Roche Bros. grocery proposed for 240 Elm Street; Meeting September 10

[ron_newman]

According to a Facebook post from Alderman-at-Large Jack Connolly, Roche Bros. proposes to open a grocery store in the former Social Security Building, 240 Elm Street. They will hold an on-site meeting to discuss this on Wednesday, September 10 at 6 pm.

Roche Bros. is a local family-owned supermarket chain whose current locations are mostly in the beyond-128 suburbs. They are now building their first urban store in the former Filene's Basement space in Downtown Crossing.

I really hope this happens. I think it suits Davis Square's needs better than the previous World of Beer and Beer Works proposals.

ETA: Based on the illustration that Jack provided, what they actually seem to be proposing is a new sub-brand of smaller Roche stores called "Brothers Marketplace", whose first location opened in Weston a few months ago. Their Facebook page is more informative than their rather skeletal website.

Comments

Delivery Truck Routes

[sheldonave.livejournal.com]

As a resident of Holland St, I would be okay with this IF they use Day, Herbert and Chester Streets for deliveries. Think this will happen?

Re: Delivery Truck Routes

[ron_newman]

As a resident of Day Street, I'm a bit concerned about the deteriorating pavement quality of my street. Though I'm willing to trade that off for better access to groceries (we already have the farmers' market trucks using our streets).

RE: Re: Delivery Truck Routes

[sheldonave.livejournal.com]

Holland Street residents would be happy if others would share the burden.

Delivery truck traffic on Holland Street has become almost unbearable the last few years. The street is full of potholes and the trucks seem to get bigger and deliver at all times of the day. Cambridge has shut down all feeder street access from Mass Ave including Beech St, so even trucks that delivery at the Porter Star Market arrive via Holland.

Somerville needs to set up some kind of delivery truck task force to work with the business community and set limits on the size of trucks along with delivery routes and times.

RE: Delivery Truck Routes

[laryu.livejournal.com]

I'll be very interested to hear about plans for deliveries. There doesn't seem to be any way Chester and Herbert could support deliveries of level needed to keep a grocery stocked.

Re: Delivery Truck Routes

[ron_newman]

There's a small parking lot behind the building, accessed from Chester Street. It would make sense to put loading docks there, rather than on Chester Street itself.

RE: Re: Delivery Truck Routes

[laryu.livejournal.com]

I'm aware of the lot, but it's difficult to access for trucks. The trucks that already use that lot drive onto the sidewalk on Herbert St. in order to back up down the alley. When there are cars parked too close to the corner of Chester and Herbert, or when there are snow piles on the ground on Chester, trucks have a hard time making the right turn from Chester to Herbert, before they can even try to back up. That's not sustainable for regular deliveries of groceries.

Re: Re: Delivery Truck Routes

[ron_newman]

I'm surprised any trucks at all are using the lot now -- are they delivering to Dunkin Donuts? The rest of the building is vacant.