Lifestyle

By Ginger DeShaney A visit to Tenerife in 2019 sparked a dream that Nicole Jankowski and Anxhelo Taho have now brought to life in South Boston.  “We had the best time and we were only there for three days, but it was so much fun,” Nicole said. On the last day, they found a juice cafe right on the water. “It was just beautiful,” Anxhelo added. “The atmosphere was great.” Nicole, who was 19 years old at the time, knew right then: “We need to take this home because I don't know of any place like that.”  Bamboo Beach Juice Bar opened Thursday, Jan. 26, at 687 E. Second St. in South Boston. The shop features juices, smoothies, acai bowls, wellness shots, and three types [...]

By Ginger DeShaney Becca McGovern makes little things that inspire big feelings. Maker / Scholar, her South Boston small business, is guided by this mission. And so is Becca. “My family has a special tradition of making even the everyday ordinary things a holiday, and I've tried to bring that mentality into my small business,” said Becca McGovern, the artist behind Maker / Scholar. By day, Becca is a senior product marketing manager for Upside, a tech company. By night and weekends, Becca creates greeting cards, custom art, and accessories for her small business. “I was taught very early just to make things special … a random day could be a holiday or celebration,” Becca said. Her grandma lived with Becca’s family in Weymouth for [...]

By Ginger DeShaney A photo of vintage beer cans started Devon McGinty on a creative journey that now provides her with a therapeutic outlet. “These are really cool looking,” Devon said about the beer cans in the photo she saw on SOWA’s Instagram page in 2020. She has always liked vintage and retro things. So she went and bought the cans, not knowing what she would do with them.  “I was brainstorming and I just came up with the idea of making candles out of that,” she said. “I like retro vintage mixed with modern and I just think it's a really cool way to keep things modern but also pay tribute to older things.” The only thing was, she’d never made a candle. So [...]

By Ginger DeShaney Fresh Boston, at 232 Old Colony Ave., brings something unique to the neighborhood.  It’s a deli, a liquor store, a bar, a dinner spot, a brunch stop, a caterer, and more. “We want people to come in here and have a different experience. We want to change the way people eat and drink,” said owner Charlie Merritt. “This unique concept has everything you need with a vibe.”  When Charlie had the opportunity to expand on his Fresh Nantucket shop, he wanted to go where people knew the brand. “It’s a good time for us to be in this area,” said Charlie, who lives in South Boston. “It’s something Southie needed. We just want to be part of the neighborhood.” The shop has [...]

By Ginger DeShaney Michaela’s Market has popped up at 369 W. Broadway, the former location of Sweet Tooth Bakery.  South Boston’s Michaela Colvin is selling her crocheted items and holding classes in the Event Gallery Room through the month of December. The shop is open weekdays from 4:30-7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Michaela has her own Etsy shop (https://www.etsy.com/shop/MarketMichaelasCo) and attends craft fairs but had been thinking of getting a physical space or looking for a place to pop up.   At a recent South Boston Chamber of Commerce event, Michaela talked to Donna Brown, executive director at South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation, about possible spaces for a pop-up. South Boston NDC owns the building on West Broadway and [...]