Explore Neighborhood Narratives from 2023–2026, featuring the local businesses, organizations, and community leaders that continue to shape and strengthen Beacon Hill. These stories highlight the people and places that bring the neighborhood to life and contribute to the vibrant community we know today.
Community Boating, Inc.
Kate Ferris Richardson is the Executive Director of Community Boating, Inc. (CBI), the nation’s oldest public community sailing program. Founded in 1946 on the Boston Esplanade, CBI makes sailing accessible and affordable for thousands of youth, adults, and individuals with disabilities each year. A lifelong sailor with early memories of sailing at CBI, Kate brings a deep appreciation for the organization’s history and its enduring mission of “Sailing for All.”
Kate brings a collaborative and mission-driven approach to her work. Her leadership reflects a belief that time on the water can change how people see themselves and the world around them, strengthening both individual growth and community connection. As CBI prepares to celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2026, she is leading efforts to expand access and preserve the sense of community that has made CBI a Boston institution for nearly eight decades.
Rouvalis Flowers
Emily Montany is the Lead Floral Designer and co-owner of Rouvalis flowers, alongside partner Sean Murphy. Rouvalis Flowers, originally founded by Bill Rouvalis in 1981, continues to be one of Boston’s premier floral shops and a true landmark in the city. Emily and Sean met at Boston Architectural College while studying landscape architecture. They worked alongside Bill and took over in 2009 with the dream of continuing his legacy while also expanding the business into what it is today. The team has since grown the company from Bill’s famous floral shop in Beacon Hill to include large scale events, garden design, and two beautiful retail locations including the original in Beacon Hill and their newest location in Winchester. As well as garden design studio in Charlestown.
Emily continues to flourish in a lifelong career in floral, plant and design fields. She brings her passion and expertise to Rouvalis. Her talent has allowed the company to expand into houseplants, hand-picked home decor pieces, and product lines in both stores. Emily’s creativity and penchant for uniqueness can be seen on Rouvalis’ website in their ever changing collections and designs.
Emily and her team pride themselves on having unique and bespoke designs. The team consistently provides finely detailed work using the most exquisite products sourced from around the world to create memorable floral experiences. The Rouvalis team loves to brighten any occasion whether it be a gift for a dinner party or birthday or simply a bouquet of flowers to brighten your home. On a larger scale, they specialize in garden installations, window boxes and roof decks, and events and weddings. Emily and the Rouvalis Team are here to make all your floral dreams come true!
Locations:
Website:
Gus & Ruby
We’re a custom design and print studio and duo of brick & mortar retail stores located in historic, coastal New England. The studio was founded in 2009 by best friends and business partners, Samantha Finigan and Whitney Swaffield and named after their respective dogs, Gus & Ruby. We specialize in creating one-of-a-kind pieces of art in the form of wedding & special event invitations, birth announcements and classic correspondence. Our retail stores offer the discerning shopper a curated selection of beautiful goods for the home and office.
Locations:
A Sanctuary Cafe
Visit: www.asanctuarycafe.com/
Brittany Baker grew up in Southern California and moved to Boston in 2012 and Beacon Hill in 2014. When she decided to pivot from nonprofits and education research to developing a social enterprise/community space, her dream location was always Charles Street, and she feels incredibly lucky to have a spot amongst so many wonderful, woman-owned businesses! A Sanctuary Cafe opened in 2024 and is a first-of-its-kind combination of a cafe, bookstore and cat space where people can reserve time with resident cats.
As a benefit corporation with two affiliated nonprofits in development, its goal is to be a friendly and welcoming community cafe that contributes to the development of a more interconnected and equitable Boston. When Brittany isn’t watching people discover the cats in A Sanctuary Cafe’s front window (there are currently thirteen that live in both levels of the space), she is most likely to be found at the Boston Athenaeum or at home with her own trio of cats.
Location:
Beacon Hill
80 Charles Street
Boston, MA 02114
617-604-1580
Forty Winks
Visit: www.shopfortywinks.com
Rachel and Meredith opened Forty Winks in Harvard Square in 2010 to create a comfortable and holistic bra fitting and shopping experience. They expanded into the Boston community in 2025 when they opened their second location in Beacon Hill. They are a proud woman-owned and locally-owned business.
At Forty Winks, we believe it’s possible to find a bra you love and actually enjoy the process. To us, wearing lingerie can be an empowering act of self-care and self-determination.
We cater to a diverse range of clients of all ages, sizes, and genders. We are honored to work with our trans and non-binary community, teenagers shopping for their first bra, seniors, and new moms. We have extensive experience helping customers shop for boudoir shoots and bridal lingerie.
We carry sizes 30A-44L, XS-3X. We hope to see you in the shops soon.
Locations:
Harvard Square
56 JFK St
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-492-9100
Beacon Hill
53 Charles St
Boston, MA 02114
617-982-6160
Phoebe Jon
Visit: www.thephoebejon.com
Inspired by her mother’s professional wardrobe and a menswear approach to dressing, Wang designed a collection of thoughtful styles that are meant to be the building blocks of modern women’s wardrobe, professional–yet feminine. Wang is committed to offering seasonless fabrics in timeless silhouettes.
Since launching in 2022, Phoebe Jon has steadily grown by word of mouth, as women find out about her great-fitting trousers. Wang earned her MBA and Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy degrees at Boston College. As a designer, her determination is fierce. There are no what-ifs or maybes in her mind.
Locations:
Boston – Beacon Hill
98 Charles Street,
Boston, MA 02114
New York – Cobble Hill
166 Court Street,
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Charles Street Family Chiropractic
Visit: www.thebostonwellnessgroup.com
Dr. Kelly Makela is a licensed chiropractor specializing in eliminating pain naturally and optimizing health for people of all ages. Operating within Charles Street Family Chiropractic, she brings a personalized, holistic approach to healthcare, helping patients achieve lasting relief and improved well-being.
Dr. Kelly runs her own business alongside other providers in the clinic, offering tailored chiropractic services designed to meet the individual needs of her diverse clientele. Known for her compassionate care and comprehensive treatment plans, she has built a strong reputation for both patient satisfaction and successful outcomes.
Dr. Kelly is excited to be a part of this larger community of healthcare professionals at Charles Street Family Chiropractic, where she collaborates with other practitioners to ensure every patient receives the highest standard of care. As a woman-led business within a respected practice, she is committed to educating and empowering others about their body’s natural power to adapt and heal.
The Beacon Hill Garden Club has been a local non-profit club for almost 100 years doing wonderful civic work. Read more about the wonderful history of the organization here.
Current president Sandra Gilpatrick would also like to share that the 96th Hidden Garden Tour is coming up on May 15th, tickets for which can be purchased here.
The Beacon Hill Circle FOR CHARITY is a 65 year old Beacon Hill based non profit organization.
We are a group of women (60-65 members), who show their homes (single family and condos) to tour groups from out of town and the proceeds made from these guided tours are given to organizations that help women and children in poverty to improve their lives.
We have monthly meetings in our members’ homes where representatives from charitable organizations introduce their organization to us or update us on their status and the individuals we have helped.
Our tours are generally in spring and fall. The tour consists of seeing three houses as well as a part of Beacon Hill as we guide them and walk from house to house.
For our members and interested members it is important to know that one must own their home on Beacon Hill, or as the case may be, have permission from their condo association to show their condominium.
We always welcome new members. For more information, please contact The Beacon Hill Circle for Charity current president, Charlotte Thibodeau by email.
See info below:
Vico Style
Helping Americans be Sustainable Bougie on a Budget
Vico Style is a direct-to-consumer vintage fashion company. Our mission is to help Americans be sustainably bougie on a budget by reclosetting vintage fashion pieces that may otherwise end up in landfills or incinerated. Come and check out Vico Style’s 70’s bedroom themed store located on 125 Charles Street (garden level.)
Press Kit:
Location:
Vico Style
125 Charles Street (Garden Level)
Boston MA 02114
hello@vico.style
HOUNDSTOOTH
A hidden gem on the hill
Our sense of style and a commitment to community inspire Houndstooth, a woman-owned boutique consignment shop at 20 Myrtle Street. A curated array of current fashion, jewelry, handbags, and luxury brands, Houndstooth is devoted to bringing affordable higher-end fashion to Beacon Hill.
At our new store in Boston and our first shop in Hamilton, the Houndstooth “Hounds” are dedicated to a spirit of service, and sustainable repurposing of quality pre-loved fashion.
We love our customers and consignors, who have called us a “hidden gem on the hill” and we can’t wait to see you. Stop in to say hello … it’s worth the climb!
Locations:
Houndstooth – Boston
20 Myrtle Street
Boston MA 02114
boston@houndstoothconsignors.com
Houndstooth – Hamilton
80 Willow Street
Hamilton MA 01982
info@houndstoothconsignors.com
