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Categories: Cards & Stationery, Home Decor
Neighborhood: Porter SquarePorter (Red)
Mon-Wed. 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Thu. 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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I'm not really sure how to describe this place. It's the store you walk in and want to buy practically everything, even though you don't need any of it...
What to do with Greenward? Well, inevitably you'll end up buying a little something for yourself there--who can resist all of the beautiful eco-friendly products, but I'd say it's a great place to buy gifts. I actually ended up buying a gorgeous card there. There was a range of prices on cards, from about $3-6 for artsy cards.
Also in the store: bike gear, baby clothes, dog accessories, kitchen accessories, magazines/books.
I was on the hunt for toast tongs, and they had toast tongs. It was a pretty quick in and out, as I don't have a ton if extra money to spend. But, they seemed to have a fantastic collection of green/earth friendly items. Everything from Sigg water bottles, to vegetarian cookbooks, to organic cotton baby clothes, to lunch boxes made from recycled candy wrappers??? That was one item that seriously tempted me.
I look forward to shopping at Greenward in the future!!! And, for those of you who eat lots of toast and are afraid of being electrocuted by residual electricity in your toaster, they've got toast tongs. For $3.99.
Your friend has a baby. You go and visit friend and said baby. And husband who helped make the baby. Being raised properly, you know you cannot just show up at their house, where you'll be staying for two days, empty-handed.
Enter Greenward. What parents wouldn't appreciate adorable, all organic cotton jumpers, hats and booties? Yes, I bought all three and yes, they all matched. I felt good about bringing something for the munckin that would meet mom and dad's approval and not make me look like the ill-informed, non-procreating gal that I am.
Before choosing the parent-pleasing presents, I took some time to browse and quickly realized I could spend a LOT of money in here. All natural cleaning products, wooden mixing bowls and even earrings made from recycled materials. In addition to the buying of baby items, I picked up a thank-you card for my boyfriend's mother. Made from recycled paper with a super elegant flower design on the front and a blank inside. It says thank you without brown-nosing, and indicates my concern for the environment while reinforcing my good taste and genuine thoughtfulness.
In summary, Greenward has earth-friendly stuff for you, for you friends, for you friend's kids and for your boyfriend's mom. Rare when you can find all that stuff in one store and still feel good about it.
Checked this place out on a whim. Great products and selection. A really fresh, eco feel inside the store. Really unique products inside, too. Of course since it's eco, some of it is expensive... but if you can reuse so much of it, a lot of these items are a steal.
There weren't as many "green" cleaning, bath products as there might be at, say, a Whole Foods. Still, some really useful stuff!
Finally a fully eco-friendly shop in Cambridge! Def worth a visit if you have gifts to give or feel like treating yourself. For Christmas I got my boyfriend a platter made from a vinyl record and we just love it. Some of the items are on the pricier side, as green goods often are, but there are some hidden gems here for sure.
The owners seem super friendly & well versed in the products they carry...and genuinely committed to the tradition of eco-friendly wares...they even have cork floors and other equally environmentally friendly measures throughout the store. I'm looking forward to another visit to see what new things they have gotten in!
I really like Greenward, and I've bought things here, namely wooden postcards, flower seeds (gifts) and a water bottle...but I had a hard time finding anything else in my price range. I did lust after most of the stuff out of my price range, though, like messenger bags, kitchen supplies, and a sunlight-charged bike light. I just agree with Jess L., in saying that there's so much else that's "green" that ought to be sold in this store. Where are all the green cosmetics, clothes, shoes, recycled, etc. items out there?
It's hard to walk the tightrope of environmental responsibility and consumerism. One of the best things you can do for the Earth is to HAVE LESS STUFF.
That said, there's stuff in life that you need. Basic stuff for shopping -- messenger or shopping bags, carrying racks for your bike, water bottles.
Then there's stuff that you don't. Tchotchkes, baskets, ornaments, thingiedingies.
But if you're going to get anything from either category, it might as well be as low-impact and well-made as possible. And Greenward probably has it.
I'm generally a practical shopper, so I want things like a Reisenthal shopping bag and a Sigg bottle. Instead of buying these things online (boo!), I got them here (yay!)
Major kudos for giving discounts for bikers and Zip car drivers!
What a gem in Porter Square, although hard to find if you don't know where to look. Located in the basement under Rosie's Bakery. I love Greenward, whenever I need a birthday gift or a card for an occassion its my favorite stop. As many other reviews have said, lots of eco friendly stuff. I purchased cards that were made of recycled paper and had seeds in them so you can tear up the card and plant an herb garden which I gave to my mother and grandmother on Mother's Day.
The staff are super friendly, a husband and wife team who always ask how you are doing and even say hello when out and about in Cambridge. Not many shops remember their customers even months later!
I send everyone I know here because there isn't any other place like it. Lots of places have some of the products they carry, but a whole store that specializes in eco friendly, about time!
I cannot adequately describe how enamored I am with Greenward. The owners are WONDERFUL. They're sweet, and have put a lot of time, effort, and research into the products they carry. The floors are cork... awesome. They offer a discount on purchases over $20 or $25 if you have a ZipCard.
There's a little something for everyone there. Bikers, gardeners, parents, kids, hippies, hipsters, college kids... and even you.
Very effective use of the new location near the corner of Linnaean street. Sunny and airy with nice displays. I was able to find a good deal on my favorite soap ever, so I'm pretty happy! There's a lot of cute gift-shoppy stuff here, like stationary and pretty things for your table or yourself. But also: COMPOSTING! You can actually buy a compost bin here. How cool is that?!
I really really like Greenward. They have some fantastic environmentally friendly items, and surprisingly enough they are quite affordable. Greenward can be easy to miss, since it's in the basement, but the bright pink awning helps them out.
They also sell a lot of bike accessories. I wanted to get a collapsible side basket for my bike, since the milk crate I'm using right now sits right up against my butt and makes me slide down the seat (sorry Erica!). I also grabbed a nylon cord mesh thing to go around my bike rack. I really wanted to get one of the awesome handlebar baskets as well and some of the coolly decorated bike bells, but I stopped myself.
When paying I chatted with the owner(?) and he informed me that he really liked the purchases that I was making, and that he has it also for his bike. I told him I might grab a second collapsible basket some other time, and he told me that he has one collapsible and one regular mesh basket that he only brings with him if he needs it. I thought that was a great idea and I'm definitely going to go back and grab one!
Oh! They also participate in Bicycle Benefits, you can buy a sticker there and you also get 10% off your purchase of $25 or more!
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.
Finally I get my ass on the T and head to Greenward. It was worth the wait!
A lot of the products have already been mentioned, but I have to say my favorites are the fact that they carry the Meyer's line in Geranium (I haven't been able to find it anywhere else but online), the selection of Sigg bottles, the bamboo sporks, bamboo wooden spoon/spatula combo.
I got myself some limited edition dark chocolate for a wallet crushing $8.50. It better be worth it!
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.
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.
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.
This place rocks. I went in without any expectations, but was pleasantly surprised to see all the unique goods they carry--and all very environmentally friendly.
Their goods are very well hand-picked, you will notice. They sell products made by independent artists that I have been reading about in blogs and various sites, but had never seen in any store before until now. It's really cool to see that.
Their prices are pretty good too. The roll-up Ecobags they sell there are about 30% cheaper than ALL other stores I saw throughout a week of intense shopping. (Maybe I shouldn't have spilled that secret--THIRTY PERCENT! I hope the store doesn't read this :P)
For those who gripe that there are lots of un-necessities in this store: Who doesn't like nice things? To be environmentally conscious does not necessarily mean you have to live with bare minimums and live unsatisfactorily. Minimalism and green do not HAVE to go hand-in-hand, although it's a plus. If something makes you happy and it does not destroy the earth (like the store's beautiful recycled cup coasters), why not get it? It's not creating additional waste, it was already waste. Waste is either piled up someplace, or reused like so. And it gives me +5 on happiness. Yay materialism. That's my personal opinion anyway--don't start hippy-flaming me.
Greenward is on the move -- to the next block, a bigger store, more inventory. What I really like is to browse among the environmentally friendly items all intended to reduce our carbon footprint. Some are made of recycled materials, some will keep us from buying throw-away items. (Get a good water bottle there, or bamboo cutlery to replace the plastic forks and spoons in your cafeteria at work, or whatever.)
This store is located in a basement-type space and completely easy to miss if you're walking down Mass Ave, but it's awesome. I recently got a Sigg bottle for all my water bottle type needs, and they have so much cool stuff, including plantable cards. Yes, greeting cards that contain plant seeds. Really, how cool is that?
If I had a ton of money to spend, I'd so get a bunch of the bamboo dishes, and probably a few of the really cool shopping/messenger/general-carrying-stuff bags, of which they have many. Another thing that's caught my eye is the whole baby/kids section with some toys and clothes.
Recycled and organic stuff, or things that can be turned around to contribute to the environment? Very cool. 10% discount over $25 if you show your Zipcard? Also very cool.
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.
Yes, it's true - most of us should have less stuff. So, don't go in here looking for something to need. However, if it's a gift you need, this is the place. I mean, you can't buy someone a star or a heifer for their "congrats on your new home" gift, or for that fantastic multi course feast they're cooking you. You need to bring them something, uh, tangible. Preferably something useful, needed, and recycled/earth friendly. This place has that stuff, and much of it is very decently priced, and looks great too.
Bonus - Owner guy gave me a great tip on where to get beautiful organic flowers on line.
PS - I totally dig the not in your face sales associate.
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 http://poopoopaper.com.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This is a great store to have. I have wanted to be more environmentally friendly, and Greenward has made it a lot easier. After a cousin who only use organic products had a baby, I was very happy to find their baby clothes made from organic material. I also regularly stop in to buy Meyer's cleaning products. One of the other useful things is the box inside the door where you can dump electronics to be recycled.
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