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Business & Tech

Patch Picks: Great Service in Newton

The idea that "the customer is always right" seems to have gone the way of the dinosaur. But in Newton there are still places where you can get outstanding service, excellent advice and fantastic recommendations.

 - TJ and Hadley Douglas are the “power couple of wine” here in Newton. Not only will TJ dazzle you with his encyclopedic knowledge of wine, but he will also spend as long as you need discussing with you with what you are pairing your wine, what you’ve liked in the past and how much you want to spend. Hadley loves to talk about food and wine, and how wine can complement your event or a meal.

Newtonville Books  - Did your son adore the Harry Potter series and is now in mourning because of the end of the book and film series? Stop by Newtonville Books for some fantastic and unusual recommendations for what books he can fall in love with next. The amazingly helpful staff will also special order books for you, and they love nothing more than spending time discussing what they’ve read and what you should read.

– There’s nothing worse than finding that perfect outfit but not having the right jewelry to complement it, if you ask owner Donna Sooldater-Toman. So ask her! Donna will help you find a piece that is all you. She also has a passion for jewelry with a history and hosts special events where guests can nosh on goodies while shopping for the holidays or learning more about the amazing pieces sold at her shop.

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– A menu like Lumière’s featuring unusual offerings, even from local purveyors, can be somewhat off-putting to your average diner. But the staff at Lumière is so well educated and so passionate about the food they serve that they will put your culinary doubts to rest post haste. They also do a stellar job of recommending wine pairings, so don’t be afraid to take a chance.

– In the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, we have to give a shout-out to the folks at Swartz Hardware. With many residents desperately trying to stock up on batteries, flashlights and other emergency supplies, the staff at Swartz remained calm, friendly and helpful in the face of a challenging situation. They’re like that even when there isn’t a state of emergency, so stop by and ask for a hand with that do-it-yourself project. 

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