Wednesday meeting about Subway on Broadway

[dougo.livejournal.com]

According to a flyer I got:

"There will be a neighborhood meeting regarding the proposed Subway sandwich shop at 860 Broadway, Somerville MA, sponsored by Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz. The owner shall be present to speak with neighbors and answer any questions.

WHEN: Wednesday, December 15, 2010
TIME: 5:00 P.M.
PLACE: 860 Broadway, Somerville, MA

For more information about the meeting please call Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz, (617) 718-0792, rebekah@rcn.com."

There's also this from Rebekah Gewirtz's newsletter:

"I testified against the shop coming at the Planning Board meeting on December 2nd because I am concerned that the block is going to become monopolized by chain stores. Locally owned, independent businesses add character, charm, and importantly, more local jobs than chains, which is why I have been such a strong proponent of them - and of organizations that support them like Somerville Local First. I haven't heard from many people about this planned Subway and I'm curious to get your feedback."

(This is the former location of the Spün frozen yogurt shop, near Powderhouse Circle.)

Comments

[ron_newman]

See here for earlier discussion. I don't know what happened at the Planning Board (other than Rebekah's statement); do you?

[dougo.livejournal.com]

No clue.

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

Huh. I can see adding character, but considering what was replaced was never consistently open, and that the only other chain in that block is Dunkin Donuts, this seems a little radical. What are Tu y Yo and the junk shop right there, chopped liver?

[teko.livejournal.com]

Agreed with prunesnprisms. Except for the Dunkin's (which may not be a DD's much longer anyway), Subway would be the only chain store on that block. And as all Subway franchises are locally owned anyway, I think Ms Gewirtz is being a bit reactionary.

[derekp.livejournal.com]

Oh no - a SUBWAY! The horror! Can't we go back to having a soft serve ice cream place that was never open or keep it abandoned? Please? It has so much charm that way!

They built a Subway first, and I didn't speak up because I liked sandwiches...

[gruene.livejournal.com]

I'm of the opinion that some business is better than no business and while I'd prefer pressed paninis handmade by a grandmother with a cute Italian accent, any sandwich shop, even a chain, is better than an abandoned storefront.

[daviscubed.livejournal.com]

I can't make the meeting, but will someone point out that this could impact the catering business nearby? I don't think the Garden Room is doing well as is, and might not benefit from any added competition.

[amy-s1.livejournal.com]

Remember when the Starbuck moving into Davis was a big deal? Now the place is packed and The Someday Cafe is gone.

[dougo.livejournal.com]

I assume you're joking, but there is actually an active catering business in two units on that block also, Swartz Catering (http://www.swartzcatering.com/).

(Also, the Garden Room was a ballroom, I think; Cabot Farms is the empty catering business. I live on the third floor of that building.)

[gruene.livejournal.com]

Thank you Toscanini's for destroying our charming local cafe through your inability to pay rent!

[derekp.livejournal.com]

... or taxes.
http://www.inc.com/magazine/20080401/local-hero-or-tax-cheat.html

[arrowintwolakes.livejournal.com]

I'm trying to follow that second line to a reasonable conclusion, but it seems to end up with "Then they built a Death Star" and there's nothing reasonable about that.

[ron_newman]

Oh no not an AT&T store!

[sparkgrrl658.livejournal.com]

...then i guess people like it then.

why pick and choose chains to allow?

[petula73.livejournal.com]

I don't understand why some chains seem like they go right in without a fight, while others meet major resistance.

Buffalo Exchange is a giant chain as well as CVS.

I agree with the earlier poster, Subways are generally independently owned which is more than I can say about some of these other chains.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

That had nothing to do with the Starbucks.

Mr. Crepe (which replaced Someday) is packed, as is Diesel. The net/net "independent coffee shop" situation is status quo as pre-Starbucks.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

No, clearly they are doing it wrong. Instead of buying a franchise, they should be doing whatever Rebekah Gewirtz wants them to do!

[pjmorgan.livejournal.com]

If she wants more local mom and pop business, she should work to make the permitting and other red tape processes simpler. People aren't going to risk their life savings if they can be held hostage by the city.

Re: why pick and choose chains to allow?

[ron_newman]

Buffalo Exchange is a moderate-sized chain, but the Davis Square store was their first in New England, which made it unique and distinctive (until they opened a second one in Allston).

Independent pharmacies seems like a lost cause -- Somerville hasn't had one in years.

Subway is already all over Cambridge and Somerville and seems to epitomize 'boring'. That doesn't mean it shouldn't be permitted, but it may explain the different reaction.

Seriously ...

[sabio75.livejournal.com]

... the battle against franchises and big business is a lost cause ... not many start-ups can afford the rents while figuring out a business model and not many landlords are willing to take less than market rate ... its simple supply and demand ... Davis Square is gentrifying, and will continue to do so ... change is inevitable ... ... ...