40 South Street

Back to the future with a revamped spot for vintage

By DAVID DAY

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For those who dig and dig for the best in vintage, there was not a more hidden gem than Gumshoe. For the longest time, Otto Johnson would run his shop, near Jamaica Pond, just on weekends, cash only. It was the kind of spot people would prioritize their schedule to visit. This month, Gumshoe expands to become 40 South Street, a shop that caters not only to men, but now to women, thanks to former Honeyspot maven and Punk Rock Aerobics co-founder Hilken Mancini. "I used to shop at the Birth of Cool, his shop in Kenmore Square," she says. "I met him there and we've been friends ever since." Mancini was in all sorts of indie-rock bands throughout the '90s and beyond, which is where she learned how to truly thrift. "From being on tour," she says. "Our bands would always go to these college towns and out of the way places like the Florida panhandle." When plied for just one of her many sources, Mancini keeps them close to the vest. "We like thrifting in the tri-state area," she says. Mancini has also modernized the store's facilities, installing a credit card machine and an actual countertop instead of Johnson's famous stool by the door. The store moved the jeans to the newly renovated back room and established their finely tailored selection of women's clothes and accessories on one side. Johnson even has an email address to go along with his new store. "He's into being all postmodern and stuff," she says with a laugh. "We're pushing into the future."

[40 South St., Jamaica Plain. 617.522.5066. fortysouthst.com]