"The reason I opened the store 20 years ago is because Northeastern was good to us"

Photo Credit: https://news.northeastern.edu/...

John Nehme has owned Giovanni's Market at 624 Columbus Avenue for over 20 years. 

The small convenience store has an abundance of snacks and drinks, as well as tons of basic supplies (paper towels, cleaning spray, red solo cups) that students and residents in the surrounding area need. John is known for his kindness and a wide variety of tasty and helpful foods and goods, and his dearly departed cat, Tigger, who would greet students in the store. 

Giovanni's Market borders Roxbury and Northeastern's campus, giving Nehme an interesting vantage point on the University's relationship with the surrounding community. 

Nehme can literally see the ongoing construction and expansion at Northeastern from the windows of his business. 

In a recent interview, Nehme had some compelling thoughts about Northeastern's expansion and what it means for Giovanni's Market, his relationship with the University, and his perception of Northeastern's relationship to Roxbury and the surrounding community. 

*The following has been edited for clarity*

Q: How is Northeastern's growth and expansion affecting Giovanni's Market? 

Nehme: 
With Northeastern expanding, to me, it seems that I just get more customers. The expansion has had a positive impact on me and my business. The reason I opened the store 20 years ago is because Northeastern was good to us, there are a lot of students in the area and it was an ideal location to open a business in. The more going on, the more students, the better for me. I depend on students. 

Q: How has business been recently? It must be tough to own an independent small business during a pandemic, especially when students were not on campus.

Nehme:                                                                         

During the worst of the pandemic, hardly any students were here, and it was a struggle. I depend on students coming in all year round. But the surrounding neighborhood was really good to us, and all the essential Northeastern staff were here, helping me keep the place open. They all supported us, and I am grateful. Both the neighborhood and Northeastern staff helped me keep things afloat. 

Q: What is the relationship between Northeastern and the surrounding community like? Is there a positive relationship?

Nehme:                                                                         Now, there is a good relationship between Northeastern and the surrounding community. In the past 20 years, there has been a lot of resentment, feelings that the University did not care about the area surrounding it, and didn't see us as something to care about. But that has settled down and Northeastern now is more aware of how its actions affect the community. Now, the relationship is a lot better than before. Most of the neighborhood now appreciates Northeastern for students to their businesses, and for the NUPD for bringing safety. I feel much safer with the relationship I have with the NUPD, and my business is supported by the Northeastern students, so on a personal level, I can't complain. I think most other business owners agree. In terms of people who live in the area but don't own businesses, I'm not sure how they feel. But on the whole, the relationship is a lot better and is positive.

Q: Do you that there is a positive connection between your business and Northeastern? Do you feel like the University cares about Giovanni's Market?

Nehme:                                                                              I feel really connected to Northeastern, and I feel like they see me. A lot of professors and police officers all come here, they have my home number, my cell phone number, we have a really good relationship. News@Northeastern wrote an article this year about my cat that used to be in the shop with me. Everyone loved Tigger, and last year, he ran away, and the police and students helped me find him. The police even made me a poster celebrating Tigger’s return. Sadly, he eventually passed away, but Northeastern’s article about Giovanni’s and my cat is their most-read article this year. I think that says a lot about the connection I have between my business and Northeastern. We contribute to each other, and I feel supported.