In June, Fenway Health, the organization behind the Boomerangs neighborhood thrift stores in Boston and Cambridge, will shut down its retail operations. The decision was made due to financial losses, with the stores now losing over $500,000 per year despite initially raising a few hundred thousand dollars annually.
Fenway Health’s director of communications, Chris Viveiros, expressed the need to prioritize healthcare services over retail operations. Although Boomerangs has had a positive impact on the community in Massachusetts, Viveiros emphasized the importance of redirecting resources to support patients and clients. 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 its beloved thrift stores, Fenway Health remains committed to its mission of providing quality healthcare services to those in need. The decision to discontinue these retail operations reflects the challenges faced by brick-and-mortar retail establishments in today’s competitive market. Through this transition, Fenway Health aims to continue serving its community and delivering essential care to its patients and clients.
