Coffee, Tea and Spices in the North End

Customers at Polcari’s Coffee, located at 105 Salem Street, come into the shop to buy items but also to chat and catch up on neighborhood news.

Owner Bobby Eustace explained why Polcari’s is so important to the community.

“This shop is an institution and part of the loving art of the North End,” he said. “Polcari’s was established in 1932 by Anthony Polcari and now I am the current owner.”

Bobby and manager Nicky Labonte, his cousin, run the shop by themselves.

Nicky described why he and Bobby connect so well with the neighborhood.

“It’s the conversations with customers and not just the sale that I like,” he said. “It’s more personable. People don’t just come in to buy things.”

Rather, Nicky said, customers come into Polcari’s to talk.

“They come in to chat whether it’s to speak about new grandchildren, illnesses, new marriages or other related family matters,” he said. “Bobby and I know the majority of our customers.”

Nicky has been working at Polcari’s for 12 years.

The shop

Polcari’s Coffee sells coffee (of course), tea and over 150 herbs and spices.

At the counter, there’s a 106-year-old scale for measuring coffee beans.

In addition, you can buy nuts, crackers, olive oil, canned goods and seeds for growing vegetables.

There are also shelves of candy including Baci chocolates and Ferrara Torrone.

To accompany any coffee you purchase, the shop sells Melitta filters.

David, from the North End, explained why he loves Polcari’s.

“It might be the most unique shop in Boston,” he said.

The owner

Bobby acquired the shop in 2010.

“My mother was born in the North End on Margaret Street and then she got married and moved to Revere,” he said. “That’s where I was born and raised.”

In Revere, Bobby had a friend who was working at Polcari’s.

“My friend, Anthony, got me the job here,” Bobby said.

Bobby and Nicky both live in Revere now.

But Bobby does as much as possible in the North End.

“My physician, dentist, accountant and insurance agent are all located here,” he said.

“And I go to the North End Waterfront Health located at 332 Hanover Street.”

Polcari’s is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and closed on Sunday.

For additional information, see Polcari’s website at www.polcariscoffee.com or call 617-227-0786. Online ordering is available.

To learn about other shops like Polcari’s, sign up for North End Patch’s newsletter and get your news delivered to you directly.  Find it here: http://northend.patch.com/newsletters