New eatery on Highland Ave

[mary388.livejournal.com]

I have gotten a notice from the city that there is to be a Zoning Board Hearing hearing on Wed., Jan 6
re 378 Highland (the Kick Ass Cupcakes site) to change the use from a bakery to a fast food restaurant. Applicant is Christos Poutahidis Management. Does anyone have any info?

Comments

[ron_newman]

Yes, there's a sign on the storefront saying it will be Opa Greek Yeeros restaurant. That spelling looks weird to me but it's actually closer to the correct pronunciation of "Gyros".

Here's my earlier post about this.

[teko.livejournal.com]

That's the location of Opa! Greek Yeeros.

I also noticed that there's a sign on the side of the building advertising the availability of 380 Highland -- the current Event Temps space -- which it says will be vacant March 2016. I'm not surprised that they're closing, as their owner was very vocal in town hearings about her concerns around being next to Tenoch.

[ron_newman]

What impact did the owner of Event Temps expect Tenoch to have on her business? I remember nearby residents being concerned about noise and entertainment, but not this.

[teko.livejournal.com]

The concerns she voiced were around the noise; she brought up the issue that a previous tenant had stayed open until 2am and she remembered loud music and drunks at that hour. She didn't explain what effect that would have on a temp agency that's only open during business hours, and the Tenoch guys made it clear that they would only be playing music from an iPod.

She also repeatedly brought up her complaint that she wasn't invited to Tenoch's "get to know us" neighborhood open house. The Tenoch guys insisted that they put a leaflet in her mailbox but she seemed very put out that she felt uninvited.

[keithn.livejournal.com]

Hopefully we can get a tenant in that location who will have a better relationship with their neighbors and the community.

[ron_newman]

I recall Tenoch saying, at their open house, that they might very occasionally have a mariachi band.

Also, I've sometimes seen people in the EventTemps office at night. It doesn't seem to be a strictly 9-5 operation.

[teko.livejournal.com]

Yes, they specified that that would only be on special occasions (they mentioned Día de los Muertos) and that they'd only have live music after their neighbors' business hours. They offered to work with her to figure out the best time for that to happen.

[somerfriend.livejournal.com]

I say good riddance to Event Temps for being obnoxious. If you want to be in a commercial area, you have to understand there will be people around. And it is not like it is ever going to be a raging party at a place people go to eat Tortas.

On the other hand I did temp for them a little bit 10 years ago and it was convenient having their office be here so I feel for the temps they are abandoning with their decision.

[erlala.livejournal.com]

The Tenoch owners mentioned this weekend that they are considering taking over the next door space, and using it as a prep area. They said that business in their first few days has been steady, and nonstop, so the prep space would help them to keep up with the foot traffic.

[ron_newman]

That would be a lot of prep space. Isn't EventTemps as large as the restaurant?

[erlala.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think it is about the same size as the restaurant. And I agree, it would be a big prep space. I didn't get into the details/logistics when I spoke to them, so I'm not sure if they have more specific thoughts on its use.

I would be thrilled if they used that space to expand for more seating and more options on the menu. The menu has already expanded compared to the Medford location. As a regular customer at the Medford location, I am so happy to have Tenoch in a more convenient location.

[02143.livejournal.com]

The planning staff report was just released, recommending Conditional Approval. It's case ZBA 2015-105, and looks like the hearing is indeed Jan 6.

Report: http://www.somervillema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rnd/Highland%20Ave%20378%20SR.pdf
Plans: http://www.somervillema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/378%20Highland%20Ave%20SP%20Plan%20Set.pdf

[ron_newman]

I like the recommendation that one of the parking spaces be converted to temporary outdoor seating during warm-weather months.