Blackstones, one of Charles Street’s best-loved and longest-running shops, will celebrate its 40th anniversary on Saturday, September 24th.
“There are some stores that have been around for 40 years, but not many,” said Jennifer Hill, who now owns the store at 40 Charles Street with her husband Jim.
But as Jim is quick to point out, Blackstones is in good company among several other solid businesses on Charles Street. Hill,” he said.
On July 3, 1982, Five Gentlemen opened their shop at 46 Charles Street, formerly known as Blackstones of Beacon Hill. It stocked “unique and one-of-a-kind gifts” and home accents, and many of the products had a “Boston flair” that appealed to the countless visitors to Antique Row on Charles Street.
Blackstones’ next chapter began on April 1, 1996, when Lynne Miller, a longtime retailer at Brooks Brothers, took over ownership of the store. Her business remained much the same, but she changed her tagline to “gifts for every reason and season.”
Exactly 10 years later, on April 1, 2006, current owners Jennifer and Jim Hill purchased the store along with former business partner Mark Duffield.
“[We] Duffield, who retired in 2014, wrote:
Duffield adds: This creates a reliable stream of income you can count on each year, despite a weak economy, raising thousands of dollars for the Massachusetts General’s Children’s Cancer Program and helping local, regional and national awards, including the Beacon Awards. I think it appealed to what we do best: Christmas, creativity, philanthropy and love of our neighborhood. “
The Beacon Hill Civic Association presented the 17th annual Beacon Award to Jennifer Hill and Duffield on behalf of the Blackstones in May 2013.
On April 1, 2010, Jennifer and Jim Hill opened KitchenWares, a gourmet kitchen store by Blackstones at 215 Newbury Street, succeeding KitchenArts, a similar business that previously occupied the same space for over 30 years. did. The Hills even received permission from the KitchenArts owners to adopt a similar trade name in honor of the former facility. According to Jennifer, 2022 will not only be his 40-year milestone for Blackstones, but it will also be his 40th anniversary since the opening of his KitchenArts on Newbury Street.
On April 1, 2020, Blackstone’s of Beacon Hill and KitchenWares merged under one roof on Charles Street and the combined business was simply called Blackstones.
Even today, Blackstones customers are often pleasantly surprised to learn that KitchenWares is still in business and now operates on Charles Street.
“We always bring people together. When they find out the store was on Newbury Street, they say, ‘Oh, you didn’t leave town – we found you.’ . said Jennifer.
On September 1 of the same year, Blackstones moved from 46 Charles Street to its current headquarters at 40 Charles Street. This is his 1,400-square-foot store, more than twice the size of his previous 550-square-foot store. The added space allowed Blackstones to increase its inventory to include kitchens, homes, and gifts.
“With 40 Charles’ expanded stores, we’ve been able to increase our overall store selection,” says Jim. “There’s stuff we haven’t dealt with before because we didn’t have the space. There’s a lot going on here.”
The store is currently “filled” with fall merchandise, including fall decorations and Halloween items.
For Blackstone’s 40th anniversary celebrations this Saturday, the store will have a day-long raffle with “thousands of dollars in prizes to give away,” Jim said.
“Another business that is very special to us is the Women’s Ranch Place on Newbury Street,” said Jennifer. proceed to them.
Duffield will also be attending the book signing for “As I Recall: Wings of Remembrance” at 2pm. His third book of his features illustrations by Nancy O’Hearn of former Beacon Hill His Mail His Career and his art cover by Mark’s twin sister Sharon. Duffield. The book tells the true events of 2006 when Mark and Jennifer Hill took over ownership of Blackstone, and how Mark’s late father was there to give him advice during this difficult time. I am telling you how I wanted to be.
But even before their 40th anniversary celebration is over, the Blackstones have their eyes set on their next major event early.
“The next big event we have in mind is Boston’s 400th birthday in 2030,” Jim said. “I hope that by then the whole street will be one of the city’s most attractive tourist attractions.”
For more information on Blackstones, please visit blackstonesboston.com.
