Urban Planning gone wrong

[m00n.livejournal.com]

While we are on the topic of community development, does anyone have an explanation for there now being a third convenience store in Teele Square within view of the other two?



Beyond the fact that I don't feel like these stores contribute much (if anything) to the community, I'm kind of wondering how it is that this neighborhood can even support three of them (four if you count the Indian market down the street that sells pretty much all the same stuff).

I don't mean to be such a community troll about these things, but I live in that neighborhood and it is starting to get a little depressing...

Comments

[obie119.livejournal.com]

On the corner where the new convenience store is - it was a cell phone store (whoopie!) and a real estate office before that.
I always thought Teele Square needs an ice cream place - and not a half-hearted and somewhat dirty attempt like the everchanging spot current d.b.a. Holland Street Cafe.

Ice cream is a little harder in Teele than in Davis because there's fewer outdoor spots for eating it, but I still feel there's always a need for ice cream :)

[obie119.livejournal.com]

You can more or less use Teele Square Cafe as a coffeeshop, I think..

[ron_newman]

Ice cream places? JP Licks, the Somerville Theatre's walk-up window, and what's the third?

Funny thing is, Teele Square was part of the original ice cream wars, back in the 1970s. Steve's Ice Cream was on Elm Street (where Green Tomato II is now) and Joey's Ice Cream was in Teele Sq (not sure exactly where). Then Joey bought out Steve, keeping Steve's name, while Steve went on to open Herrell's.

[hahathor.livejournal.com]

OTOH, if the convenience stores sell lottery tickets....

[ron_newman]

But unless each one sells different kinds of lottery tickets, that doesn't really show a market need for three of them.

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

i'm sure they do, but that doesn't usually lead to lines out the door ;)

but then again, having the option to go elsewhere rather than be stuck behind that person -
i'll have three of those one dollar ones, and...a couple of those green ones over there...five quick picks...and...what's that one with the alligator on it? no no, the one to the right, no, the other one, yeah, let me have one of those and, um...

*shoots self in face*

[ron_newman]

Yeah, really annoying when all I want to do is buy a Coke or a wrapped-up sandwich. At least I don't have to buy my monthly T passes at Store 18 anymore...

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

No, coffee shops with Wi-Fi and comfy couches..

[m00n.livejournal.com]

Haha, talk about the olden days!

[m00n.livejournal.com]

Or how about a place that has coffee, beer, couches, and a fireplace all in the same establishment? Oooooo...

[teele-sq.livejournal.com]

Teele Square market has a great selection of ben and jerry's icecream. And the proprietor is quite friendly. It's the furthest of the three from my house, but definitely my favorite.

Neighborhood market seems to survive solely by selling lottery tickets to degenerates. Their ice cream is all freezer burned.

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

yup, i was at a gas station the other night just waiting to fork over the $10 for gas, and the woman in front of me was literally dancing around after having won a few bucks, and then taking FOR. EVER. to use the money to buy...more lottery tickets.

[m00n.livejournal.com]

Ugh. Maybe subconsciously the reason I want there to be fewer convenience stores in my neighborhood is so that I can pretend that people like that don't really exist.

[ron_newman]

which would be Diesel, Starbucks, and ... True Grounds?

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

I just saw a sign in the window of teele sq. cafe that said they had "Christine's Ice Cream" now :)

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

Does Diesel do beer?

[ron_newman]

sure it wasn't ChristinA's , of Inman Square?

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

Seeing as I was walking by in the morning, possibly? The ICE CREAM part was what I noticed..not particularly the brand.

[ron_newman]

No beer at Diesel.

[ron_newman]

if it is Christina's, their stuff is wonderful.

[m00n.livejournal.com]

Seconded. Also eclectic, which is key.

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

My bad, the treading formatted oddly on my page, and since no one does subjects I thought you were responding to m00n's request for alcohol, caffeine and fire. :)

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

I'll check on my way back by tonight :)

[m00n.livejournal.com]

And lets not forget couches!

To my knowledge these things are not available at any one establishment anywhere in the city.

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

Yet :) sounds like an opportunity to me!