Why this map exists
Private equity firms raise money from investors, buy companies with a lot of borrowed money, and aim to sell them at a profit within a few years. Over the last decade they have bought thousands of local businesses: vet clinics, dentists, plumbers, daycares, gyms and restaurants.
The name on the door usually stays the same, so most customers never find out. This map shows who owns the places you spend money, starting with Boston and everywhere within 15 miles of downtown.
How we check
Every listing links to the source that shows who owns it: a press release, a news story, the investor's own portfolio page, or the business's website. A second check confirms the location is open and the ownership is still current. Each listing shows when it was last checked.
Ownership changes often. If something is wrong or out of date, .