Coolidge Corner

Coolidge Corner, Brookline, Massachusetts
Neighborhood of Brookline, Massachusetts
Intersection of Harvard and Beacon Streets, Coolidge Corner, Brookline, MA

Coordinates: 42°20′31″N 71°07′17″W / 42.342075°N 71.121261°W / 42.342075; -71.121261

Coolidge Corner is a neighborhood of Brookline, Massachusetts, centered on the intersection of Beacon Street and Harvard Street. The neighborhood takes its name from the Coolidge brothers' general store that opened in 1857 at that intersection at the site of today's S.S. Pierce building, which was for many years the only commercial business in north Brookline.

Coolidge Corner developed as a transit-oriented streetcar suburb, and retains a pedestrian-friendly, walking around feel. Many popular coffee shops, pharmacies, small independent boutiques, an independent bookstore, and ethnic restaurants are located there, as well as a few retail chain stores. In recent years, an influx of national bank chains has taken over several prime storefronts, detracting from the traditional neighborhood retail mix. There is a growing community backlash against this trend.

The neighborhood has a significant Jewish population, and there are large synagogues located on both Beacon and Harvard streets. The northern portion of Harvard Street, near the border with the Boston neighborhood of Allston, is characterized by a cluster of Jewish-oriented shops, including a bookstore, giftshop, kosher butcher, and various other stores and eateries.

Coolidge Corner is served by the Coolidge Corner station of the MBTA's Green Line "C" Branch that runs in a reserved central median along Beacon Street.