Readers React to New Clothing Store on Centre

Readers provided their opinions on what businesses they'd like to see in the neighborhood.

Earlier in the week, Jamaica Plain Patch asked readers what type of business they would like to see move into the space that used to belong to the now-shuttered Cafe Society, a clothing store at 606 Centre St.  Before Jamaica Plain Patch revealed that a locally-owned men's clothing store, Caramelo Clothing, would be moving in toward the end of March, readers had several suggestions about what they would like to see fill the space. Reader Heavy D Up In The Limousine said: "Dying for a theater of some kind..." Reader Guy Pondside said: "How about a clothing store that DOESN'T sell used clothing?" Reader Karen said: Bagels.... What type of business would you like to see added to the business sector of Jamaica Plain? Add to the conversation in…

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Men’s Clothing Store Opening at Cafe Society Location

Jamaica Plain Patch got an answer to the questions posed earlier this week.

The doors are locked at Café Society, formerly a women’s clothing store at 606 Centre St., and though readers had plenty of suggestions for the new business, it turns out there’s already one planned for the space: a men’s clothing store. Caramelo Clothing will open at the space sometime in late March, according to owner Carolina Tejedor-Meyers, but it could be sooner. “We have a countdown clock on the website,” she said in a phone interview, “It’s nerve wracking.” She said the store will specialize in men's clothing and accessories. Tejedor-Meyers is a first-time clothing storeowner, but a long time Jamaica Plain resident. She lives just down the street from the location, and has been in Jamaica Plain for 12 years. She is originally from …

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Sneaker and Skateboard Shop GotSole 1981 Closes

The owner said high rents and lower traffic than expected forced him to close.

The entrepreneur behind GotSole 1981, an apparel and skateboard shop on Centre Street, has closed his JP retail space. "We love JP with everything in us, we just couldn't afford to stay there due to the rent being so high," said Joel Harper in an email to Patch. Harper said the clothing store, which specialized in hip urban wear including sneakers, might open a storefront in Egleston Square in early 2013. Meanwhile, the business continues online at http://www.gotsole1981.com/. Harper said he thanked JP and the community for their support. The 617 Centre St. space now stands vacant.

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The Story Behind JP Institution George's Shoes

The well-known, no-frills shoe store in Jamaica Plain has recovered from the 2008 recession and sold more than 1,000 pairs of shoes last year.

One of JP's oldest retail businesses, George's Shoes, fits into a tiny but absolutely packed space of roughly 400 sq. ft. A rack of clothing and accessories stands in the center. Shoes line the perimeter of the 669 Centre St. institution. Well-used benches skirt the shelving and designer specialties hang by wooden clothespins on open shoe boxes. Customers stream in and out constantly. There is nothing elegant about George's except the shoes themselves and the simplicity of it all. With no frills, an ear constantly to the ground, and a contact list in the industry over 50 years deep, Benton "Ben" Abrams turns up one lot of designer shoes after another. Shoes can be an endless obsession. It is not uncommon for a woman to buy a specific pair …

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New Shoe Store, Millipede, Opens on Pond Street

Purveyor of comfortable shoes, Riyo Hirota has opened a shop that hopes to capitalize on the casual JP lifestyle.

Millipede, Jamaica Plain's newest shoe store, quietly opened its doors at 7 Pond St. on July 16. After working out the kinks, its grand opening on August 4th was timed to make a bigger impact, taking advantage of JP's monthly retail celebration, First Thursday. Owner Riyo Hirota, 32, said that the turnout at the grand opening was encouraging and the initial days have been as good as can been expected. Although there's a possibility that the store will be immediately profitable, she is prepared for an extended period of little to no profitability which is characteristic for new businesses. She expects to do what it takes in the meantime and for now is the company's only full time employee. Comfortable with hard work, Hirota has been living …

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JP's Susana DeVoe Draws on Architecture in Her Accessory Designs

DeVoe's studio is on Elm Street.

Susana DeVoe hails from Portugal, but she came of age in New Bedford, Mass. She remains very much in-tune with her Portuguese roots, visits her family there every few years and speaks three languages (Portuguese, Spanish, French). DeVoe began her artistic career after attending the Wentworth Institute of Technology, but has since shacked up on Elm Street in Jamaica Plain where she runs a crafty design firm called MAKE.GOOD. She's a regular at the SoWa Open Market in the South End. You can also find her bags at Salmagundi on Centre Street. DeVoe’s current work certainly pulls from her experience in architecture, which continues to this day. But it’s a mighty far cry from her first gig out of college, where she was asked to design a Storage …

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Designer Hopes to Appeal to Diversity of Jamaica Plain

Justo García, founder of clothing and accessories company Roots United, discusses how culture inspires designs.

Justo García, a Dominican Republic native and Jamaica Plain resident, has turned a talent discovered during childhood into a flourishing business entrepreneur. He has turned his passion for drawing and sketching into a venture, starting his own business, Roots United LLC, selling t-shirts and accessories that characterize the immigrant community and the unique traits of JP. García joins Hyde Square Task Force during its "Summer Nights Out" series to display and sell his work. In a Q&A with the JP Patch, he talks about culture and the JP community. Why did you decide to partner with HTSF during Summer Nights Out? I represent culture with all the t-shirts I design. I wanted to connect with HSTF, and I had an idea a couple of weeks ago, to …

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Homegrown

Q&A: Salmagundi Owners Have a Head Up on Hats

Salmagundi owners Jessen Fitzpatrick and Andria Rapagnola talk about staying jazzy, the stories behind hats, and their JP store's special vibe.

America’s love affair with big, floppy hats lasted about as long as the champagne toasts raised in front of TV sets broadcasting the nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton. But at Salmagundi on Centre Street, the fascination for hats of all kinds is evergreen and as palpable as the funky grooves playing from the store’s latest playlist. With an inventory of about 7,500 hats—ranging from Panama to pork pie to bucket to flat caps, and including their own signature line—you won’t want for a show-stopping or understated head topper. That’s in addition to a boutique-like selection of clothing, handbags, and jewelry. Owners and husband/wife Jessen Fitzpatrick and Andria Rapagnola—who rock the hat look so well you feel immediately …

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