Marathon Sports Reopens on Boylston Street

Nearly two weeks after explosions rocked the finish line of the Boston Marathon, Boylston Street is coming back to life, as businesses reopen and the area thatwas closed off as a crime scene is bustling once again.

The street was officially reopened to pedestrian traffic on Wednesday.

Among those to reopen this week was Marathon Sports at 671 Boylston St., which was damaged when one of the two bombs went off on April 15.

Store manager Shane O’Hara told the Boston Herald the reopening was “pretty emotional” and that he hadn’t been able to shake the images he witnessed in the aftermath of the bombing.

“There’s a lot that went on that day,” O’Hara told the Herald. “Everyone has their moments . . . I hope it’s a healing process.”

Among the items customers were buying this week at Marathon Sports were “Boston Strong” T-shirts and marathon gear, the proceeds of which will benefit The One Fund Boston for bombing victims and their families.

In an effort to encourage shoppers to return to the Copley Square area, Mayor Tom Menino announced earlier this week that parking will be free at parking meters throughout the Back Bay area through Sunday, April 28.

The city has also set up a resource center for businesses in the area. Located at Boston Public Library's Central Branch, 700 Boylston St. (in the Washington Room, from the Dartmouth Street entrance), the center will be open Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. 

City Hall to Go will also be open the same hours as the resource center and is located at Blagden and Darthmouth streets, according to cityofboston.gov.