Lots of Retail Space at Highland Ave & Cutter Ave

[magpie-leah.livejournal.com]

Not sure if you all have noticed yet but sadly Rock City Guitars at 378 Highland is closed. They were in the block of retail where Magpie and Comicazi used to be. I know they were a really well-respected guitar shop and they are great guys so it's really sad to see them go out of business.

I bring this up in part because all that remains in that whole building is Salonika (hair salon) and Alex Pizza and I hear that Salonika might be moving out of that building soon. I thought I would just mention this here in case anyone has any enterprising friends looking to start up a business in the area.

It's definitely not the best location ever due to the fact that you have to walk a bit out of your way to get there but for the right business, it could work out. I've heard that the landlord would consider allowing spaces to be combined (walls taken down).

Anyway -- I have nothing to gain here. I'm just a big fan of Davis and would love to see some interesting businesses added to the area.

Comments

[tt02144.livejournal.com]

I hate to sound repetitive, but that landlord is a nightmare. He has doubled most peoples' rents (he also owns the spot where the rent-a-car used to be - drove them out, too!). I don't foresee anything good going (and staying) in that building. The owners of Out of the Blue couldn't get out fast enough!

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

do you have any further information, or a detailed list of the issues with that landlord (I'm not asking because I want you to back up your claims, nor am I doubting you, I'm actually interested), because I hear they own the site at cedar and morrison that is becoming condos, but I can't find ANY info about it.

[ceo]

Um, do you mean Willow and Morrison? Some perusal of the Middlesex Registry of Deeds online database indicates that the owner of that parcel was one Christos Poutahidis, who sold it to 131 Willow Ave LLC in 2005. And according to the state business database, the managers of 131 Willow Ave LLC are Christos Poutahidis and David Proch-Wilson.

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

That's what I meant, thanks!

Link to Willow and Morrison Condo Info

[deemqueen.livejournal.com]

How about this for purple prose:

"Davis Square Condominiums, a development encompassing urban simplicity and convenience with suburban space and charm."

http://www.davissquarecondominiums.com/

Re: Link to Willow and Morrison Condo Info

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

and ridiculous prices . . .

[magpie-leah.livejournal.com]

Yep. There is definitely something to be said for that. But if I was interested in getting into one of those spaces, I would try to negotiate with the landlord for a rent that is fair when compared to going in rates in Davis coupled with the fact that this block is somewhat out of the way.

[marphod.livejournal.com]

If a landloard is unwilling to negotiate with existing tenants, for a cheaper rent, then the odds theya re willing to negotiate with NEW tenants is relatively small. There s a lot of motivation for keeping tenants (and income flows, no cost to find new tenacy, no construction costs, etc.).

And, given that the landlord has driven off several businesses, and isn't changing their behavior, the odds are that they're going to replace the buildings with something more profitable; high end apartments or condos, would be my first guess.

[magpie-leah.livejournal.com]

Yeah... I have no idea if he's going to just level the building and put in condos or what.

I will say, however, that we're on our 3rd landlord now and every one of them has been "less-than-sane" and stingy. I'm sure there are good landlords out there somewhere but you can't always get the combination you want of great location and great landlord so sometimes you just have to accept the situation at hand as long as there aren't too many other drawbacks of course. I'm not gonna go to the mat for this guy by any means. But bad landlords are sometimes the cost of doing business when spaces to rent are scarce.

[inahandbasket]

what a bummer... is rock city relocating, or are they folding?
i loved that store...

[magpie-leah.livejournal.com]

They are closed for good as far as I've been told. But you could contcat Corey to see if he has any future plans for Rock City:
http://www.rockcityguitar.com

[kevin-church.livejournal.com]

Me, big nose, not my business, but I know that the basement repeatedly flooded when Comicazi was located there and since they, you know, sell books, that can be a bit of a problem. They brought up this issue on multiple occasions with this landlord and were basically shrugged off. Throw in the fact that rent was outrageous for the space and you've got a losing combination for any business owner.

[ron_newman]

the former Cody Jewelers on Highland Ave. is also for lease.

I'd love to have Dolly's / Kay & Chips back...

[spatch]

There'd hafta be a big big big big big big big big big big big big big big big fight to get Dolly's back and open at the right hours. You think the Burren's 2AM dispensation was a hot issue? I can just see certain people foaming at the mouth over the idea of a late-night cafe.

[magpie-leah.livejournal.com]

Just as an FYI, someone I know looked into opening a food establishment at the RJ Cody place and they were told that only non-food businesses would be considered. Of course it's worth some investigation on one's own.

[ron_newman]

Understandable -- if you made a map of Davis Square and colored blue every storefront that contained a bar or restaurant or other food-related establishment ... you'd have a LOT of blue. We could use a bit of balance.

[tt02144.livejournal.com]

The owner of this vacant property is indeed the owner of the property at the corner of Willow and Morrison. And by the way, there are aspects of the building that are contrary to the very specific legal agreement worked about between him and the neighbors!
I don't have a lot of real specifics, as I wasn't a direct tenant of his, but you could speak with the owners of Out of the Blue.....they'll give you an earful about this guy!