George’s Shoes celebrates 100 years of business

George’s Shoes will celebrate 100 years in business during the Open Streets Boston festival planned for Jamaica Plain on Sunday, July 10, 2022. JP Centre/South Main Streets plans to present a birthday cake to the neighborhood gem in honor of their longevity. This family-owned store offers shoes, handbags, jewelry & a variety of gifts in their small Centre Street location in Jamaica Plain. The business was founded by George Abrams in 1922.

George Abrams came to the U.S. from Romania when he was just seven years old. He worked as a foreman in a shoe factory before opening his first store in 1922. He had additional stores in the South End, Inman Square, Warren St, Dudley St, and Jackson Square. At the time, there were still shoemakers in Jamaica Plain. George Abrams distinguished his store with a combination storefront factory that sold and made shoes until the Depression. His son, Ben Abrams, joined him in the store in 1957 and took over in 1962, adding a Somerville store to the line-up. Ben’s daughter, Susan Baroff, expanded the store to New Hampshire in 1992. Susan Baroff continues to run the store today. Though other locations have since closed, the Jamaica Plain store has endured the pandemic thanks to the loyalty of their long-time customers and their carefully curated selection of merchandise.  

The celebration will take place DURING the planned Open Streets event in Jamaica Plain on Sunday, July 10, 2022. George’s Shoes will be open from 10:00pm to 2:00pm. The celebration includes a cake cutting with our city councilors and special guests at 12:00pm, with cake for patrons. George’s Shoes plans on refreshments, raffles, and once-in-100-years specials on merchandise that day. Everyone is invited to join as we celebrate this historic institution in Jamaica Plain.

JP Centre/South Main Streets is a volunteer-driven, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that seeks to guide the growth of Jamaica Plain’s Centre and South Streets’ business district through the active collaboration of residents, business owners, and others committed to a community-led initiative. In partnership with Boston Main Streets, we provide a direct conduit to the City of Boston and can provide technical assistance to help new businesses succeed.

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