Updated 2007-08-20 21:59
| COMPUTER REPAIR |
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| MicroCenter We went in looking for two EEE 1284 compliant cables and a copy of “Doom 3” and walked out happy. At this superstore, the salespeople actually know where to find things, and the computer repair staff is equally reliable. Bring your sick machine to them, or call a hotline (800.207.3434) for on-the-phone support - it’s free 30 days after purchase, and not much more than $20 otherwise. 730 Memorial Dr., Cambridge. MBTA: Red Line to Central, then 15 min. walk. Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 617.234.6400. |
| Geek Housecalls For a price of a little over $60 to start, these geeks will come to your place within 24-hours to fix your virus, crashed hard drive, or help install a wireless modem. Pricey, yes, but your 24-page paper that you put off until the last 24 hours is worth it. 781.863.8111. |
| Geek Squad These guys are the closes thing to superheroes we have in this society. They’re the Batman and Robins to Geek Housecalls’ Hawk Man. OK, maybe not, but these guys drive a cooler car than the Housecalls mobile. Like their Geek brethren, they’ll come to your place and save the day by enabling you to get back to your work or downloading porno. 800.433.5778. |
| HARDWARE |
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| Connelly Hardware Looking for a new plant to spruce up your room? Have the urge to go crazy in your community garden? Or just wanna trash the awful fern your roommate clings onto for dear life? Try Connelly Hardware out in Brookline. They grow the goods, you plant ‘em. Oh yeah, they sell hardware too. 706 Washington St., Brookline. MTBA: Green Line to Washington Square. Mon-Fri 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sat 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 617.277.7349. |
| Dickson Bros. Their storefront feels like its from the ’50s with the recessed door and friendly warm yellow letters, but after dark the window display looks like a teenage stoner’s bedroom when they turn on all the novelty lights they sell. Of course they have nuts and bolts, hardware and tools, paints and brushes, small appliances and house wares too. And they deliver! You lazy bastard. You got excited about that. 26 Brattle St., Cambridge. MBTA: Red Line to Harvard. Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Sun10 a.m.-4 p.m. 617.876.6760. |
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Economy Hardware Beware: A five-minute trip to buy nails and double-sided tape could land you with a lava lamp and a transparent shower curtain with a giant Playboy logo on it. Economy Hardware combines a traditional hardware store with contemporary accessories, furniture, and all sorts of stuff. Come prepared with a credit card - or your mom. That lava lamp won’t come cheap. 219 Mass. Ave., Boston. MBTA: Green Line to Symphony. Mon-Sat 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 617.536.4280. 144 Harvard Ave., Allston. MBTA: Green Line to Harvard Ave. Mon-Sat 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 617.789.5552. 1012 Beacon St., Brookline. MBTA: Green Line to St. Mary’s. Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 617.277.8811. 438 Mass. Ave., Cambridge. MBTA: Red Line to Central. Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 617.864.3300. |
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TAGS Hardware TAGS Hardware offers 7,000 gadgets of all kinds and a down-home family feel - a combo you don’t experience ... ever. The Shapiros have owned and operated TAGS for 50 years, so get that warm feeling of supporting a family business the next time you need to buy a toilet plunger and mouse traps. 25 White St., Cambridge. MBTA: Red Line to Porter Square. Mon-Sat 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. 617.868.7711. |
| 24-HOUR CONVENIENCES |
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| CVS OK, so not every CVS is open 24 hours, but for shaving cream, tampons or Twizzlers at 3 a.m., try hitting up the Boylston Street, Charles Street or Porter Square locations. If you’re in desperate need of meds, the pharmacy is open 24 hours, too. 587 Boylston St., Boston. MBTA: Green Line to Hynes/ICA. 617-437-8414. 155 Charles St., Boston. MBTA: Red Line to Charles MGH. 617-523-1028. 35 White St., Cambridge. MBTA: Red Line to Porter. 617-876-4037. |
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7-Eleven Offering Big Gulps and Big Bites (conveniently near the clubs, such as Aria, Rumor and, in Cambridge, the Middle East), Sevos is guaranteed to be open all hours. Suburbia never tasted so good. More than 10 locations in Boston and Cambridge. |
| Store 24 For pre-, post- or during-the-party munchies, Store 24 (aka “Stoh two-foh”) is most likely right around your corner. It’s hard to figure out what’s sketchier at night - the day-old bananas or the crowd you’ll find gathered inside - but it’s always there if you need OJ, Doritos or last-minute lotto tickets. Beware though, the one in Davis Square is like a Store 18 or something. More than 40 locations in Boston, Brighton, Cambridge, Charlestown and Waltham, among other areas. |
| LATE-NIGHT LAUNDRY |
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| Cappy’s Corner Where else can you score some cigs, buy motor oil, down a slice of pizza next door and wash your underwear all at the same time - it’s Cappy’s Corner and it’s freaking weird. The deli/pizza parlor/laundromat/candy shop/car supply store takes the something-for-everyone cliché literally. We love it. We don’t understand it, but we love it. 90A Westland Ave., Boston. MBTA: Green Line to Boylston. 6:30 a.m. - 2 a.m., 7 days. 617.247.8814. |
| CAR RENTAL |
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| Zipcar If you’ve ever driven around Boston, you know how frustrating it is to see what you think is an open spot, only to discover it has a sign saying it’s reserved for Zipcar. What the hell is Zipcar? It’s a super-affordable, ($7.65 per hour/$57.80 per day) and super-convenient way of renting automobiles (You can just park them in these pre-designated places all over the city). Becoming a member is in better taste than using that handicapped plate you inherited when your grandma died. Plus they have them in cool models. This mini is a suped up hot rod compared to the Geek Housecalls mobile, eh? 25 First St., 4th Floor, Cambridge. 617.995.4231. 18 Tremont St., Ste. 605, Boston. 617.933.5070. |
| Rent-A-Wreck Unlike most car rental services, Rent-A-Wreck has no 25-and-over policy. Don’t let the name fool you - that Geo Metro you’re about to rent is high-class. 2022 Commonwealth Ave., Brighton. 800.640.7413. |
| U-Save U-Save offers luxury cars and RVs, as well as a fine selection of Ford Focuses (if you can call those fine). It’s pretty much like any other rental place in town, except it doesn’t sock on a ridiculous under-25 surcharge (it’s only $10) and they also have U-Haul-style trucks - without the U-Haul-style attitude. 25 Harvard Ave., Allston. 866.264.7368. 70 Prospect St., Somerville. 800.272.8728. |