We went to JP Centre/South Main Street on 23th Feb. we learned about small businesses. It’s related to sustainable cities and communities.
I had been there many times before, but I didn’t know that the organization helped those businesses in Jamaica Plain to be successful.
At first, we went to a bakery shop. They have run for 18 years. They are taking care of the communication with customers. They have a problem because of COVID. It is difficult to get milk. I thought COVID influences many kinds. There is like a cabin in front of the shop. The reason is that customers can eat outside and the number of parking cars decreases.
A grocery store gets almost food from locals. They make a fair trade. It helps poor employees. It also leads to raising the price. I could see many tags that are written “local.” They recycle and have a community refrigerator. Anyone can dominate food and take them. I thought it was very nice for poor people.
A toy store delivers by themselves because they try to become close with the customers.
A smoothie shop started to take out because of COVID. However, then they had to use plastic, which is terrible for the environment. They thought about another way to take out without plastic.
I asked the director how she earned. She presides those businesses as a volunteer, so she works on nonprofits. She gave money from the government and donations.
I didn’t know the structure of small businesses before the field trip. Those shops are near our school, so I want to go shopping there more to get to know them.
Mai Takeyama
