Pure Green Brings Heart, Health and Vision to Nubian Square
- Carissa Daniels
- Jun 30
- 3 min read
Healthy snacks and nutritious smoothies are on the menu at Pure Green, but the newest business in Nubian Square is also serving something you can’t put a price tag on: a powerful vision of community ownership in a rapidly evolving neighborhood.
Pure Green opened its doors at 1135 Harrison Ave on May 10, becoming Nubian Square’s first dedicated juice and smoothie shop. But owner Carla Gomes’ dream began decades ago while she was growing up in Roxbury, blocks away from where her business now stands.
As a mother, Roxbury resident, a Black woman and a longtime fitness instructor with a passion for wellness, Carla recognized a need for healthier food options in her own backyard — and saw an opportunity to fill it.
“Every time people would come to the gym, they’d ask where they could get something healthy nearby,” Carla said. “We’d send them to Dorchester or South Boston. But then it was like, wait, why not here?”
Bringing that idea to life meant maneuvering a maze of licensing, permitting and inspection requirements that added months to the process.
“The system is not intuitive,” Carla said.
A Partner in Progress
It’s a complicated process Roxbury Main Streets Executive Director Robert M. George said his organization is uniquely positioned to help small business owners navigate — at a critical time of growth in Nubian Square.
“As Nubian Square undergoes rapid change — condo towers going up, retail space expanding — our job is to make sure longtime residents and local entrepreneurs are part of that growth,” Robert said. “We know the city process, we know who to talk to and we can help businesses open their doors faster.”
Fueled by significant public and private investment, the square is seeing a surge in new storefronts and commercial activity. Roxbury Main Streets, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting small business growth in the district, advocates for development that is equitable, community-led, and culturally rooted. As the historic heart of Black life in Boston, Robert emphasized the importance of ensuring that Roxbury residents aren’t pushed to the sidelines during this economic shift.
Carla and Pure Green, he said, represent exactly the kind of community-driven success Roxbury Main Streets wants to see thrive alongside major developments.
Carla didn’t link up with Roxbury Main Streets until the end of her process — when she was in need of a giant ceremonial pair of scissors for her ribbon cutting. Robert, of course, made sure she had them.
Carla said having a partner like Roxbury Main Streets could help cut red tape — which could be vital to other aspiring entrepreneurs in the neighborhood.
Building a Healthier, More Connected Nubian Square
Carla sees Pure Green as part of a broader movement: a patchwork of locally owned, community-minded businesses that preserve the culture and character of Nubian Square while pushing its potential forward. She encourages others to take the leap if they see a need in the neighborhood — just as she did.
“The smoothie itself, for us, represents care and compassion for the community,” Carla said.
Serving smoothies, juices, acai bowls and more, Pure Green not only brings healthy food options to Nubian Square, but it creates a space where residents can feel seen, supported, educated, and empowered to make healthier choices.
Already Pure Green has become something of a hub within the hub of Nubian Square — one of Boston’s busiest neighborhoods. She’s already been approached to host events and is toying with the idea of open-mics and wellness pop-ups.
“We want to do as much for our community as we can,” Carla said.
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