I have been searching for great sneakers forever. The West Coast just doesn't do 'em up like the East, as much as I hate to admit it. So, when my sister told me that her roommate works at place filled with sweet kicks, I knew that I had to check it out. I haven't been to Boston in a little less than six years, so I had no idea where we were going. We got to this little hole-in-the-wall convenience store, and I thought to myself, "Okay, does K need a snack or something?" Oh. No. It's like a small miracle. I think we're headed for the Snapple machine, then BAM, it slides open, revealing a shiny and hip sneaker ... emporium? I think that's the word I'm looking for. (And by the way, the front is actually a working store, so you can stock up on shoes and toilet paper all in the same go.) The selection is a little one-sided, and you may not always be able to find what you're looking for, because sizes are a bit limited, but the experience was great. The staff was helpful, grabbing the shoes from the basement. Not to mention, I got lucky on my first pair, and I walked away with a sweet new pair of sneakers in which I can strut back to the West Coast. Loved this place, and when I'm back in Boston, I'll have to go back ... can never have too many awesome sneakers after all. read more

I have to admit that even though Bodega is a little more commercial now, I still get a ot of personal service and attention whenever I stop by. For that and still, one of the best concept for a store I've come across I have decided to upgrade Bodega to 5 stars. Congratulations Bodega crew! P.S: I also love their website. read more

IN LOVE with the concept of this place. You should've seen my jaw drop when we walked through the convenience store to the back... mind BLOWN. I didn't buy anything, but one of the coolest shopping experiences of my life! I'm still in awe of this hidden gem and glad my friend showed me this place :). You walk through this ghetto convenience store, and a soda machine teleports you into a into a rich urban man's closet. Have fun getting your mind BLOWN! read more

Sneakerheads: Well worth checking this shop out. They have a fine selection of unbelievably expensive shoes that I'm sure are pretty rare, etc. Everyone else: This is still worth the visit, particularly if you bring a sneakerhead who doesn't know the "secret" entrance in. I did this once. Very fun experience for me just to see the look on his face. He had previously tried to buy items there from the bodega portion of the place and was aggravated that they always seemed to be out of stuff. I've been a few times and the merch is pretty limited and expensive if you're not big into sneakers. I'm not the target audience for this place and don't pretend to be but, like I said, it's still worth a visit. read more

Kevin was great. This is the best shoe store ever. If you are in the area a must see. And don't forget to get your very own Bodega shirt!

(Sweet, I am one of the cool kids now.) Ah those youthful raver days. The feeling of searching for an underground party and sneaking around trying to locate a map point....it's much like searching for this wonderful store. First thought: No way. Second thought: This place exists....in Boston?!?! NY, SF, LA I believe, but Boston?! You are kidding me! The gimmick is mega cool. But what I am really excited about is that an independent clothing/shoe store with cool brands and this type of vibe exists. It really revitalized my opinion of Beantown. read more

So, of course this place is cool. The kicks are sweet, and fairly priced. Expensive at times, but fair. What I want to get at is how I almost enjoy giving these guys my money; I'm all about supporting my local bodega. Anecdote: Basically, last Christmas my mother went to Bodega to purchase shoes for my Christmas present. My mother is square; she's not a hipster and she's not who Bodega courts, but they were so nice to her. And when she returned the second time, Jay remembered her and asked how she was etc. It would have been easy for them to blow off some middleaged white woman, but they were totally welcoming and you know, I like that. Not eloquent, but yeah-- good people, good shoes. read more

If you need our kick fix and some laundry detergent, then check out Bodega in a rather roughneck part of town. Supposedly they make a decent living on the corner store items sold at the shop by way of the neighborhood locals. The best part is the back which is only accessible if you know how to get entry. Open says me... like magic you will be whisked away to the land of limited kicks and tees to match. Definitely a highlight of any sneaker fiend in Boston. read more

Bought a pair of Nikes from Bodega recently. Ordered on a Monday at midday, and the shoes were in my hands literally within 24 hours - completely hassle free. I was going to order the same pair from Oneness Boutique out of Kentucky, but their customer service was completely shite. Rude, impersonal and really just not geared for online sales. read more

Bodega is quietly revered at the Massachusetts College of Art. When you become a freshman, you hear rumors about a shoe store disguised as a dumpy convienience store with a snapple machine that's actually an entrance. So one day you work up the courage to go (along with your best friend, of course) and POW!!! You're sucked in. Bodega is the place I always take my close friends to. Its colorful, urban, fresh, and exciting. Support local businesses. Check out Bodega. read more

Bodega is a must for boston-based sneakerheads. In my experience they've had the nicest and most helpful staff of any of the major sneaker spots in Boston (Concepts, Laced, etc.) They have a tier 0 Nike account but no SB which means they're a little heavy on AF1s for my taste but they have a varied selection of most everything else, including JB Classics, Vans, Reebok, Puma, Creative Recreation, some Adidas, and many others. Even if they don't have anything that strikes my fancy on a particular visit, I always enjoy looking at what they have to offer. read more

Great store & great people. Best Men's fashion streetwear store in Boston area. Also carries tons of Japanese goods that you won't find in other stores. read more

Hmm! what hasn't been said about this shop. From the fake corner store front to the magic sliding door to the main store. This store does it well they have created a sort of secret club that now everyone who loves kicks knows about. By tapping into designer kicks market and creating a cool environment to sell them. Although all of this works for some but not for me or my friends who have visited the shop several times. We wanted to give them a chance to redeem themselves but never did in the customer service area. We love giving are money to small business rather than chain stores but we don't spend if you don't make us feel welcomed and not just a cash cow. We love are kicks but we will just continue to buy them from Goliath in NY read more

Warning: all sales are final here! Learned the hard way. Had my first experience at Bodega - Very disappointed. Although the shop itself had character and the employees well mannered they lack expertise on the brands they sell as they sized me for a shirt that was wayyy too small for me even though I wouldn't have known otherwise because it was in my "traditional" size - I didn't mind coming back in to make a return / exchange as i am aware other brands can run small or large but when I whipped out my receipt I noticed it says all sales are final on the bottom and the receptionist told me that, as well as well as the manager and then customer service. I simply don't understand how this store expects people to have a good shopping experience when you can't trust the clothes they give you will fit and there's no chance to exchange / return?? I would accept responsibility had I any idea of how the store worked / insisted on the shirt but they actually didn't have what I wanted in stock so I was actually settling for the shirt in the first place (in a color I didn't want) - which was $117 WASTED on a shirt that doesn't fit me and now I'm supposed to use my first designer brand clothing piece as ...a dish rag... 1/10 would never go back or recommend. So sad that a store would even subject people to this entrapment. PSA even their nikes and air forces can be found at equal price or cheaper elsewhere so that's that - why pay extra money, be sized wrong and have no protection or back up for your purchase just to walk through a cheap soda machine? Honestly sounds like I would have had better luck buying online anyways but I would just avoid the store in general - go to the Garment District - they know what's good and they stand behind their customers purchases. read more

It's a cool store but so disappointing to see that they don't cater to women at all. No shoes for women. They have a sad little corner with lame shoes for women. But don't really carry any decent shoes in low men sizes that would cater to women. considering the progressive nature it was kind of hypocritical to say the least. read more

Really cool sneaker spot (in case the previous reviews didn't mention that). They actually have a really nice clothing selection too, but it was too expensive for me to even consider. Despite the fact I'm not into sneakers, the one's here were really dope. My gf bought a really nice limited edition pair of blue Reeboks and the price was very reasonable. On our way out I asked if the bodega part of the store is real and turns out it isn't. Sorry guys you'll have to buy your toilet paper and cereal some place else. read more

Bodega's online experience is seriously lacking. Emails go unanswered for weeks. Their inventory is mismanaged and will allow products to be oversold resulting in order cancellations after 24 hours. Unreliable for limited releases. read more

I give it major points for concept. It's cool that it isn't situated in a high-traffic shopping strip and located within a relatively unassuming storefront (although I have to admit that the neatness of the exterior window display kind of gave things away...). I'm not a sneaker freak, but I enjoyed perusing the interesting catalogues and coffee table publications that are conveniently located next to a comfy couch in the corner. They should definitely carry a larger selection of girl gear, but I understand that Bostonian guys have long been neglected in this area of high-end material consumption, so I will forgive them.... read more

So I have previously given Bodega 3 stars due to a hit-or-miss selection, but I'm updating to 4 stars after today. I went in just to kill time, found a pair I liked, and then another. The guy told me he'd give me a deal if bought multiple pairs. When I decided to buy all 3 pairs that I was looking at, he knocked off even more money than he had originally said. Cool place, cool people, cool shoes. read more

When I first heard about this store I needed to see it. This store is was as cool as it seemed. The store is neat and has clothes for everyone. The sales people are very nice especially Kevin. We had a nice convocation about how the store started. He gave me a free keychain which was very generous. The store had their own bodega brand which was very well designed. I will definitely come back and recommend this to a lot of people. I am very glad that I visited. read more

As far as prices go I give it a 2 cause some of the stuff there is way overpriced. But the concept of the store is brillant. A must see for anyone in boston read more

Love the concept (see Heidi or Aaron's review) and love the gear. Boston has been dying for a boutique that caries hip street brands and Bodega really fulfills the need. If you are looking for exclusive shoes and gear you can't get anywhere else in Boston and you can deal with HIGH prices then BDGA is a must. read more

the whole secrecy thing aside, I give bodega a good review because of their amazingly cool clothes and especially because if you buy something vintage there, chances are, you're the only one in the city who is going to have one. I bought the sweetest vintage (late 80s or early 90s, thats vintage, right?) nike jacket. bright blue and pink, fit me perfectly, a little pricey, but it's the coolest thing in the world. Everytime i wear it i pop in my cassette of 'Paul's Boutique' and breakdance in the streets drawing crowds of people from every corner of the city. read more

Horrible shopping experience. Placed a order for over a week. Money taken out my account. No response from customer service.

This place is sick. I needed some toilet paper and went into Bodega to pick some up. While I was in there I figured I'd also get some Tide detergent. If you visit this place don't miss out on the delicious drinks in the vending machine towards the back of the store.. great selection. read more

I'm not big on street wear in general, but I like hoodies and funny tees and awesome sneakers. This place is totally cool. It's clean, organized and the staff seems chill and helpful. And the selection is heavenly if this is your style. The secret entrance is enough to make you go "Whoa! Awesome." read more

It doesn't have a sign and it's in an alley, and even when you find it, you still have to walk through a secret entrance. It makes you feel special. The shoes are dope. NB colorways, dunks, good stuff. And they carry some great all-over hoodies. Plus the presentation is nice, even though it borrows pretty heavily from the Alife store in New York. Nowhere else like it in Boston (yet). read more

Coming from the streets of LA, street style is my game. Bodega certainly did not let me down. Nothing makes you feel like you have more cred than walking into a "hidden" store to find some great kicks. The entrance is one of a kind, and they have a great selection inside. I'll definitely be back when I return to Boston. read more

This place is hard to initially find hidden behind a Bodega (clever!) but once you walk in, you'll be overwhelmed the the street wear selection before you. Racks on racks of hoodies, tshirts and snapbacks and you'll instantly feel cool just by being inside. To complement the clothes, impressive sneaker collection if you're looking to boost your shoe game. This store gives its competitors in NYC a run for their money... read more

This is a fun place to shop around - obviously a cool setup - but what an insane ripoff! They were trying to sell some court force lows (grafitti) for 120 when they were at lots of Nike outlets for 30. Silly. Once I saw that, there was no way I could bring myself to buy anything else - what if I saw it later somewhere else for a fraction of the Bodega price?? I'd have to kick my own ass. I went during a sale and it was sort of a nuthouse, but that's to be expected - actually, that vibe sort of made the whole experience more memorable. read more

Down a side street, walk into...well....a Bodega! The place looks like a hang out when you enter, but go back to grab a Snapple, and you find a really nice cool trendy shoe/shirt shop. Definitely a one of a kind place that deserves a visit. read more

Love this store, very fairly priced for nice, uncommon sneakers. Got the indigo Air Force ones, a color I couldn't find anywhere else, for only $100 very reasonable considering I got my white hype beast Air Force ones for $125. Defiantly worth the trip in for the experience alone. read more

Bodega in the front, kicks in the back. Doesn't get better then that. Even if you don't buy, still worth checking out.

One of the best streetwear in the country. Don't forget to walk through the vending machine.

A cool little place that's hidden away with a "secret entrance" is what sets this place apart from other Urban-wear Boutiques. Yes, you will see $500 pair of Addidas here; you will also see lots of other limited edition or artist signed sneakers that you won't find in a lot of retail shops. It's a surprisingly cool little shop hidden in Boston, and worth stopping by just for the experience. read more

It's so hard to keep a good secret! This place is beyond unique. I would not frequent solely to shop as the selection was minimal and not entirely impressive (a few major gems though!) but the shock value is well worth it. I would give this place five stars on creativity alone but alas, it is a boutique and not a museum so I'll settle for four. read more

Just want to say wow, the online customer is amazing! Messed up my order for the new Vanta/Vanta/Vanta 700s and Nick was able to assist with my order is under 15 mins. Will definitely have more of my business. read more

I wore archive Helmut lang pants in this store and I got laughed at be the workers. Both of the workers that were laughing at me looked like they walked out of a pacsun catalog though lol read more

Haven't actually been yet so the rating is mainly a reflection of my curiosity. However, conceptually, this place brings a creative and stylish energy to Boston's somewhat smaller selection of boutique shopping. read more

This is a review for my online experience. In terms of being a web store, Bodega gets 5 stars. Solid descriptions, great selections, great sales, fast shipping. However, I do wish the customer service would respond a bit more efficiently. I know they're a busy store but it sucks when emails are never responded to! Either way, great store to buy from. Just had to ding that star off for the only 'decent' customer service. read more