Greenward

 

1

55

greg f.

Jamaica Plain, MA

Greenward is a searing indictment of the system. Similar to communities that use inmates as human guinea pigs for an array of unethical and dangerous experiments, Greenward troubles itself with understanding the pain and suffering endured by emotional prisoners of the Boston area.

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2

23

Tullia F.

Cambridge, MA

Every time I go into this store (admittedly only 4 or 5 times in the year it's been open), I could easily drop $100.  The staff is easy going and is happy to just let you look without pressuring you to buy.

Some of my favorite things at Greenward:

* Recycled vinyl purses that look like leather
* Deliciously scented candles
* Bamboo bowls
* Record bowls
* Funky earrings
* Elephant Poo Poo Paper (I got my mom a journal of this for her birthday and she loved it.)  It doesn't smell, looks like handmade paper, and comes from elephant turds.  Look it up on poopoopaper.com.

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13

33

Rosalind P.

Brookline, MA

I was really excited to go to this place and it was worth it.  I thought the welcome by the cashier was lovely and he even tried to hook me up during my purchase with a discount, but I was not  Zip car member.  There were tons of things on sale which is always great in my book.  They had a large variety of paper products, hand bangs, wallets, household items, jewelry and baby gear.  They sold one of the coolest planners ever seen,  that I bought at Anthropologie a few years ago, I am glad I now know where to get them.   My favorite purchase of the day was a really cute, colorful reusable sandwich bag.  It had a floral pattern on the outside and nylon on the inside.  It was only 6 bucks and I currently use it as a make up case but it could have many uses.  I am going back to this place to buy all and any gifts in the near future.

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Elite '08

200

419

Trish F.

Cambridge, MA

Zero stars for service. I walked out of here thinking "What did I do?". I wasn't greeted when I came in or helped when I was looking around and despite flashing my dimpled smile on the way out, I was barely acknowledged. "They hate chu," my friend whispered. I'm sorry, Greenward. Was my outfit not biodegradable enough?

But I won't hold the Earth responsible for the people working here. haha I think this is definitely a great shop. They have "green" stuff from A to Z. From gifts to household products, this place is also reasonably priced. I really dig their cards and I'd definitely come in again, but maybe after I've fashioned myself a dress out of leaves and moss.
4 stars for the store, but unfortunately a couple knocked off for the service.

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Elite '08

36

89

Liz K.

Cambridge, MA

Green products seem inherently bound to be more expensive than the stuff you find at Wal Mart, but that's what we're here for, right? They have gorgeous jewellry and very durable, sculptural felt handbags. Functional items like Sigg bottles and composters abound here as well.

Okay and not everything was that pricey--the bamboo cutting boards were the perfect example of that beautiful, durable item at a very decent price. That would be a fab purchase.

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Elite '08

59

240

Bridget M.

East Watertown, MA

Ok I'm going to be the big jerk here. I totally understand the "green" idea, and leaving the smallest ecological footprint that one can. I mean, we (being my husband and I, not the royal we) have those horrid energy saving lightbulbs, only eat organic, bring our own bags shopping with us. But for me, the whole green idea also means consuming as much as you need to, and not a ton more. So that is where my main complaint with Greenward falls.

It's a neat store, everything is recycled, or as Jessica M. noted, low impact, but the vast majority of it is really random stuff you kinda don't need. I mean, sure I was staring longingly at the recycled Public Enemy record snack dish...but do I need it? No. Is it really damn awesome? Yes.

They do offer more sensible things like shopping bags, some camping gear, a good magazine selection on greener living, and some locally produced chocolates that looked good even to this non-chocoholic.

Essentially, what I'm saying is this: I am giving them 4 stars because I think that it is awesome that there is a store out there selling items that are about as green as one can get, but for me, being green means consuming less stuff - not more ecologically friendly stuff.

That said, of course I'd encourage anyone to do their card, random trinket, hipstery friend gift shopping there. They have a lot of really neat stuff...it's just too much of it was decorative tchotchke  type for me.

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Elite '08

46

436

Julie A.

Arlington, MA

I finally got my as to this store and am made it took me so long.
I LOVE IT!
I am broke and unemployed and about to pop out a baby so I did not indulge in buying any of the 50 things I wanted, but even so, the prices were not as bad as I had originally expected.

the card selection = Awesome. yes, paper source is right next door, but these cards are way cool, and eco friendly. home good selection = very cool. Modern granola and again very well priced. Handbags are so not my style, but nice anyways. they did have some amazing little bags that you can squish up real small to put in your purse if you are heading out to the store and then pop out for groceries or an abundance of various other shopping items. they are not lame looking at all either.
they had a small but very cool kid/toy section, and with my impending baby i am becoming more interested in sustainable baby toys and products, none of the plastic Diseney crap that fills landfills and looks bad all at once.
so I was totally impressed with the store but then I saw the jewelry. now this stuff is simply amazing. I loved it all. Wood writ cuffs, cool charms made out of records, beautiful glass pendants. it was just really beautiful stuff, and again, very cheap for what I was expecting.
i love this store and am very happy it's around. fair prices in Cambridge are hard to find to begin with, but fair prices and eco friendly? and cool?  simply amazing!!!!!!
go go go!

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10

48

Jessica M.

Rockport, MA

Sure, lots of retailers are suddenly jumping on the "green" bandwagon. It's great marketing, after all. But at Greenward it's not just a selling point... it's the whole point! They offer cool, stylish goods that are made of recycled or low-impact materials, made by small (and often local) producers. You could be a less-than-environmentally-concerned hipster and still be a happy shopper here.

I was especially taken with their selection of bags and cards. On top of what has been mentioned in other reviews, they also sell some cleaning products and other small household goods, and Taza Chocolate.

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3

16

Erin K.

Cambridge, MA

This place deserves props for transcending the stigma of "green-environmentally friendly recycled products" (aka loving hands, hippie, recycled license plate ugliness) Their inventory proves that you can be eco-conscious and still maintain a respectable sense of style.  There is clearly a lot of care and attention put to the merchandising. They have everything from homegoods like bamboo veneer dish and serving ware to cool stationary/letterpress cards and windowsill seed kits. They also carry those awesome scandinavian-designed lace filigree plastic bike baskets that are turning up all over the place. Shopping here is a win-win, not only can you rationalize retail therapy with the idea that your doing your part for the environment you also feel good for patronizing a business that's heart is in the right place.

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0

24

julie c.

Arlington, MA

Great "green" store!

Things were a lot of more stylish than I anticipated so I was really pleased.

It is kind of hard to find but now that I know it's there it's no biggie!

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5

36

J S.

Cambridge, MA

Wow! Really cool, useful selection of products, from books to gifts to bags... prices are reasonable and the guy at the counter is really nice and willing to chat, besides.  Must remember to shop here when I need gifts.

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13

28

Judi D.

Cambridge, MA

This is a really cute store with lots of stylish environmentally friendly products, from bowls made from old LPs to paper made from elephant poop (seriously). The store carries housewares (cups, dishes, candles), bags, bicycling accessories, jewelry, baby clothes, note cards. Perfect for last-minute gift buying.  Every item seems hand-selected and good-quality and the store is well laid out and organized. The prices aren't bad either. They also have a box where you can drop small electronics (cell phones, batteries) for free recycling.

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2

100

tessa c.

Cambridge, MA

Just opened in April 2007 - small eco gift store.

They carry cool recycled products for the home, interesting gifts, stylish paper goods, organic cotton baby outfits, composting items, and bike accessories in a clean simple store.

Seeing all of the products in the store will convince you that you can been green & stylish at the same time.

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0

2

Jen G.

Somerville, MA

Greenward balances style and substance nicely -- everything is recycled, reusable, organic, or otherwise eco-friendly, and it's all aesthetically pleasing to boot.

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