No place like ...well, Spring Street for the Holidays

In the heart of Newton’s business center, Spring St. offers a real hometown, intimate, and personalized shopping experience for all holiday needs. Each shop offers one-on-one service, reasonable prices and a specialized selection of items unique to this shopping area. A Woman’s home-away-from home One of Spring Street’s landmarks is Vivian’s, the perfect shop to get the woman in anyone’s life a special treat for Christmas. Vivian’s features trendy, high quality female fashions and accessories to style a woman from head to toe. The well thought-out floor plan of the store creates a relaxed shopping experience, a breath of fresh air when compared with the frenzied experience of shopping at a large department store. Owner Vivian Hill recommends her hand-knitted sets of hats, scarves and mittens as the perfect gift because size will not be an issue. “It’s not a certain size, it’s age diverse and the shopper doesn’t need to worry about that holiday outfit, jeans, or sweater being just right,” said Hill. “I love my scarves too. They come in the most delicious colors!” Old-fashioned book store Next door to Vivian’s is the Book Shelf, an old-fashioned book store. Upon entering this shop, with its creaky floors and charmingly weathered wooden display cases, visitors get the feeling they’ve stepped back in time. Owners Jack and Renay Tripp took over the shop two years ago and have been expanding their merchandise line to include educational children’s toys. Their recommendation for the perfect gift for a child is the “Melissa & Doug” wooden toy line that ranges in price from $7.99 to $19.99. For adults, the shop suggests books from the best-seller list, like Predator, by Patricia Cornwell, and Forever Old, by Dean Koontz, or perhaps Marley and Me, by John Grogan. “Grogan’s book is a particularly good choice for those who love dogs,” said Jack. “Of course, 50 Years of Sports Illustrated is a great choice for sports lovers.” Dressing the man with style Diagonally across the street from the Book Shelf, visitors will find the Style Shop. Visitors will enjoy the convenience of being able to find all of a man’s wardrobe needs in one store, as well as the unique atmosphere and décor of the shop itself. The Tudor-style building features unique architecture inside and out. The holiday decorations create a festive and relaxing environment. Donna Marion, co-owner of the Style Shop, recommends a gift certificate as an ideal present, so size and style will not be an issue. “You can choose any denomination and the recipient can use it towards a tie, jewelry, suits, sweaters, hats, belts, etc. We’ve got it all, from socks to suits,” said Marion. ‘Can’t go wrong with diamond’ For jewelry, Spring St. has Coats Jewelry, operated by the Coats family for more than 83 years. Located on Lower Spring St. and owned by Peg Coats, the shop offers more than just jewelry. Coats Jewelry carries a beautiful line of serving plates and platters that make excellent hostess gifts as well as jewelry boxes for all ages. Coats’ suggestion for the perfect Christmas gift is a design featuring three diamonds in a row. The three diamonds signify the past, present and future and this design is available in earrings, pendants, and rings. “You can’t go wrong with any diamond, but this line in particular is my recommendation because it’s got a personal message,” said Coats. Sweet things A shopping trip into Newton would not be complete without a stop in the Chocolaterie. Here, visitors encounter the sweet treat of fine and imported chocolates. Chocolate is the perfect pick-me-up after a full of day of shopping, or it can also be a decadent gift that any hostess or recipient would appreciate. Belgian truffles are the owner’s choice as far as the perfect holiday present because they are so delectable. “Belgian chocolate is the best chocolate in the world,” said Annette van Loon, who owns the store with her husband, Bob Ellsworth. “Belgian truffles are our best sellers and are what we get the most compliments about. Hey, it’s cheaper than buying a flight and bringing them home,” she joked. “There’s a lot of heritage in this shop and our products are a part of our relationship,” said Ellsworth. “We both love the chocolate and the coffee we sell here.” Shopping in this historic area, with the streets lined with the old style black lanterns and brick sidewalks, is an enjoyable experience any time of year, but during the holiday season it is an especially fun way to spend a shopping day because of the cheerful Christmas décor and the warm, friendly manner of the personable shopkeepers. It’s an inviting place to enjoy dining and shopping in an atmosphere of the Christmases of yesteryear.