There are many coffee shops and bakeries to choose from in Jamaica Plain. Others have seating and more full-meal choices for the most part. But Blue Frog is a simple coffee joint. Come in for a quick coffee and a delicious pastry: their pastries are historically delicious, but have recently been getting mixed reviews-a new baker, perhaps? If you are in the Green Street area, Blue Frog is a great coffee option. Try a scone or a chocolate croissant. - Anais Wheeler

The video store isn't dead. If you don't believe it, just go to Hyde Square where Video Underground lives. It feels like a video store should, in the spirit of Clerks. The clerks wear skinny jeans and nerd glasses, and there are actual VHS tapes on the shelves. DVDs too, of course. If you're looking for an eighties family flick, you might be better off with your Netflix, but if you're looking for a 60s classic (Gidget Goes to Rome, anyone?), Video Underground is the place to go. In the spirit of touting their obscure titles: they have Vera Chytilova's Daisies if you like anti-propagandist Czech feminist films, or the 1985 television version of Alice in Wonderland. What more do you need to know? - Anais Wheeler

Hatched is a boutique kids' clothing store, specializing in eco-friendly, natural, organic fibers. Rather than being too hempy or hippie-looking, the clothes are in bright colors and graphic designs, and the fabrics are fine, not nubby or coarse-woven. The owners are very faithful to their mission, so buy with faith-no need to worry about lead poisoning or nasty dye practices. Go into Hatched, and be amazed by the plethora of earth-friendly diaper products, as well as practical kiddie stuff, like cloth wipes, mattresses, sheets and blankets. Check out the kimono-inspired onesie for your next baby shower. - Anais Wheeler

City Feed and Supply is a café/convenience store/grocery store having an identity crisis. Have some coffee, a sandwich or bagel, and shop for extraordinarily expensive and sparse groceries. They do a lot of things less-than-perfectly. Which is good, as long as you know what you're getting into. Don't go here for groceries unless you live across the street and need one particular ingredient. They have some hard-to-find items, like a certain peanut sauce that Harvest Co-op down the street doesn't have. Coffee is good, though, and lots of veggie options for sandwiches are available. - Anais Wheeler

When you shop at a locally-owned grocery like Harvest, your money returns to the community. It is probably a good idea to chant this as a mantra as you walk through the produce section at Harvest, which is tiny and inadequate. Some things are massively overpriced at Harvest, including produce and some prepared foods. However, Harvest has its place. It has a small deli/prepared food area with freshly-made breads; its bulk foods are extensive and amazingly cheap; if you live in the area, you can get a farm share through Harvest, which will provide you with weekly fresh veggies from a local farm for the whole season, and cost next to nothing. Harvest is a co-op, so you can join for a paltry fee and enjoy significant discounts. - Anais Wheeler

George's Shoes is tough to figure: Why are designer labels so cheap here? Yes, the fashions are often a year old or the wrong season. No, there is no guarantee that they will have your size if you find your dream shoe, but Steve Madden pumps and Michael Kors loafers are tough to beat. Take a look, and then, if you don't find anything, look again the next week and the next.

In a neighborhood where businesses clamor for space, Boing! Toys is big! The fairly modest storefront just keeps going back, and every foot is covered with innovative toys. Boing! is not for the video game set, instead there are board games for all ages, nifty gadgety toys and big sets, like the sets of tunnels for toddlers, which bring living room fort-building to a whole new level or the creativity center that allows for endless art creation. Boing! is fun for big kids too, so don't feel like a small child is a necessary accoutrement for entrance into this toy store.

Gadgets is, for some reason, easy to miss. Its narrow storefront belies the sheer number of gadgets that fit in the tiny space on JP's Centre Street. Orange and lime green spatulas hang and bright red and royal blue whisks stick out of yellow vases. Turn sideways and sidle down the tight aisles, and you'll find that Gadgets actually has more than just cute novelty kitchenware and clever or cute items. They carry a variety of high quality cookware, including some nice ceramics. A good option for housewarming and wedding gifts, or showing your own kitchen some love.

Yesteryear catches the eye with their array of furniture that tumbles out of the tiny shop and onto the sidewalk on South Street. Like any antique shop worth a peek, Yesteryear has an eclectic selection. Some of the items might be surprising, while others are refreshingly just what you would expect. Some pieces are refinished while others are untouched and ready for a meticulous refinishing project. Yesteryear offers a great alternative to the ubiquitous Ikea dresser or hours of searching on Craigslist, and it's hands-down more fun to browse.

On Centre's colorful sign makes it stand out on this uneven section of Centre Street. There are grimy real estate agencies and groovy boutiques, but On Centre manages to not appear crowded while also making their plethora of creative gifts clear with a first glance through the front windows. Like most of the shops in this corner of the world, the staff is friendly and well-informed. Find goodies from trendy reusable grocery bags to locally made jewelry to nifty gadgets.