July 14, 2026 By Marisa Olsen
If you’ve walked in downtown Hingham chances are you’ve browsed the racks at ASSEMBLY, the iconic apparel shop at 88 North Street, founded by Matt Gallagher and Evan Shuman. ASSEMBLY has been a style-savvy Hingham destination for nearly 10 years. Now, there’s a newcomer joining the mix at the same address; meet holly & olive, a homegoods and gift boutique tucked around the corner.
The boutiques offer shoppers two distinct but complementary experiences, only adding to the charm and appeal of strolling along historic downtown Hingham. And, now that summer is underway, it’s the perfect time to shop locally and stock up on seasonal apparel, gorgeous housewares, unique accessories, household treasures, and hosting gifts (we promise we won’t judge you if you keep any and all treasures for yourselves). From the perfect (and flattering) denim shorts to gorgeous glassware for your al fresco spritzes, the teams at ASSEMBLY and holly & olive at 88 North Street have you covered.
We had the opportunity to chat with Matt and Holly to learn about what they love about Hingham, how a snowstorm forged a new beginning, and of course, how much they love their local customers.
Congrats on your recent 8 year anniversary! Reflecting on the past few years, what have been some of the highlights?
Matt: Well, the people of course. The clients and staff have shaped the entire experience of ASSEMBLY and I’m forever grateful for the relationships I’ve garnered and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. When I first opened ASSEMBLY, it was a co-ed shop and I have really grown to love the independence of having distinct “His + Hers” locations in Hingham. I also want to highlight The Test Kitchen; I loved what Evan introduced and I hope to bring the home category back in-store soon.
As a frequent customer, one of the things that draws me to ASSEMBLY is the personalized experience.
Matt: We’re fortunate to have loyal clients and we pick up right where we left off, while seamlessly working new arrivals or fitting them for an item they have their eye on. We get straight to business with styling and making our customers feel confident in our apparel. The styling experience is hard to beat! We’re in touch with our clients often to introduce them to new brands or items from their favorite brands but most importantly, we keep them in mind as we order future seasons. When I’m in New York for seasonal buys, I’m shopping for individual clients and from that, I’m able to fill an assortment within each brand.
What can customers expect to find at ASSEMBLY and what do we need in our closets?
Matt: Denim has been a top category for ASSEMBLY and we see that trend continuing through summer with lighter weight denim and looser fits. Our linen offering from Citizens of Humanity, DONNI., and Velvet by Graham and Spencer have already been scooped up, but rest assured, we have more on the way! For Him, we’ve got beautiful cotton polos and tees in red, white and blue if you want to keep America’s 250th celebration going all summer long! For Her, we’re excited to welcome cotton terry sets from The Great, and of course our assortment of woven summer handbags from Bembien.
https://www.hollyandolive.com/
What drew you to your new space?
Holly: When one door closes, another opens! Holly & olive moved to 88 North Street with the ASSEMBLY Hers team early this spring. Our first year in business at 28 South Street came to an unexpected halt after the January snowstorm. Fortunately for me the store, our downtown Hingham neighbors showed up with arms and doors wide open, literally. Matt was at the door and he offered me the space connected to ASSEMBLY Hers; I am always grateful for the Hingham community and the small businesses on the South Shore, which remind me why I got into this business. Human connection, support and friendship. I’m forever grateful for these people.
How did holly & olive come to be?
Holly: I have a long-standing career in marketing and advertising, but after my second child was born, I knew I needed to lean into something that sparked more joy and creativity. I decided to take the plunge and open a boutique, which I had been dreaming about for years. The shop is named after myself (Holly) and my son is Oliver, and is modelled after my adoration for the English Cottage Core style while also infusing a playful and whimsical Mediterranean seaside aesthetic.
What type of items can customers expect to find when they step inside?
Holly: We’ve handpicked a playful mix of goods for your home and entertaining – think handmade glassware for kitchen and bar, and of course, caviar accessories! Our gorgeous ginger jar lamps and shades are a prized speciality of the shop. Each lamp is handmade by artisans in Hong Kong and is adorned with a handmade silk tassel of your choice, complimentary with purchase. They make a fantastic wedding gift or heirloom addition to your home and are exclusive to our boutique. We also offer bright hosting pieces for a standout tablescape moment, such as vases, pitchers, tablecloths, and linen or paper napkins. We offer a selection of cozy items, such as handmade, block-printed pillows, throws, and hand-loomed cotton quilts. For the bag collectors, we have canvas totes, clutches, beach bags, and water/boat bags for every outing.
We are particularly proud of our unique art collection by local women, fun stationery, games, notepads, greeting cards, and jewelry. Our latest collection of Mahjong tiles and game accessories are flying off the shelves, and we are always restocking favorite customer brands like Inner Child, Casa Amarosa, The Ginger Jar Lamp Company, Furbish, Crow Canyon, Freshwater Goods, and One & Only Paper. Stop by and find something you’ll love!
What’s something you both want readers to know?
Matt & Holly: Shop local, shop sustainably, hug your neighbors, and check in on your people!