Hey, there! Log in / Register
Old coffeehouse could become new veterinary clinic in Roslindale Square
By adamg on Thu, 05/05/2016 - 12:45pm
Roslindale Village Main Street reports the owner of 2 Belgrade St. is nearing completion of a lease with a veterinary clinic to move into the space once occupied by Select Cafe, which closed in 2013.
In recent weeks, workers have been gutting and renovating the space.
Neighborhoods:
Topics:
Free tagging:
Ad:
Support Universal Hub
Help keep Universal Hub going. If you like what we're up to and want to help out, please consider a (completely non-deductible) contribution.
Comments
Interesting choice! Probably
Interesting choice! Probably won't do much for nightlife but is a good addition. Would be awesome if they carry the prescription food I normally have to drive to our vet to get
Bad choice
I have to say I disagree about it being a good addition at that location. Yes, Rosi getting a vet clinic is a fine thing, but that particular site is kind of perfect for commuter and walk-in retail.
As a vet's office, I imagine that most of those great picture windows will have blinds in front of them, and there will be a parade of vehicles double parking to load/unload kitty&puppy carriers.
Kind of strange that the estate's executor allegedly was reluctant to lease to a food business for fear of the tangled licensing/regulatory situation, but is ok with a medical facility - I can't imagine the redtape is any less onerous.
*Walk in* retail is slowly
*Walk in* retail is slowly dying, though. Unless you're talking CVS style last minute on the way home, or grocery, thriving retail is now focusing on destination specialty goods. Do people really want to stop on their way home and buy shoes when they can buy them online cheaper and have them delivered to their front door same day? The data suggests not so much.
If anything it should be coffee / dunks / take out, but it seems like those businesses have failed their before and the landlord doesn't want them anyway.
Maybe we'll get some walking traffic between here and the Petco.
My understanding is that the
My understanding is that the building does not have the ventilation necessary to support a kitchen. So that limits any restaurant use. I'm glad it will not be vacant anymore.
Kind of a bummer.
It's such a great space for a cafe or anything that would continue to add life to Birch Street and that whole area. It just seems like too good a prominent street front for a medical office, even one filled with cute animals.
Landlords
Most of the props in the square have a bad rep for landlords, be happy someone is willing to put up with it.
Also look at the issues the are running into for a liquor license down the street.
Lack of interested parties was not an issue
Two local business owners have told me directly that they had inquired about leasing the space and been turned away, and they also said that there were others who had gotten the same response.
So lack of interest from Rosi square businesspeople was not an issue.
Sure, but at what rate?
I suspect a vet's office can pay more than say, Jimmies, so I can't really fault the landlord for trying to get more money. Also given all the empty stores, I'm happy to get more businesses into the square vs. moving the same ones around.
Disclaimer - what follows is all informed hearsay from talking to various retailers in town:
My understanding is that the vet/Select building is full of long term leases for the other tenants at very, very favorable rates so there's actually probably more pressure on the landlord to get some return on their investment with this space. IDK why these weren't terminated with the transfer of the building, but here we are.
Generally, rent is a serious challenge in Roslindale. The Birch St spaces (and Reese/phone store on the Corinth) all have the same owner, who charges a lot. The Bay State Model RR owns that building and doesn't charge 'market' rate for their spaces which is a huge benefit for Birch St, Dandelions, Rossman, etc.. So while the guy who led the charge to create the courtyard restaurant space (great!) is also the same person (now deceased) who charges rent which is too high for retail to sustainably work in the attractive spaces he owned (terrible). This is why there is so much turnover yet Birch St H+G and Rossman roll along year after year.
Also...
The man of Mediterranean descent who owns the block has been forever known as a first class asshole.
It's a destination business
That area of the square needs to draw in people who are coming specifically for what you are selling. The commuter thing is great until 9:00am, but then you are dead all morning. I miss Emack and Bolio's as much as the next fella, but this vet clinic will attract people to this location much more than a cafe.
Even though I make fun of people worrying about parking, that may be a bit tough right there. But if people know they are going to the vet and their animal is ambulatory, they can park in the commuter rail lot across the street, so it's not like there isn't anywhere to go.
Coffee Break Cafe
This would be a great place for the small South Shore based chain. They just opened in Lower Mills and the place is great. Oh well, maybe they can look at Hyde Park.
what more evidence is needed...
...to see that Rozzie is going to the dogs.
Hurrah - This is good news for the Square!
Every time I take my dog over to JP, I have to hassle with parking. But, what I ALWAYS do, either before or after the visit, is get a coffee at City Feed. This vet clinic has a very high probability of bringing new people to the square. The coffee at Fornax is great; also the cheese shop. I am not sure the square needs another coffee shop with these nearby stores offering good coffee. Take into account that the Green T coffee shop is expected to open soon. People will also make short drives for coffee if on their way - haven't we all? Welcome! I look forward to transferring my vet services as soon as they open.