Shop local in Jamaica Plain with this reader guide
“The neighborhood is chock-full of fantastic local businesses.”
In Boston’s Jamaica Plain neighborhood, shopping local is made easy thanks to the many locally-owned and operated small businesses. The neighborhood’s main thoroughfares, Centre Street and South Street, are lined with plenty of these unique shops and restaurants that give JP its distinctive flair.
When asked to share their favorite small business in the neighborhood, Boston.com readers shared 24 destinations they love, including an auto repair shop, a video rental store that doubles as a café, and America’s oldest continuously running community theater.
“To be clear, the neighborhood is chock-full of fantastic local businesses,” Jonathan from Jamaica Plain said. “I’ve lived in different cities and different parts of Boston, and I have never experienced the level of connection to local proprietors that I have since moving to Jamaica Plain.”
Get to know the local businesses that keep Jamaica Plain going with this reader-recommended guide. Below, find a full reader-recommended list, as well as an interactive map, of readers’ favorite small businesses in Jamaica Plain.
The small businesses that were among the most recommended reader picks are marked with a 🏆.
Arborway Auto Services Center
207 South St., Jamaica Plain
Arborway Auto was founded in 1971 by Sal Zirilli. Sal’s son Mike, who joined the business in 1988, has been running the daily operations for over fifteen years. Arborway Auto services both foreign and domestic cars.
Readers say: “Mom and Pop auto repair shop that really looks after their customers! Greg is the nicest guy!” – Jacqui R., Jamaica Plain
Blue Frog Bakery
3 Green St., Jamaica Plain
Blue Frog Bakery is a 20 year old bakery in Jamaica Plain.
Readers say: “Blue Frog simply has the best bread in town. It’s the only bread we would eat after spending a month in Portugal. I also love having the VU close by. Their coffee is *great* and the chocolate peanut butter oat bars are addictive and the staff is great!” – Jennifer T., Jamaica Plain
Boston Pilates
160 Green St., Jamaica Plain
Boston Pilates Studio is a pilates studio in Jamaica Plain teaching the classical method of pilates.
Readers say: “Boston Pilates is a rare gem. They teach classical Pilates and truly welcome people of all types and ability levels.” – Lindsey, Jamaica Plain
Casa Verde
711 Centre St., Boston
Casa Verde is a taqueria serving veggie-friendly tacos plus more standard Mexican dishes.
Readers say: “Kind of a hidden gem on Centre St. across from Boomerangs. One of the few places you’ll find a diverse clientele that reflects the neighborhood, chill vibe, friendly staff, the nachos are amazing, low key great cocktails, and patio in the summer.” – Steph., Jamaica Plain
DIVERSITY Consignment 🏆
713 Centre St., Jamaica Plain
DIVERSITY Consignment is a community-oriented consignment shop featuring curated men’s, women’s and unisex clothing, vinyl records, instruments and local artisan pieces.
Readers say: “Great vibe in the store. Awesome selection and consignment/trade-ins are fairly compensated. The DC team is also very accessible via instagram 🙂 They have been doing so much to support local artists and build community. Diversity Consignment is incredible!!” – Topher P., Back Bay
Evergreen Eatery & Cafe
154 Green St., Jamaica Plain
Evergreen Eatery & Cafe is a cafe with a patio offering breakfast, burgers, sandwiches, as well as dinner specials and coffee.
Readers say: “Both restaurants are owned by the same owner – Phil. The food in each place is delicious!” – R.M., Jamaica Plain
Galway House
710 Centre St., Jamaica Plain
The Galway House is a family restaurant and Irish pub (owned and operated since 1960) offering Italian and American food and drink options.
Readers say: “Great food, reasonable prices, friendly staff and great people.” – David B., Jamaica Plain
J.P. Licks
659 Centre St., Boston
J.P. Licks, founded in 1981 in Jamaica Plain, now has 17 stores in the Greater Boston area. The ice cream parlor also offers frozen yogurt, coffee, and bakery items.
Readers say: “Friendly service, consistently excellent products, fast service when lines are long open year round, supportive of many neighborhood charities, churches and schools, locally owned by a JP resident for 43 years.” – Vincent P., Jamaica Plain
JP Seafood
730 Centre St., Jamaica Plain
JP Seafood Cafe is a Korean and Japanese restaurant open in Jamaica Plain since 1996.
Local Vyntage 🏆
386 Centre St., Jamaica Plain
Local Vyntage was founded in 2016 by Chet Winnicki. It offers vintage apparel that is made, labeled, and screen printed in the United States.
Readers say: “Local Vyntage is such a cool spot in JP. They sell old school T-shirts and hoodies and going there is like a trip back in time – Caldor, Bradlees, Great Woods, Paragon Park – it’s awesome. They also have this cool little corner that’s like an 80s bedroom with old Nintendo games and everything. Love Local Vyntage!” – Brittany, Jamaica Plain
Monumental Market
36 South St., Jamaica Plain
Monument Market is a woman-owned, peanut and tree nut free bakery and record shop. All baked goods are made from scratch by sister business Lavender Bee Baking Co, all coffee is locally roasted and delivered fresh, and all vinyl records are curated by Vinyl Index.
Readers say: “Walking into this coffee shop/bakery/plant store/record store is like getting a good hug. The lattes and baked goods are amazing and it’s so fun looking at the plants and records while waiting for your order.” – Caroline, Jamaica Plain
Noodle Barn
707 Centre St., Jamaica Plain
Noodle Barn is a Thai-Vietnamese restaurant offering dishes ranging from banh mi sandwiches to pho.
Readers say: “The food is really good as is the service. Prices are reasonable.” – Stan, Jamaica Plain
On Centre
676 Centre St., Jamaica Plain
On Centre is a gift shop that opened in 2006 that has grown into a mini-department store; with micro-departments that are ever-rotating, you’ll find whimsical clothing, funky jewelry, funny gifts, and beautiful stationery.
Readers say: “Great creative inventory, women’s funky fun clothes at a low price point. Beautiful Jewelry, cards, candles. The best place to buy gifts, for a girlfriend, boyfriend, mom and dad, new baby. They carry Jelly Cat stuffies, fancy chocolates and for a big splurge HOBO bags and backpacks.” – Leslie A., Jamaica Plain
Purple Cactus
674 Centre St., Jamaica Plain
Purple Cactus, a burrito restaurant, opened its first location in Provincetown, Massachusetts in June 1993. At the time, the menu consisted of just three kinds of burritos. Now, the restaurant offers salads, soups, wraps, quesadillas, nachos and more.
Readers say: “We have been eating at Purple Cactus for 20 years. The food has been consistently fresh and delicious for 2 decades. The staff is kind and the service is super reliable. I could eat a veggie taco salad from PC every week.” – Elizabeth, Jamaica Plain
Said & Done Tattoo
68 South St., Jamaica Plain
Said & Done Tattoo was established in 2020 as a small group of professional artists striving to provide an authentic environment dedicated to craftsmanship, art, and tattooing.
Readers say: “They are the kindest, most talented artists I’ve ever met! The shop prides itself on being inclusive & a safe space, and they deliver ten-fold.” – Kayla, Jamaica Plain
Same Old Place
662 Centre St., Jamaica Plain
Same Old Place is a pizza restaurant which also serves pasta dishes, dinners, and breakfast.
Readers say: “Never had a bad meal here and there’s plenty of variety. The pizza is great!” – Ashley, Jamaica Plain
The BYTE Shop
48 South St., Jamaica Plain
The BYTE Shop is a community focused electronics repair, resale, and recycling shop.
Readers say: “Every main street has ice cream & coffee shops and cute boutiques, but no other main street has a computer history museum (that also does repairs to computers and phones). Anyone can walk in, see decades of working old computers, and play vintage computer games. Tim, the owner, is friendly, knowledgeable, patient and a gift to JP!” – Alice, Jamaica Plain
The Footlight Club 🏆
7 Eliot St., Jamaica Plain
The Footlight Club is America’s oldest continually producing community theater and has performed every year since 1877.
Readers say: “If you’re a theater lover, how can you not love the Footlight Club, America’s oldest community theater. They’re just completing their 147th season! That’s a lengthy history, yet they combine classic shows like The Sound of Music and Wait Until Dark with hip musicals like Heathers: the Musical and Xanadu. Edgy work like Lynn Nottage’s Sweat, or Clybourne Park work beside new shows such as Vanya, Sonia, Masha, and Spike, or this season’s closer, Tuck Everlasting (opening April 20!). Powered completely by volunteers, it’s a place for the community who can rent space, or even put on their plays downstairs in their blackbox space. And true fact, several long-married couples met while volunteering at the Footlight Club.” – Michael C., Jamaica Plain
The Real Deal
736 Centre St., Jamaica Plain
The Real Deal is a deli with a large menu of sandwiches, subs, wraps, paninis, plus burgers and pizza.
Readers say: “Great food, good prices and friendly service.” – B.D., Arlington
The VU (Video Underground) 🏆
3203 Washington St., Jamaica Plain
The VU is Boston’s only video rental store, a micro-batch coffee roaster, a full-service coffee shop, and a 24-seat microcinema
Readers say: “How many video stores still exist in the world? Especially ones that carry fantastic coffee, baked goods, and a caring and knowledgeable owner plus staff? Oh, not to mention they have a theater that offers both public and private viewings- and a stack of dog treats for our furry friends. The VU is a true neighborhood gem- if you haven’t been yet, what are you waiting for?” – Kelly O., Roslindale
Tres Gatos
470 Centre St., Jamaica Plain
Tres Gatos is Boston’s first full-service restaurant, book, and music store, according to their website.
Readers say: “The food and drink are amazing, but what makes this a neighborhood favorite is the book and record store. The staff/bartenders are all amazing, especially Phil!” – Eric R., Jamaica Plain
Vee Vee
763 Centre St., Jamaica Plain
Vee Vee is a New American restaurant, established in 2008, serving fresh, creative, seasonal dishes.
Readers say: “Awesome, community-minded owners and excellent food.” – J.T., Jamaica Plain
Yumont True Value Hardware
702 Centre St., Jamaica Plain
Yumont True Value Hardware store is located on Jamaica Plain’s busy Centre Street.
Readers say: “Great little hardware store that has virtually everything you need and it’s the type of place where they know your name. We are so lucky to have them!!” – Jamie D., Jamaica Plain
40 South St.
40 South St., Jamaica Plain
40 South St. (formerly called Gumshoe) has been a vintage clothing store for over 30 years. The store offers a rotating selection of hand picked vintage fashions from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s)
Readers say: “Awesome vintage shop!” – Jim, Jamaica Plain
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