Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Mitchell.
Jamaica Plain is a unique community with a strong commitment to diversity and equality, which is exactly why Kim Mitchell loves it so much. She loves the neighborhood’s kind and generous spirit, and everything that it stands for. Kim has lived in JP for nearly 20 years and still does today with her partner, Susan, and their daughter, Riley. They could not imagine raising Riley anywhere else.
Kim hasn’t always been in the toy business. With a degree in finance and an MBA, Kim worked for ten years at Deutsche Bank, a company that employs 70,000 people. But in such a large environment, Kim wasn’t able to feel the direct impact of her work and sensed it was time for a change. She knew that she wanted her next career move to be working within the wonderful JP community.
That’s why when Boing! was put up for sale, Kim jumped on the opportunity. Since Kim is a kid at heart and toys and games are second nature to her, she had no doubt Boing! was the perfect next chapter in her life. Even though she had never run a retail business, with her schooling and experience in finance, she was confident that she could take on the task.
Today, Kim is proud of the role Boing! plays in the community. She loves that she is able to provide a vibrant toy store for JP and feels fortunate with the strong community that supports her in her effort to do so. She can often feel the generosity of the community and loves the wonderful feedback she receives from her costumers. Kim is very proud that she can help JP maintain independently run stores and contribute to the community’s uniqueness.
Boing! has been everything Kim hoped and wished it would be, and she hopes the community feels the same. As always, she thanks the residents of Jamaica Plain for shopping local and helping her build community, one toy at a time.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For the most part, it has been a fairly smooth and very fun road! The biggest struggle for me is not buying too much stuff! I have a tendency to want to buy everything that looks fun. You can see the result on my very full shelves and very full basement.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Boing! JP’s Toy Shop – what should we know?
We are a toy store that strives to have a little bit of something for everyone. Some toys are highly educational and complex, while others are whimsical and fun. Sometimes things are serious, sometimes they are just plain ole silly.
I am most proud of the role we play in the community. Our tagline “building community, one toy at a time” is really engrained in everything we do here at the store. I appreciate the support I get from the community and I try to return the support through my charitable donations to local school s and non-profits. What comes around goes around. It’s a wonderful relationship I have with the broader community.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Generosity and deep understanding of the neighborhood.
Contact Info:
- Address: 667 Centre Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 - Website: www.boingtoys.com
- Phone: 617-522-7800
- Email: kim@boingtoys.com
- Facebook: boingjpstoyshop
- Twitter: boing_jp_toys
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
