Beacon Hill Skate Shop

I went there right when the store opened on a Saturday. Chris took my skates and had them sharpened within 10 mins. I've never had my skates sharpened right away. Usually I've gone to places that take them and you have to come back in a day or two to pick them up. Great place! more

I've had my skates sharpened at many shops here in Boston and in Toronto before I moved out to Boston. The first time I had them sharpened at Beacon Hill Skate Shop it was like having a new pair of skates. My turns felt sharper (on both edges), I was going faster; playing hockey was almost a totally new experience. I wouldn't go anywhere else for a sharpening. Check it out! more

I went to a lot, and I mean a lot, of different places before I found Beacon Hill Skate. Now that I found them, I won't go anywhere else. They do them right on the spot and you don't have to wait, unless there are people in front of you. But it still doesn't take long. I have great control and can stop on a dime...They are the BEST... go there...you won't be disappointed,, Pros: The guy was really nice and very knowledgeable... more

First off, this review is for hockey skate sharpening, I don't know about the roller skates or skateboarding stuff... As far as skate sharpening goes, this is by far the best place I've found after three years of hockey in the Boston area. I have tried a bunch of places, including driving a bit outside the city, and nothing even comes close.\r \r This is not the type of place that you hand over your skates and they disappear to the back room for 15 minutes and then off you go. Chris actually shows you the sharpening process, pointing out what to look for when skates are sharpened correctly. It was really nice to get back on the ice after getting them sharpened here, the difference between other sharpenings was quite obvious. \r \r The shop is exactly as described in other reviews, it's not the biggest flashiest place around, but he knows what he's doing and he's fun to talk to. \r \r Hockey skates cost $10, with an additional $5 if they're rusty. If nothing else, that's incentive to take care of your skates. Yes, you can find some places for cheaper around, but in the long run you're going to spend A LOT more because you'll have to go back over and over. If you want a quality job, it's well worth the few extra bucks.\r \r I don't know about the review right below mine. From my experiences, there's no way Chris would give back a pair of skates with uneven edges. That was one of the main things he fixed for me... my edges were very uneven and he was clearly disgusted with the shop that had sharpened mine before. I also know someone who got goalie skates sharpened here with no problem. Don't let that negative review keep you from trying this shop... see for yourself.\r \r As a last note, the shop is not on Beacon Hill by the Charles MGH T Stop, it's on Charles Street South, on the other end of the common. Pros: Best sharpening in town. Easy to get to (by T or on foot, I don't think there's much parking) Cons: Not open all day, but if you call he'll let you know when he's around more

skate sharpening were horrible. i sharpen skates to but i could not get home to do mine or my wife's. She is a goalie. She specifically asked chris if he did goalie cuts and he said yes, so we did it. We were desperate and when he said because she has a little rust on them it would be 5 dollars more. Then he went on to tell me that my skates that had a small but of rust on each skate it would cost 15 dollars. So combined 35 dollars for two skates. Let me put it this way i have bought shin pads that cost less. The edges were way off he ruined my wing cut on my skates and know i have to travel 2 hours home and fix the goalie skates that were cut like a forward. HOW DOES THAT HELP A GOALIE. For all of the above stay away. Look at other negative reviews completely agree. Does not know what he is doing. I just wanted to thank him for making me go home and have to spend more money to get new blades and get my radial back to the way it should be. I rather get my skates sharpened at the FROG POND Pros: does he have any Cons: pricing, sharpening quality more

Owner Chris knows how to sharpen the skates. My picky competitive skater only likes Chris's job, and for that we have to drive an hour to get the skates sharpened, but it worth the driving and gas. Pros: Best job for sharpen the skates Cons: Need to drive to the city more

I have been going to Beacon Hill Skate Shop for about 12 years. I've bought my kids skates there and I would not get skates sharpened anywhere else. I tried cheaper places twice and the results were mediocre the first time and the second worse than leaving the blades unsharpened. I had Chris redo them after one time on the ice. Chris is careful and methodical in sharpening skates, and you pay for his time. It's worth it.\r \r If you don't own skates and are looking to rent, I would go to Chris over renting at a rink. The shop is two blocks from the Common so you can rent and walk over to the Frog Pond. You'll get properly sharpened skates and help with sizing.\r \r Don't expect a well-organized, pristine shop. It's a messy place, but he knows skates and how to care for them. Don't expect a bargain, but you will get good value for your money. more

Not only did Chris do a great job sharpening my skates, but he also gave me a break down of how skate sharpening work (and the difference between sharpening new skates as opposed to those that have seen serious ice time). He also gave a great recommendation for restaurants in the Burlington, VT area (I was headed up to watch a few games) and an impromptu skate lesson right in the store. I know it sounds too good to be true, but it was truly one my best visits to a skate shop. He gets my full support! Thanks, Chris! Pros: Great job on the skates, great service, adorable cat Cons: None, really. more

I have been playing hockey for 17 yrs in various leagues and and scrimmage nights, and have been using Chris for 3 seasons now,because he knows his stuff.I,m kinda picky about how my skates are sharpened,and don't trust anyone else but Chris to touch them.He even went as far as showing me how to \r stone sharpen them by hand to get a couple of extra uses out of them, which was really helpful. Pros: very knowledgable,damn good skate sharpener Cons: I'm allergic to his cat more

I've lived in Boston for eight years (since college) and haven't REALLY skated in almost as long. I don't have a car so I needed a place that specialized in competitive figure skates and was T-able. When I finally found Chris at Beacon Hill Skate Shop, I knew I had something good. I mean, yeah, it's $15 to have your skates sharpened, but anyone who really skates knows that's what the going rate is. I'm refering to those of you who can feel the difference between a 7/16 and a 1/2 sharpening. :-) Mine were a mess since I stopped competing after passing my senior test in highschool. But Chris did a great job and I will bring them back everytime. \r I have a feeling that he does an equally good job with the typical skate sharpening and I think it costs less for recreational and hocky skates.\r Thanks so much Chris! more

I visited this shop on Labor Day to replace my wheels and bearings for my in-line skates, when most other shops were closed. Not only did he point out that the $80 bearings I had purchased a few years ago from board and blades (thank god they're gone!) were not in fact ""swiss bearings"" but a significantly cheaper variety, was friendly enough to help and teach me how to replace them in the future despite my turning down his offer to install them for a nominal fee. I highly recommend this shop for anyone who wants to business that has been around for years and deal with an owner who is honest and knowledgeable.\r \r The shop is also co-run by a very friendly cat for any cat lovers! Pros: Convenience, honest and helpful owner more

I went there for sharpening service of the ice skating. He asked for a price 15 bucks which only needs 4-5 bucks somewhere else. Stay away~! more

Great place. Only place in Boston I know that has parts and service for rollerblades. The folks were really nice and fixed a rollerblade problem cheaply. Also ordered new ice skates there. After some confusion, we didn't pick them up for several years. When we realized and went back with the receipt, the owner honored it without any hastle. Most places would have given us the standard ""goods left 60 days become property of the shop."" I was impressed. Afriend ordered rollerblade wheels online. What showed up was a different brand, size and hardness! The online store replied they were ""equivalent"". After failed attempts to return them, he had to go through his creditcard company to get them to take the wheels and credit him. Definitely NOT worth saving a few bucks. At Beacon Hill Skate, I know I get good service and I know they support their sales. Pros: Service, Availability of parts more

The onwer asked me a couple of questions, What are you looking for, so I said a pocket pistol solom board, he then showes me every thing he has that was not even close to what I was looking for. Then he said he could get me one, so I said how much and he said about 50.00 more for the board that I could get for 144.00. Then I asked for some risers for my longboard, He had them and said they were 4.00 a peice (Wow) so I then pulled out my credit card He goes no way, I only do credit on orders over 25.00. What a shame, and you call yourself a business man. Not good business. He also went on to say that he does coorperate rentals and he does not need the little locals to support him. Pros: a skate shop Cons: Not very good more

The first thing that struck me was how nice the owner was. I have been calling the store for about a week, waiting for my desired board to come in. When it finally came, the first thing I did was go the store to pick it up. I was so happy. The owner (Chris) was nothing but nice to me and struck up a nice conversation. The environment in the store is a pleaseant one. I highly recommend this store. ~Serge Pros: Nice people, Location Cons: Not the cheapest more

I'm not a skateboarder. To me, a skate shop carries Bauer and CCM. That's right, Hockey. This place is just about the best place to get your skates sharpened in Boston. The guy who runs the place is a little nutty, and you may get sucked into a real (*gasp*) conversation if you walk in on a random afternoon. The prices on service are high, but it's excellent quality service. He carries little in-stock, but can get average prices ordering from suppliers. The reasons to shop here for hockey gear are twofold: * This is a REAL local business that is owned by a real local. Shopping here supports a real community. He's a little crazy, but he knows his hockey gear and sharpens the crap out of a pair of skates. * It is extremely convenient for anyone who lives in downtown boston. He even has sunday hours. Pros: Location, Expertise Cons: Prices more