Boomerangs

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Seddy Greenburg

Joined 3 years ago

Nice finds, cute neighborhood, and inexpensive items!. Boomerang's is your "word-of-mouth" kind of place. There are several other shops like it in Jamaica Plain, particularly along the length of Centre St. This is not a shopping mall, so of course they do not ridiculously advertise themselves or have a giant parking lot.

It is basically a hip, trend-setting Goodwill (I don't even want to make that comparison, ugh!) that tends to feature unique and stylish items for really low prices! I know they are very selective about what they put out to sell because they care about their customers. For instance, they probably get a few hundred records donated every week. Does that mean they put every single record out to be sold? No. They pick ones people will actually buy and listen to. Do they put ones that are scratched to hell out to be sold? No. They listen to what their customers want and the provide. The workers/clerks are generally your tatooed, piercy, friendly, alternative bunch.

I have found a lot of great men's clothes (especially pants and collared shirts), literature (dirt cheap books), some small furniture items (tables and chairs, bookcases) and household items (bowls, glasses, silverware, candle holders).

The women's clothing section is about 3 times as much as the men's. Because of this, I feel, that not all of the items are as good a quality as the men's can be.

This is a great place to go to for backpacks, coats, and jackets. I have seen many special, unique items there, from 3 piece suits to messenger bags (new), from army jackets to leather trench coats.

Lastly, I really like the neighborhood there. JP Licks is right across the road for great coffee and the like and the area is packed with amazing restaurants that are usually, ironically, not packed!

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cristymaldonado

Joined 3 years ago

The Karma of Boomerangs. I'm a strong believer that whatever you give to goodwill will eventually come back to you, and Centre Street's Boomerangs provides an excellent opportunity reap positive, goodwill karma. I was pleasantly surprised at the diversity of items ranging from home furnishings and electronics to clothing and generic chotchkies.

On the day of my visit, I was hoping my karma would return in the form of sundresses and handbags. Although I ended up leaving empty handed, I'm fairly certain that a future trip will yield an armful of goodies.

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AnneliseN

Joined 3 years ago

Full of surprises. Fueled by a desire to create a teacup garden, I swung by Boomerangs on my way to the Arboretum last weekend.

The store is extremely well-organized. The clothing and book selection is large (including $2 ties), but the furniture selection is a bit limited. I did, however, spy an amazing brass bed frame (including ALL hardware) for $15, a to-die-for dining chair for $10, and a wooden china hutch for $60, so there are a few good finds there. I didn't succeed in my search for vintage china, but there were several dresses that caught my eye.

I know a lot of people think JP is a bit out of the way, but going to Boomerangs is a 2 for 1 deal because the JP Goodwill is literally about a block or two away. It's worth stopping by if you're in the area!

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MandizzleSue

Joined 5 years ago

Good stuff, but not quite worth the hassle if you're not in the area. I had heard of this place through friends and an internet search, and since I've yet to find a thrift store with convenient prices that match the selection in Boston, I decided to bring some clothing donations to Boomerang's and maybe look around a bit, myself.

After getting lost on the way to the store (try to take a bus to the location or a bus from the T stop, as it's a very, VERY long walk from the nearest T station), I finally made it to Boomerang's. The set up of the exterior of the store and the organization within were excellent. It looks small on the outside, but it's actually a pretty sizeable thrift store - clothes, accessories, and things such as CD's, VHS tapes, and other odd knick-knacks are at the front, with furniture and an awesome book selection at the back.

Though pretty organized, if you take a long time to look around, there are some special oddities mixed among everything (there are purses and bags throughout the store, so if that's your "white whale" thrift item of choice, be thorough about your hunt. I found an old soft-leather briefcase lined with silk, and though only $8, I really didn't need it.) In the end, I got a Calvin Klein jacket for $4, a genuine Peace Corps messenger bag for $2, and a really cool T-shirt left behind at the store by a Trinity College student circa 2003 for $2.

I am happy with my purchases, and the staff is friendly, but they seemed a little distracted that night. To be fair, it was Thursday, which is the night thay they have extended hours, but when I dropped off my donations, they were pretty non-chalant about it. Also, getting lost and having to take so much time out of my day to do this was not so pleasant, but all in all, this is a great find if you're in the immediate area of Jamaica Plain.

PS - did I mention that the proceeds from the purchases go to the AIDS Action committee? Awesome :)

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srw9

Joined 6 years ago

Best deals in the city. A large percentage of my clothes and shoes come from Boomerangs -- all Gap, Ann Taylor, the Limited, Express, etc. They have a great selection. Yes, you have to wade through a lot of stuff to find gems -- it is a thrift store, after all. But if you are patient and look, I think most people can find something they like. My problem is being able to carry everything I buy!

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Editorial Review. Colorful consignment shop sells new and vintage clothing, furniture and other items.