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Tiny West Roxbury store from a bygone era faces demolition
By adamg on Wed, 12/03/2014 - 9:07am
The owner of Charley's Market, 604 Weld St., goes before the Zoning Board of Appeals next week for permission to tear it down and replace it with a single-family house.
Weld Street Realty Trust needs a variance because the store's lot is smaller and narrower than allowed for a house under the zoning for the neighborhood.
The hearing starts at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday in the board's eighth-floor hearing room in City Hall.
Longtime residents remember original owner Charlie Nichols, who ran the store - first known as the Pioneer Food Store - for more than 50 years. Last year, his family and customers dedicated a bench in his honor outside the store - the only retail establishment on Weld Street.
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Comments
Horrible
The Penny Candy Store was a staple of my youth!
Let the guy build a house
The existing store serves no important civic purpose (unless scratch tickets are critical to public safety.) It's always been an interesting artifact, being smack dab in the middle of an upscale residential neighborhood. Yes it was cool back in the day, but it's day has come and gone and if the guy wants to build a house there, let him.
It's relevant to note that the neighbors fought the current owner about proposed changes to the store, so turning it into a single family house should make everyone happy. (OK, my kids will be disappointed that they can't go and buy slush there in the summer.)
It might not serve a civic purpose but...
..at least it has "ample" parking! :P
agree
but there seems to be an acrimonious relationship there. I wouldn't be surprised if the neighbors tried to block his variance request.
"upscale residential
"upscale residential neighborhood" hahahahahah - good one!
I wouldn't call that
I wouldn't call that neighborhood upscale.
I would
Adjacent Pomfret and Ruskin streets two of the nicest and priciest streets in W Rox. The white house directly behind the store recently sold for around $900k.
I know, it's a lovely
I know, it's a lovely neighborhood. My friends live there and love it. But "nice" + "price" does not = upscale.
Weld Street Realty Trust
needs a variance because of draconian regulations from a bygone era and another pointless City bureauracy.
A gray area
I agree that sometimes the zoning rules are Draconian. But then without any rules, you'd have people putting up monstrosities with no setback or opening inappropriate businesses in residential areas. Zoning laws should reflect common sense and, as you say, they don't always do that.
Regulating what types of businesses
can operate in a given area is a good thing. Regulating arbitrary requirements like "setback" is an example of draconian regulation.
While I don't like these
While I don't like these types of zoning regulations, unfortunately there's no trend in the current era to remove them.
HARUMPH!
Good God, a variance? But we have children and elderly in this neighborhood! And won't somebody please think of the property values?! Dear God, where must one now go to get a morning paper and lottery tickets?! That loathsome Centre St?!
Been in there once. Good people operating the store. I hope everything works out for them.
Meh...
As far as them being "good people", maybe so, but they don't do much to provide great customer service. When you walk in, whoever is behind the counter is on a personal phone call that extends through the entire transaction. I once was looking for a quart of skim milk and they instead sold me a half gallon of expired skim which I had to throw out. (Yes I should have returned it, but I didn't.) I know they lost their lottery license for several months back a year or so...not sure what caused that. I honestly stopped buying the occasional mega millions ticket there because I was always treated like I was interrupting their phone call.
Old Charlie's was great - New Chalies NOT great
The old Charlie's was indeed an anchor of the neighborhood w/ the glassed-in box of penny candy he would help you select one by one (e.g., swedish fishies...).
The new owners are clearly there to open, sell stuff with the least customer service available, and close the store.
I stopped going there after they neglected to keep the coffee at least warm.
Charlie - if you are reading this, you are missed... please come back!!!
I grew up in that
I grew up in that neighborhood and Charlie's store was in many ways an anchor for all of us who lived in the there. many kids in the neighborhood worked for or knew Charlie Nichols and he was one of the most decent and kindest men I have ever met in my life. I hope whoever the builder is respects/honors Charlie's memory at least and allows the bench dedicated in Charlie's honor to stay. It may not mean much to anyone who grew up from outside our community but it means the world to those of us who did.
I remember that store as a
I remember that store as a Pioneer, still have people living in that neighborhood , so I will respect the bench. Even though it came after my time. Fear not ,WRGirl!
Charlie's was the anchor of
Charlie's was the anchor of the neighborhood, and your description of Charlie was right on target. He remembered not only those of us who grew up there, but our children as well when they visited. Many happy memories.
Charlies
Charlies Country Store has never been the same without the original Charlie. He was so sweet an kind and always had a huge smile on his face now it it dark and dreary and no smiles your lucky if you can get a loaf of bread or a half gallon of milk. Not prejudiced just honest. Hope the bench can be put somewhere to keep Charlies memory alive.
Ring dings and baseball cards
I spent 4 years from 1958 to 1962 riding my Columbia bike up to Charlie's, eating ring dings, and devil dogs while purchasing baseball cards. He was a great guy, had a ready smile, and always asked how Mom was. My bike was never stolen, the ring dings were great and I sometimes got a table talk pie for 12 cents. I hated twinkles. We sat in front of the story for hours. He was a great guy.
Centre Street is Loathsome?
While I have no knowledge about Charlie's & missed the opportunity of buying my candy as a kid at that locale I stand on the side of the people who want the landmark store to stay.
Perhaps new owners & different products.
However, I am calling out the person that said " Loathsome Centre Street." What is that about? As a homeowner on Centre across from the Arbs, I find Centre to be a glorious place to live. My view is spectacular ~ My neighbors joyful. & our little block is perfect! We have over 11 thousand sq. feet of land, twice the average Boston lot of 5K sq.feet. I cross the street & I
am at the Arbs. What more does one person want?
If this guy hates Centre , why doesn't he read the paper online , as I?