Are you and your POS ready for the Penny Shortage?

The U.S. Mint has discontinued production of the penny, leaving many businesses literally penniless. This can make cash transactions tough.   Here are some tips to remember: From the U.S. Treasury: As pennies fall out of circulation and states adapt their laws and policies accordingly, we recommend rounding for cash payments…

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Emergency Loan Fund NOW OPEN

JP Centre/South Main Streets has created an Emergency Loan Fund for small businesses in the JP Centre/South Main Streets district. It is a revolving micro-loan fund for our small businesses who have experience a catastrophic emergency that prevents your business from operating. The loan is: All requests are reviewed and…

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2025 Business and Volunteer of the Year

JP Centre/South Main Streets would like to recognize our 2025 Business of the Year, City Feed & Supply, and our 2025 Volunteer of the Year, Peter McCoubrey! Our awardees were recognized at a celebration on October 20, 2025 hosted by the Boston Main Streets Foundation at the Artists for Humanity…

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TECH ASST: Tariffs – What Now? Explanations and Strategies

A discussion with Revby Marketing about the changing situation with tariffs and how it will affect small businesses in Boston and Jamaica Plain, along with strategies on how to prepare for the upcoming months.

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Inaugural Storefront Grants Awarded

JP Centre/South Main Streets has awarded the first of its inaugural Storefront Grants to five businesses/organizations in the JP Centre/South business district. We are proud to announce that each of the following businesses will receive $2000: Each business submitted an application and plan for a new sign, new awning, or…

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New Storefront Grant Program from JP Centre/South Main Streets

All applications are reviewed and approved by JP Centre/South Main Streets. All businesses and nonprofits in the district are eligible, however, applicants must show a current lease, a certificate of good standing, and financial need. All new signage designs need to be approved by JP Centre/South Main Streets. See additional…

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New Board Member Elected at Annual Meeting

JP Centre/South Main Streets held their Annual Meeting last night at Eliot Hall, home of the Footlight Club, and held elections for new board members. We are proud to welcome Rosanna Báez, owner of Prophecy of the Beauty Salon at 152 South Street, Jamaica Plain., as our newest board member.…

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City Council Hearing on Commercial Vacancies

Our Executive Director recently spoke as a panelist in a City Council Hearing on Commercial Vacancies on Friday, November 15, 2024. Docket #1397Order for a hearing to discuss long-term vacant commercial spaces in the City of Boston.This matter was sponsored by Councilors Benjamin Weber, Julia Mejia, and Enrique Pepen, and…

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Outdoor Dining Repercussions

Our Executive Director, Ginger Brown, was recently quoted on Slate.com. In an article about the changing landscape of outdoor dining, Henry Grabar explores how cities have or have not incorporated outdoor dining into their oversight. In Boston, we continue to struggle with the inequities of the application process and requirements.…

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LuMeNet: Black History Month

We had a great turnout at our Lunch for Mentoring & Networking on February 27, 2024. Our guest speaker and board member, Jabrina Pullum, owner of VX at 668 Centre Street, Jamaica Plain, shared her experiences in opening her small business, and advice for those on the same journey. The…

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