The Davis Square Community

Hello.

Just an FYI about a local business closing, in case it was previously unreported here. The Consignment Galleries, on Highland, will be closing in February. They've been there since '03, and have been in business in the area since '89 (http://www.theconsignmentgalleries.com/). The owners/operators are really nice people and were recently told by their new landlord that their lease will not be renewed. Their building stretches between Highland and the bike path, and houses 8 other businesses including a dry cleaner. I spoke with the owners the other day and they said that the new owner is likely planning on eventually taking down the building and constructing anew, after the other current leases expire. In the meanwhile, short term leases will be granted in the spaces of current businesses, once their longer-term leases expire.

I bring this to the attention of DSLJ for a few of reasons:

1. If you're looking to do some holiday shopping, The Consignment Galleries is always a great spot to look for gifts, and the owners and consigners could use the income.
2. When long-time local businesses close, I think it's always of note.
3. The owners have no idea about whether they'll be able to relocate, and, being of somewhat advanced ages, are probably concerned about employment prospects and retirement security. Therefore, I've thought the DSLJ community might have ideas for them about potential storefronts where they could relocate.
4. I imagine that some users of DSLJ (I'm new) are members of the press or blogging communities. If so, I thought that the closing might warrant a piece in a local publication, given the uniqueness of the store, the charm of its owners, and the development narrative that their forced closing fits into, vis a vis Davis Square's trajectory in the past decade or more.
5. As a consignment gallery, the store offers a curated space where locals (and non-locals) can sell their goods. It's like a craigslist in the flesh, where you can inspect and hold items before buying them. I suspect that quite a few Davis Square residents or denizens earn money on the side from selling wares at the galleries. So it will be unfortunate when the galleries close, as that income will potentially be lost for those residents.

Thanks for your attention. I should note that I have no connection to the Consignment Galleries, other than as an occasional customer. I'm always impressed with the solicitude of the owners, and with the variety and uniqueness of the items they and their consignees sell.

Cheers, M