Uncle Pete’s

Seems so odd to admit, but Boston’s retail scene has provided more personal and professional opportunity than any other venue. After all, it was the discovery of Concepts as a high school student that changed my sneaker collection for the better (and larger). And, years later a previously unplanned move brought me back to Cambridge, Concepts, and this strange world on the internet.

During that second stint as a Concepts shop rat, Boston’s scene developed in two distinct ways. First, it attracted a major corporate destination in Barney’s. Without wanting to sound like a nut, I have a feeling that the arrival of a Barney’s in a given city marks that place as something specific. What that specific should be, or is, I haven’t quite decided. Almost akin to a Harvey Nichols in a British city. Anyway, it arrived, and with it a change (ever so subtle) in Bean towns shopping feel.

At the same time, this being an era of streetwear explosion, a number of new independent boutiques opened. The famed Bodega stood out for concept and content. There were also others, capitalizing on sneaker fetish and the market growth. They added something new and something fresh.

Of course, the streetwear explosion and the arrival of a Barney’s is not a full explanation of the city’s retail scope. My then girlfriend, who had just begun her Ph. D work at Harvard, was writing about Downtown Crossing as a shopping district. Her focus was pre-1900, and our street level investigations revealed past, present, and sometimes future.

Future often has revealed itself in the people we met along the way. Steve Costello, a prime example, has slowly built up the fantastic RAW brand since I left the region.

Peter Tam is another acquaintance who has managed to realize personal goal. Suffice to say, the above ramble has pretty much been a lame attempt at introducing the meat of this post – Peter’s new shop Uncle Pete’s. Starting his career with Diesel, Pete has been a central figure in Boston’s retail landscape for some time. His own stamp, Uncle Pete’s, carries personal favorites like Comme des Garcons, Porter, Rag & Bone, and Rogues Gallery.

Pete joins a lineage of shops in Boston that have had unexpected impact on my life. Given my current professional life, the discovery of a new brand (as so often happened at Louis of Boston years ago) is unlikely. However, the opportunity to learn, to soak in a bit of wisdom, and to draw from years of experience seems quite possible.

The selected brands, and the merchandising expertise behind the choices, should provide similar experience for new customers of Uncle Pete’s.

Welcome to Boston. 125 Charles Street to be exact.