the merchandise for sale at Oak to be astonishingly great, especially for a DIY store. They don’t carry the typical hand made books or duct tape wallets and for that I applaud them.
Back to the owner, whose name I am guessing is Keara based on the other reviews. I saw a shirt I adored in a color I didn’t, and a piece of original art I adored that didn’t have an accompanying print (other pieces in the series were available as either originals or prints) and while I was in the store she emailed both vendors to ask about getting the shirt and the print in within in the next two weeks. That’s pretty damn awesome.
Jewelry, ties, shirts, dresses, books, cards, bath accessories, and swag bags for people who spend over $ 20. Just unbelievably awesome. I want to work there.
I really loved this store. It really is like having a «Best of Etsy» storefront. Fantastic.

Edit 6÷9÷08 — upped from 1 to 4 stars
Firstly, thank you Keara for emailing me shortly after the not-​open incident to explain what happened. Major points there.
I finally made my way here, and just as I expected, I loved it. Awesome handmade clothing, jewelry and other goodies. A fantastic place for buying unique gifts. I didn’t get anything this weekend, but I’ll be sure to go back and spend some dough.
— — — — — — –
Not open on Sundays? Not indicated on the website, nor on a sign on the door? Boooo.
I fully expect my review to leap from 1 to 5 stars once I actually get into the store, but I was so disappointed when I couldn’t actually get in to browse the merchandise.

I attended the grand opening Sunday, and haven’t been the same since.
First of all, Oak is the freshest, hippest shop ON Newbury Street. Urban Outfitters and the like seemed like they were Trying Way Too Hard after Oak. The most creative space I’ve been in years, Oak left me completely inspired (I haven’t stopped sewing since I got home Sunday night!) and overwhelmed with a feeling of joy, ingenuity and connectivity. What a brilliant spot to see and feel the makings of the brightest minds and hearts of the Boston artist and artisan scene. Weather an overpaid yuppie or starving student, I would be proud to wear any of the designs I saw there; Oak is the epitome of fresh life and fashion forward style.
Price Range: from 3 dollar chap stick (I bought some!) to 300 dollar handmade dresses, it’s a universally appealing spot to shop.

Love it. Keara did a wonderful job with this store. It’s so pretty on the inside, and everything for sale is awesome. Very good quality. Also, prices are relatively low, given the area. I was pleasantly surprised when I got to the register and my purchases came to an amount much lower than I was expecting!
I will also be taking a class here soon!

I’m waiting for «oak» to catch on as slang in Boston.
«Colin, your couch is totally oak.»
Five Stars because we need more places like this in Boston! Supporting local and handmade goods is GOOD! Don’t get me wrong though, I’m not just giving them five stars for a great concept and a clever acronym, but because this shop is adorable, the goods are a great and vast selection of things I wasn’t expecting to find like swimsuits (SWIMSUITS???), and the clerk was helpful with my locket quest.
My one request is: More cards! (but I won’t take off a star for that)

Imagine all your crafty, DIY friends banding together and forming one big amazing collection splayed over couches, adorning racks, covering furniture, much like a tangible Etsy of ultra-​chic/​adorable clothing, accessories, leather goods, stationery and a bit of wall art.
Well, that’s what used to devour every available space of owner Keara Sexton’s living room until she opened Oak, a cutesy-​clever acronym which stands for one-​of-​a-​kind, precisely the type of unique items that this jewel of a boutique holds, and at great prices.
She’s undoubtedly at the forefront of the «homemade revolution» in Boston, with plans to renovate the basement of the Gloucester street brownstone to create a space for sewing, screenprinting and craft classes, so that you too can be part of the movement!