About

Hours:
Monday
CLOSED

Tuesday-Friday
12pm – 7pm

Saturday
11am – 7pm

Sunday
12pm – 5pm

Contact:
Phone: (617)623-2429

General Inquiries:
jono@grandthestore.com

Inquiries Regarding Inventory:
wendy@grandthestore.com

Grand is a retailer specializing in contemporary home furnishings, apparel, and gifts. We are located at 374 Somerville Avenue in historic Union Square, Somerville. Grand brings to Boston a new sense of style by providing the latest products from independent designers around the globe that focus on quality, individuality, and affordability. We combine art, commerce, and style into a retail environment the likes of which has never been seen in the 617. Or 781 and 978 for that matter.

Grand is the invention of three Bostonians with an eye towards design and style: Jonathan O’Toole, Grand’s CEO and Operations Manager, was on the inner circle of BzzAgent, a revolutionary agency that pioneered word-of-mouth marketing. Wendy Friedman, Grand’s Chief Merchandiser, is a style aficionado and has worked as a graphic designer for Rykodisc, Don Law Company, Fidelity Investments, and Hill, Holliday. Grand Creative Director Adam Larson’s work has been recognized for excellence by various organizations including the Clio Awards, Cannes Lions, and the Emmy’s. He recently left Arnold Worldwide (where he was a VP and Creative Director) to open his own studio called Adam&Co.

A bit about the building

The building, a two-story brick building built in 1890, was first home to the Star Theater. The Star may have been the first theatre to show films in Union Square. Little is known about it other than its dates of operation, 1908-1914, and the fact that the city tried to close it on several occasions. A classic nickelodeon, the theatre seemed to attract a very young and rowdy audience.

Since 1914, the building has had many occupants, including a dry goods store between 1925 and 1927 and a Salvation Army for many years afterward. Recently, the building was home to a Brazilian restaurant and an auto glass repair shop until Brian Healy Architects bought the building in 2007. The began a complete gut-rehab and broke the building into three units. The first floor now houses Grand, as well as an environmental design studio specializing in green roofs. The top floor is occupied by Brian Healy Architects.