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Hear about Jamaica Plain’s favorite small businesses, including restaurants, bars, bookstores, cafes, thrift stores, and more.
Small Business Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, drew a crowd of shoppers to the Center Street store in Jamaica Plain. Angela Sabir looks at sweaters at the On Center store. (Photo by John Turmacchi/Globe Staff)
Jamaica Plain is a vibrant region home to young families, professionals, artists, and activists. The area’s main thoroughfares, Center Street and South Street, are lined with independent shops and restaurants.
These small businesses give JP its unique feel, cater to a variety of interests and needs, and represent the cultural diversity of the neighborhood.
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The area’s Hyde Square, Jackson Square, and Eggleston Square areas are home to a large Spanish-speaking population, primarily from the Dominican Republic, as well as Puerto Rico and Cuba. Hyde Square was officially named Boston’s Latin Quarter in 2016, and the Council for Popular Culture followed suit in 2018, naming the area Boston’s Latin Quarter.
In 2019, about half of the 104 businesses along Center Street in the Latin Quarter were Latino-owned or operated, contributing to the district’s identity. These small businesses include barbershops, hair salons, bodegas, and restaurants where visitors can enjoy Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Dominican cuisine.
Jamaica Plain has many restaurants and bars. There’s iconic ice cream shop JP Licks, dog-friendly bakery Blue Frog Bakery, Tres Gatos (a restaurant that also operates a book and record store), and plenty of other restaurants and bars with a variety of cuisines.
In addition to food, there are many other places to check out. If you’re looking for unique and affordable clothing, head to one of the many thrift stores in your area. To add it to your record collection, visit one of several record stores. If you’re biking around Jamaica Pond or the Arnold Arboretum, stop by your local bike shop.
The list of nearby small businesses includes a community theater (Footlight Club is America’s oldest community theater), Boston’s only video rental store, and more.
If you live in Jamaica Plain or visit Jamaica Plain on a regular basis, we want to know what your favorite small businesses are and why.
What makes this experience at a small business so special? If you have any memories of this place, we’d love to hear them.
Please fill out the form or email us below. [email protected]Your answer may be featured in a future Boston.com article.
What is your favorite small business in Jamaica Plain?
