Gerry Ford, founder of Caffè Nero, makes a point during a meeting with the JP Business & Professional Assoc. on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2014.

JP Business Group Stands Firm on ‘No’ to Caffè Nero

Give Caffè Nero executives credit — they waded into a basement meeting room crammed with local business owners already on record as not wanting the international coffee house chain in Jamaica Plain. But while several members of the JP Business & Professional Assoc. were complimentary of the presentation and question-and-answer session provided by the U.K.-based coffee giant, Caffè Nero didn't change any votes. The presentation, the family-owned chain's third so far in JP, came Thursday during a meeting at Prudential Realty on Centre Street. Caffè Nero has a signed lease to move into 733 Centre St., across from Blanchards.

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Jay Gentile, director of Caffè Nero's U.S. operations, shows a rendering of the chain's proposed JP location to board members of the Pond Association on Monday, Sept. 8, 2014.

Neighborhood Group Okays Caffè Nero By Wide Margin

While two local business organizations — JP Local First and the JP Business & Professional Association — have come out strongly against Caffè Nero opening in JP, the first neighborhood group to hold a vote gave it strong support. On Monday night the European coffee giant, a family-owned company that has grown to more than 650 cafes in seven countries, sought the blessing of the Jamaica Pond Association for the city licenses they'll need. The coffee house aims to open at 733 Centre St. That's the former Commonwealth Bank location across from Blanchards. London-based Caffè Nero brought significant executive firepower to Monday's meeting, including Michael Ford-Deegan, brother of the company's founder, Gerry.

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Rendering of interior for Caffè Nero's 733 Centre St. location showing window onto Blanchards.

Caffè Nero Jamaica Plain: Here’s What It Would Look Like

Caffè Nero, a chain of European coffee houses aiming to open on Centre Street beside Blanchards, showed the Jamaica Pond Association renderings Monday night. Take a look. Two local business organizations — JP Local First and the JP Business & Professional Association — have come out against the family-owned coffee house opening in JP. On Monday night the Pond Association voted strongly not to oppose Caffè Nero. Here are the rest of the renderings.

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Caffè Nero, 560 Washington St., on June 20, 2014.

Pond Association Takes Up Caffè Nero Monday

Rise and shine, JP! Here's your Morning Memo for Monday, Sept. 8. Neighborhood Group to Consider Caffè Nero Request: One of JP's biggest issues these days is whether Caffè Nero will indeed wind up opening in the old Commonwealth Bank space beside Blanchards on Centre Street. JP's business organizations launched a united front against the idea.

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Caffè Nero, 560 Washington St., on June 20, 2014.

Sneak Peek: What Caffè Nero Jamaica Plain Might Look Like

A UK-based coffeehouse, Caffè Nero, plans to open in Jamaica Plain. It would be the international chain's second location in the United States. For a preview of what JP could expect, we hopped the Orange Line for a look at their Downtown Crossing location. The Millennium Place Caffè Nero is at 560 Washington St., across the street from the Paramount Theatre. There's sidewalk seating.

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733 Centre St.

JP Local First Urges Landlord to Tear Up Lease with UK Coffee Giant

The neighborhood would be better served if the landlord at 733 Centre St. picked a tenant other than Caffè Nero, the London-based coffee and sandwich chain which plans to open a second Boston location there. At least that's the argument one local business group is making. JP Local First wrote a letter to Christine Elder, who owns the former Commonwealth Bank spot. Elder is a well-known figure in JP and Boston business circles as president of Blanchards Wines & Spirits.

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