Photo: Michael Piazza, Courtesy of Edible Boston

Ilene Bezahler
Guest Contributor, Edible Boston

The neighborhood bakery, butcher shop, vegetable market. Entering each store, you would be greeted by name. Frequently you would ask for the “usual” while you talked about your kids, grandchildren and friends.

You don’t have to turn back the clocks to enjoy this shopping experience, the kind your parents and grandparents had. Just head to Boston’s North End and you will find your butcher, baker and green grocer. Steps off Hanover Street, away from the hustle and bustle of the restaurants and tourists, is a real neighborhood. Though the North End community has changed–the younger generation has moved to the suburbs–a new community is moving in and they are supporting the traditions of the individual food shops.

Rosie DeQuattro wandered the side streets and got to know the shops and vendors of this historic part of Boston. We hope you will take a similar trip.