Update on Sacco's Bowl Haven and The Connections Center

[synergyseeker.livejournal.com]

Yes, its true....

Sacco's is being sold to someone else who is going to keep it a bowling alley (as far as we know).  We are happy that it worked out for the community to keep the bowling!

The main reasons for us letting go of Sacco's were that as a smaller project of just the bowling alley without the ability to do any development, our concept just wouldnt work financially. Also, we got excited about what the larger concept could offer ..... and myself, my team and my investors have decided that its best to look for another location where we can have the square footage we need to do our concept to its fullest potential. We are hoping to find a suitable location in Davis Square. 

I will keep you posted!

Trish

Comments

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I think Jimmy Tingle's might still be up for grabs. Would a space like that work?

[synergyseeker.livejournal.com]

Its a good thought, but its too small.

[anomie666.livejournal.com]

I'm glad it is going to remain a bowling alley. Maybe one of these days we should have a non-bar meet-up there? I've never gone candlepin bowling and that would be a good excuse to make a fool out of myself trying. :)

[ron_newman]

I second that idea. Let's do it soon. Meanwhile -- who bought it?

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

We'll have to go drinking first. Bowling and sobriety don't mix. :-)

[ron_newman]

Maybe whoever buys it will look into getting a liquor license? The Saccos never wanted one.

[anomie666.livejournal.com]

Friends don't let friends bowl sober.

[mistresshellena.livejournal.com]

My all time favorite Davis Square night out is Redbones & Bowling.
You can hang out at underbones, drink, eat whatever you want from the menu if you're hungry, bowl, then go back for more afterwards!

I'd totally be there if I were in town.

*sigh*

[kidsmokes.livejournal.com]

i would go that! i never get to go cause everything is 21+

[lizzielizzie.livejournal.com]

Yes! I would love this, especially since I do not drink and I love to bowl. :-)

[ron_newman]

I suggest that you look into the parking lot behind One Davis Square, or perhaps the now-redundant Rite Aid pharmacy and its adjoining parking lot.

[aquaflame16.livejournal.com]

no, no, no . . . we have to mount a campaign to get Trader Joe's to pounce on the Rite Aid as soon as it shows signs of fading. TJ's must come to us. They don't know it yet, but it will have to happen eventually.

[kidsmokes.livejournal.com]

this would be awesome. it needs to happen. i live right behind it on winslow. god, life would be so great... I can see it now!

[righteousness-1.livejournal.com]

As long as the Mayor doesn't get his way and stick a Hotel there first.

[ron_newman]

Maybe we can get both -- a hotel with Trader Joe's in a first-floor storefront?

[mattdm.livejournal.com]

I say Trader Joe's can have as many floors as they want.

[ron_newman]

Sure, but I've never seen a multi-floor grocery store. You'd need a fancy escalator for shopping carts.

[ckd]

It's been done. The Union Square (NYC) Whole Foods, for example.

[synergyseeker.livejournal.com]

I know that Trader Joes has been looking at locations in davis but its my understanding that its the lack of parking has been the issue....not the square footage.

[ron_newman]

Someone needs to persuade them that they do not need parking. They get along just fine on Boylston Street without any.

[diatomacearth.livejournal.com]

I would cheerfully walk to Trader Joe's if one were within walking distance. I've always liked Trader Joe's, and would have shopped there more over the years if they weren't always so durn far away from me.

[gildersleeve.livejournal.com]

I have expressed this before on this subject, but as much as I too like Trader Joe's, adding one to Davis would certainly have a negative impact on the locally owned businesses like McKinnon's, Farmer's Bounty, and Sessa's.

Now I personally say let the market decide, but since many people seem to get alarmed when local independent shops are gradually replaced by national chains I always like to point out that this would be an example of such a thing. Some feel that these businesses can coexist, but many of them just barely hang on and couldn't take a reduction in business that a TJ's would bring.

Just a thought...

[on-reserve.livejournal.com]

Y'know, I don't think that a TJ would do that. If anything, it would encourage me to shop at those places more. Since netiher McKinnon's nor the other stores can provide a full grocery shop, I usually go where I can get everything in one place. I'd be ever so pleased to grab all my meat at McKinnon's and then go over to TJ for the rest of my shop. TJ has very limited meat and produce -- the bulk of what they sell is prepared shelf/frozen foods.

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

While I'd love to see more pedestrian-oriented businesses, I'm not sure a store like Trader Joe's would work in Davis without any parking. Back Bay is a totally different place, with about a square mile of multistory apartment buildings that Davis just doesn't have.

[ron_newman]

McKinnon's and Farmer's Bounty get by without parking. I think Trader Joe's would add to, not compete with, our current food choices.

[gildersleeve.livejournal.com]

McKinnon's does have a metered lot immediately behind it, at least. However, McKinnon's and Farmer's Bounty are small businesses that don't rely on or draw a supermarket-level high volume of customers like a Trader Joe's.

With all respect, a Trader Joe's by its very nature (selling meats, fruits, vegetables) would be in competition with current businesses in the square. I am not saying that competition is bad or unwelcome, but there is no denying that two places selling the same items are in competition.

Parking

[bostonartist.livejournal.com]

It could be that the City would require parking for a TJ store. The store would definitely bring more cars in to the area.

[on-reserve.livejournal.com]

THANK MAUDE! The world needs more bowling and less artificial "connecting."

[georgy.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I have yet to understand the concept for this business. Connecting people to... people and... spaces and... ideas. Yeah!

[pearlythebunny.livejournal.com]

The way I understand it, most of the "concept" is a hotel, but there will be meeting/office/connecting space on the first floor.

[synergyseeker.livejournal.com]

I understand that its been confusing for a lot of people. Because its a start up, we've been a bit hesitant to broadcast our concept in more detail without having our location secured...

What we have shared has gotten really confused...especially since its an new idea and theres nothing out there like it (at least no place we have been able to find).

I've actually sat down with a bunch of different people from the community. When I've had the chance explain the concept in more detail - there has been a lot of excitement and support.

I hope in the soon future to have a website online and more details to share...

thanks for keeping an open mind...

[ron_newman]

Meanwhile, can you tell us who bought Sacco's, and if they have any plans to change it (for instance, adding food or drink)?

[jenskot.livejournal.com]

Aw, good luck with everything, but...
VIVA LA CANDLEPIN!!!!

[catskillz.livejournal.com]

Hooray, keeping the bowling! That place is beloved to my friends and me.

[makoshark.livejournal.com]

Wonderful. I'm glad Sacco's isn't going anywhere.

[ebecker.livejournal.com]

If this proves true I am absolutely thrilled.

[ebecker.livejournal.com]

So any update on Sacco's? Anyone, anyone?