'bfresh' grocery coming to 240 Elm St -- Official city press release

[ron_newman]

I just got this from the city:

Fresh Foods Store Coming to Davis Square’s 240 Elm St. Building

Urban grocer’s model aims to focus on fresh foods

An urban grocer, Fresh Formats LLC, has filed building permit applications to open a fresh foods market at 240 Elm St. in Davis Square, the site of the former Social Security Building. Ongoing renovation of the building is underway and it is expected that the 11,000-square-foot ground floor will be a neighborhood market later this year.

The building, which is currently vacant, also includes 20,000 sf of office space on the two upper floors that will be occupied by Davis Square Architects, a long-time tenant prior to the renovation, and others. An additional 2,400 sf of office space in the basement will be leased separately.

“Neighborhood residents have been clamoring for a grocer to complement the neighborhood’s specialty grocers including McKinnon’s and Dave’s Fresh, so this is welcome news,” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. “To have the kind of truly livable squares our community values, we need neighborhood grocery stores, as well as services that cover the full range of community needs from banks, salons, and eateries to pharmacies and doctor’s offices. It’s this mix that helps transform a simple business district into a vibrant town center.”

Fresh Formats LLC is an Ahold company. They developed the bfresh® concept which debuted in Allston, Mass. September 2015. bfresh emphasizes fresh foods including organic produce along with natural and bulk foods and conventional groceries. The site plans received by the City also include an onsite bakery and a “Little Kitchen™” offering prepared foods made from scratch.

“My hope is that we not only have a new fresh foods market in sight, but a new community partner that will be a good neighbor in the square,” said Ward 6 Alderman Lance Davis. “With the loss of places like Farmer’s Bounty, it’s good to see another grocer coming to help anchor the heart of the square.”

Jackie Rossetti
Deputy Director of Communications
City of Somerville
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville, MA 02143
Office: 617-625-6600 ext. 2614
Cell: 857-636-2396
www.somervillema.gov

Comments

[pywaket.livejournal.com]

The Crunch gym was an intriguing option, but now that City Sports Club has changed their business format from being high-end and expensive, to $20 for a basic, one-club membership, I'm a lot less sad we didn't get Crunch.

I have to say I've never actually been able to hear the equipment in CVS from BSC - I do often stop in after workouts and I've never noticed any noise - the noisy stuff (weights, etc. are all on the third floor, or on the right side of the building). Maybe it's different when classes are going on in the big room - that *is* over the CVS...

[ron_newman]

I usually hear the crashing noises when I'm near the back of the store, around the prescription counter. I'm amazed that this doesn't break any of the glass bottles around there.

[teko.livejournal.com]

It's loudest in the morning, as Ron says, back by the prescription area. Huge slamming/crashing sounds coming from above. I have no idea what they're doing up there but it isn't yoga.

I'm curious about the gym; the lowest rate displayed on their site is $40 (for a 1-year commitment) or $45 (for month to month). What's the $20 rate?

[emcicle.livejournal.com]

agreed, though I also hear it around 5-530pm, which is when i'm likely to be picking up meds from the pharmacy.

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

The heaviest of the free weights are there - the deadlift and squat stations, the big dummbells, etc. There's a sign saying not to drop weights and not to load more than 225 lbs on the deadlift bar, but ... why do they even have bumper plates then? If you're doing Olympic or powerlifting, then something heavy is going to hit the floor, if only by accident.

[pywaket.livejournal.com]

See my comment to serious_noir below.

[serious-noir.livejournal.com]

"...but now that City Sports Club has changed their business format from being high-end and expensive, to $20 for a basic, one-club membership"

I'm confused – do you mean Boston Sports Club? They charge $40/mo with a 1 yr commitment or $45/mo for month by month.

Do they have some other deal? Or is there a "City Sports Club"? If so, where is it?

[pywaket.livejournal.com]

Sorry, "City Sports Club" is the name of the parent company - it's the BSC in Davis.

It may have been a limited time offer - I can't find it on their website anymore, but last summer, they were offering a $19.99 a month single club membership with nothing but the basics (no towel service, so you had to bring your own, and a few other limitations).

If you're interested, I'd suggest going in and haggling with them - gyms are notorious for making deals if you show up in person. Especially in the springtime and summer, when people stop signing up for memberships because it's nice enough to run outside instead of inside on treadmills :-)