JP Local First

PO Box 301628
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
www.JPLocalFirst.org


Christine Elder
418 Lagrange Street
West Roxbury, MA 02132

Dear Christine,

We, members of JP Local First - a local organization dedicated to supporting small and
independent business owners in Jamaica Plain and neighboring communities - are
concerned about Caffe Neros desire to open a location in Jamaica Plain. As neighbors and
fellow business owners we urge you to reconsider your decision to sign a lease with
Caffe Nero Corporation.

As you know, Jamaica Plain is a unique and vibrant community that values families, small
businesses, and locally owned stores. We are concerned in particular about the effect that
Caffe Nero would have on existing small businesses in the Centre/South street area. We
already have three other businesses providing coffee, baked goods, and sandwiches. We
would rather see a new independent or locally owned business that can provide a new or
necessary service rather than another coffee and sandwich shop that will directly
compete with the existing locally owned businesses providing the same needs.

Your decision on who to rent to will make a direct impact on local economy and local
business owners in Jamaica Plain. The Institute for Local Self-Reliance reported that a
2003 study in Maine found that residents spending $100 at a big box retailer would
generate only $14 in additional local spending. That same $100 spent at a locally owned
business generated $45 in additional local spending or three times as much. Thats three
times as much money that would continue to circulate in Jamaica Plain - helping our local
business owners, non-profits, and residents thrive. Caffe Nero is a large international
company with over 650 locations worldwide. It seems very unlikely that having them
open a location in Jamaica Plain will benefit the local economy. Please help us keep
Jamaica Plain local!

We realize you have already signed a lease with Caffe Nero Corporation, but we are
asking you to reconsider in these early stages of development. We are happy to work
with you on finding a more suitable tenant for your properties. Thank you for your
consideration.

Warmly,

Beth Szabo - 7 On Centre
Anna Koon - a2n2.net
Bill Perkins - Agricultural Hall
Lindsay Metivier - Aviary Gallery
Carol Downs, Kathie Mainzer & Megan Mainzer - Bella
Luna Restaurant & Milky Way Lounge
Kim MItchell - Boing! Toy Shop
Deb Beatty Mel - Boston Building Resources
Deborah Frieze - Boston Impact Initiative
Michel Soltani - Brendan Behan Pub
Christine Burnham - Burnham Studio
Carolina Tejedor Meyers - Caramelo Clothing Co
Allison Meierding - Catbird Communication Design
Collective
David Warner - City Feed and Supply
Kate Peppard - Egleston Farmers Market
Luis Edgardo Cotto - Egleston Square Main Street
Joy Silverstien - Fresh Hair
Devorah Steinberg - Genesis Integrative Therapy
Myrna Greenfield - Good Egg Marketing
Gretjen Helene - Gretjen Helene Photography
Liz Vittori Koch - Hatched
Emma Blaxter and Pat Gray - Hyde Square Task Force
Rebecca Allen - Infrared5
Alison Moronta - Small Business Program, Jamaica
Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation
(JPNDC)
Bekka Schellenberg - Jamaica Plain Suzuki Violin
Studio
Daniel Max - JP Centre Yoga


Paul Bryant - JP Comics & Games
Genevieve Day - JP Knit & Stitch
Rose Sargent - Kitchenwitch
Kyle Myrick - Kyle Myrick Massage
Shannon Nelson Pope - Mama and Me
Mary Lewis-Pierce, JD
Norah Dooley - Massmouth The living art
of storytelling in Massachusetts
John Douglass - Mechanical Solutions
Patti Hudson - Monumental Cupcakes at JP
Art Market
Rob Morrison - Morrisons Auto-Rite
Jeremy Ogusky - Ogusky Ceramics
Pam Kristan - Pamela Kristan Consulting
Joseph A. Nelson II - Pure Dental JP
Rick Bornstein, CPA - The Practical
Accountant
Carlos O. Moran - SoulfulBody Fitness
Su Cousineau - Taproot Healing ~ Shiatsu,
Herbs & Self Care Consults
William Brokhof - The Boston Home Team
Julie Boyer - The Organizing Project
Richard Gargiulo - Treeworks Earth Design
David Doyle - Tres Gatos
Brian Crete - UFORGE Gallery
Korinn Koslofsky - Ula caf
George Kordan - Will Mow Lawn