A chain of neighborhood thrift stores in Boston and Cambridge that has been operating since the mid-1990s to fund HIV prevention and wellness programs will be closing its doors in June. Fenway Health, the organization behind the Boomerangs stores in Jamaica Plain, the South End, and Central Square in Cambridge, announced the decision to shut down due to financial losses. Despite initially raising a few hundred thousand dollars annually, the stores now reportedly lose over $500,000 per year.
Chris Viveiros, Fenway Health’s director of communications, expressed the organization’s need to prioritize healthcare services over retail operations. He acknowledged the positive impact that Boomerangs has had on the community in Massachusetts but emphasized the importance of redirecting resources to support patients and clients instead. Fenway Health has committed to assisting the approximately 50 employees currently working at the stores during the transition period.
Social media reactions from customers reflected a mix of sadness and frustration, with some criticizing Fenway Health for the closure. The thrift stores were originally established by AIDS Action before merging with Fenway Health in 2013. Viveiros acknowledged the disappointment felt by the community and shared his personal connection to Boomerangs as a former shopper in Jamaica Plain.
Despite the closure of the beloved thrift stores, Fenway Health remains dedicated to its mission of providing quality healthcare services to those in need. The decision to discontinue the Boomerangs stores reflects the challenges faced by brick-and-mortar retail establishments in today’s competitive market. Through this transition, Fenway Health aims to continue serving the community and delivering essential care to its patients and clients.