Every story begins with a spark. Ours began in 1997, when Jelena Babic and Brian Phillips opened the doors of a small shop in Arlington, MA. It was more than a business—it was their way of weaving together imagination, art, and community. Jelena, who once ran an art gallery and craft shop in her hometown of Belgrade, brought her instinct for beauty and whimsy. Brian, with his steady hand for numbers and a love of books, balanced the dream with the day-to-day. Together, they built a place where gifts weren’t just things to buy, but discoveries to be made.

In those early years, the shelves overflowed with the eclectic and the delightful: handmade treasures, bright ceramics, clever toys, and objects that made people smile. Soon after, books appeared—first as companions to children’s gifts, then expanding as those young readers grew. Page by page, shelf by shelf, Maxima became as much a bookstore as it was a gift shop, a place where stories stood side by side with curiosities.

The years carried new chapters. In 2019, a pop-up shop in Lexington sparked fresh excitement, and two years later, Maxima Book Center was born—a permanent home for readers, writers, and seekers of story.

And now, another chapter unfolds—Maxima Hive. The Hive is alive in the present moment, buzzing with possibility. It is a place where neighbors gather to create, learn, taste, and celebrate. One evening it might host a book discussion; the next, a lively puzzle night, a hands-on workshop, or a performance that fills the room with music and laughter. Children come for vacation camps, while adults arrive for tastings or team-building evenings. Each gathering adds a new line to the Hive’s unfolding story.

For nearly three decades, Maxima has been a story of family, community, and wonder. With Maxima Hive, that story is not complete but continually expanding—a living, evolving space where art, books, and connection meet in the here and now. Step inside, and you become part of the tale as it’s being written.

Maxima Gift & Book Center

212 Mass. Ave. Arlington, MA 02474

781-646-6835

Holiday Hours:

Mon-Sat: 10 am – 8 pm

Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm

Maxima Book Center

1717 Mass. Ave. Lexington, MA 02424

781-457-6185

Holiday Hours:

Mon-Sat: 10 am – 8 pm

Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm