From the Community
JP Local First Logo

Meet JP’s ‘Hidden Gems’ at Local First Fair on September 14th

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Jamaica Plain is known for its eclectic mix of locally-owned, community-oriented retail stores, restaurants, and cafes, but it’s also the home of many “hidden gems” that residents don’t usually see. Everyone will get the chance to know more than 40 independent, locally-owned businesses and nonprofits will exhibit at the Jamaica Plain Local First Fair on September 14 at the Loring-Greenough House. The fair will be held from 3:30 pm to dusk at the Loring-Greenough House (12 South St.). The rain date is Thursday, September 21st, from 3:30 pm to dusk at the same location. The Local First Fair will feature businesses that offer a wide range of personal and professional services, including coaching, financial services, holistic health, legal, marketing, personal training, photography and printing.

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Business

JP Local First Launches $1,000 Selfie Contest to Promote ‘Buy Local’

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JP Local First, a network of local and independently owned businesses, is promoting “Buy Local” by offering a $1,000 shopping spree to people who snap and post a selfie at a JP Local First member business. “JP Local First has 170 member businesses in Jamaica Plain and surrounding neighborhoods,” said Steering Committee member David Warner. “The selfie contest and our other events offer fun ways for folks in JP to help local businesses do good and do well.”

Nationally, businesses in communities that offer a sustained grassroots “buy independent/buy local” initiative like JP Local First have increased sales nearly twice as much as businesses in communities without these campaigns, according to the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA). Participants can enter by snapping a selfie at a JP Local First member business and posting the photo to social media with the hashtag #jplocalfirst and the hashtag for that business. In addition to the grand prize, which will give the winner two hours to spend the $1000 at a minimum of 5 member businesses, a $100 prize will be awarded for the person who submits the most entries.

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Best of Boston

Cash Mob at On Centre

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hosted by JP Local First, Show a little local love! Join us for a fun night of local shopping, refreshments, giveaways, and more at On Centre. Located at 676 Centre street. 25% off all T-shirts and summer pool floats

Free refreshments while you shop

FREE JP button with every purchase

Opinion

Letter to the Editor: Shop Locally First

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I have been asked, “why am I a member of JP Local First?” Well, I choose to spend my money where I think it will do the most good. Sometimes that means looking for a good deal, other times it means supporting my fellow neighbor, while looking to get a quality service or product, and meeting my needs. It is with helping my fellow neighbor in mind that I choose to support locally owned businesses. I don't do this to just to feel good, but rather to capitalize on an opportunity to improve or sustain the livelihood of those close to me. Local institutions bring a certain variety to a neighborhood, even helping to enhance the uniqueness of our JP and surrounding neighborhoods.

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Business

Papercuts JP Draws Crowds at Boston Book Festival Saturday

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Opened a year ago at 5 Green St., Papercuts JP was prominently displayed Saturday at the seventh annual Boston Book Festival held at Copley Square and adjacent venues. Working in collaboration with Harvard Book Store, Papercuts JP was one of seven metropolitan-area independent booksellers at the Book Festival. Boston proper has only two independent book sellers focusing on new books: Trident on Newbury Street and Papercuts JP. Papercuts JP had a table overflowing with new books at the Boston Common Hotel on the second floor conference room. This summer, Jamaica Plain News spoke to proprietor Kate Layte about her first seven months in business.

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Alison Moronta, business development director for the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Association, shares a smile with Jason Waddleton, owner of The Haven, which hosted a meeting of Hyde and Jackson Square business owners on May 13, 2015.
Business

Biz Leaders in Hyde and Jackson Squares Aim to Work Together

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[Editor's note: This report is being reproduced in English by kind arrangement with El Mundo Newspaper, where it originally appeared.]

Business owners in two of Boston’s most Latino neighborhoods, Hyde and Jackson squares in Jamaica Plain, aim to work together to bring in more customers. In two recent sessions hosted by Hyde Jackson Square Main Street and the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corp., a total of more than 30 business owners strategized on how to improve the business environment. Business owners at the first meeting, held May 13 at the Julia Martin House, focused on safety, parking and cleanliness, said Rafael Mejia, owner of Evelyn’s Market and president of the Hyde Jackson Square Merchants Association. Mejia said business owners want to give people more reasons to go into Hyde and Jackson squares. “A lot of people don’t know what’s in the neighborhood,” Mejia said.

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

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

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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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From the Community

JP Local First is Hiring!

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JP Local First, a nonprofit organization of independent locally-owned businesses, is searching for a Coordinator who will work part-time 15-20 hours per week. Job includes: promoting membership and soliciting new member businesses, managing member database, creating a member directory, including selling ad space, preparing financial reports, creating content for the JP Local First website, and managing social media. Candidate must be organized, have good communication skills, a self-starter, and comfortable with Quickbooks, Paypal, Google Docs, and spreadsheets. Fluency in English and Spanish as well as familiarity with the JP Community preferred. Submit resume and letter of interest to jplocalfirst@gmail.com

For more information and job description visit: www.jplocalfirst.org

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