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Boston.com compiled a list of some of the Boston businesses where you’re most likely to see a line out the door.
A line outside of Blank Street, just one of the most lined up stores in Boston. Carson Lyle/Boston.com
Few people would tell you they enjoy waiting in line.
But, in Boston, at least some people seem to have embraced the culture of waiting in line, in person, for a popular product. Locals and tourists alike will stand in line for a certain iced coffee, pastry, or one-size-fits-all top.
Boston.com took a look at some of the most lined up stores in Boston.
Brandy Melville
Walking down Newbury Street, rain or shine, chances are you’ll see a queue of people standing on Gloucester Street waiting to get into Brandy Melville.
Brandy Melville, a clothing store known for its “one size fits all” policy, has only 24 locations across the country, two of which are in Massachusetts.
“I think I’m a very impatient person, but for Brandy Melville, … I will probably wait in an under 20-minute long line for it,” Arden Murray, 20, said.
According to Murray, standing in the Brandy Melville line feels like a Massachusetts tradition.
Though Brandy Melville primarily advertises to women, plenty of men can be seen waiting outside of the store while their partners shop.
“Whenever I walk past it, I always walk around Boston, and I’ll always see a wicked long line,” Nathan Fritz, 19, a student at Stonehill College, said as he waited for his “girl.”
Blank Street
One thing about Blank Street coffee is that their line is certainly not “blank.”
At the chain’s Boylston Street location, crowds have become so common that the shop employs line security.
Elliot Vazquez is one of the Blank Street bouncers.
“Ive done security for about 7 to 8 years, and I’ve actually never had to deal with a place that had such a long line, and that goes to show the success of the buisness, and I’m really appreciative to be a part of it and help the business grow,” Vasquez said.
Jessica Orell, a senior at Boston College, said the long line at Blank Street can be a dealbreaker.
“At this specific one, which is the Copley one, I have seen [the line] down the block, and when I see it that long I’m like ‘it’s not worth it,’” Orell said.
Brick Street Bagels
Located in South Boston, Brick Street Bagels has built a strong online following, which comes with an in-person line to match.
On social media, some commend the bagel shop as worth the hype, while others call it overpriced.
“I think Bostonians are just stubborn, so they get what they want. You want bagels in the morning? You wait in line for bagels in the morning,” said Nicholas Allegrezza, 22.
The Big Three: Modern/Mikes/Bovas
The long debate on which North End Italian confection shop is best will not be settled here.
But, one thing is certain: all three stores routinely have lines out the door that extend down their prospective streets.
While waiting outside for the Modern Pastry speakeasy, Alex Murray said that the hideaway downstairs is “100 percent worth waiting for.”
“Even the cannolis, we were just talking about this, we bought both Mikes [Pastry] and Modern [Pastry], it tastes the best. Modern is better,” Murray said.
What Boston businesses are worth waiting in line for?
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