Visions for Vacancies: What do You Want to See Along Route 9?
For the vacant storefronts on Boylston Street between Cypress and Washington, what kinds of businesses would you be interested in seeing there?
Today, you get to play town planner--at least in the comments section here--by telling us what dream businesses you would like to see moving into Brookline.
Commuters and residents who drive along Route 9 in Brookline Village, between Cypress and Washington Streets, will see a number of local businesses--such as East Coast Divers, the Von Huene Workshop--and larger names like Ace Tickets and Dunkin Donuts.
They may also pass the former Red Cab site--for which Brookline Town Meeting approved a "sky plane" planning concept--which is empty and could be due for renovation. Another storefront further down the street, near the old Lincoln School, stands empty.
Red Cab site's development? What kind of businesses do you want to see along this part of Route 9?
A few months ago, we asked what businesses Brookline is missing, following the news of Otto Pizza and Hops and Scotch coming into Coolidge Corner. Suggestions included more vegan dining options and independent cafes. One reader suggested a branch of Jamaica Plain's City Feed and Supply.
In This article
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East Coast Divers Inc.
213 Boylston St, Brookline, MA -
Von Huene Workshop
65 Boylston St, Brookline, MA -
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City Feed and Supply
66a Boylston St, Jamaica Plain, MA
Bill Davidson
11:25 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
I remember hearing that New England Soup Factory was planning to move to Route 9 in lieu of Children's Hospital's plans to build at 2-4 Brookline Place. However, as that project has yet to begin, New England Soup Factory has stayed put.
Jean Stringham
11:46 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
The town needs to work with the owners of the empty stores along Route 9, especially near Cypress Street, to clean up the windows and get the places in better shape for rental or sale/ demolition. Also, there needs to be more parking for these stores provided in a nearby parking lot. There used to be a parking lane in front of the stores but that was eliminated in the past.
CAL
1:01 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Having grown up in the area and seen stores from Dry Cleaners, Liquor and Wine Stores,Hardware and ApplianceStores, Pizza and Sub Shoppes,. etc, etc go by the wayside to what now seems to be a now vacant run-down and ill kempt string of locations, something needs to be done to bring an anchor or two to the area and then the rest will follow.
Whole Foods and Pinkberry would be nice in addition to a restaurant or two.
Sue Roth
10:47 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Without parking options, it will be hard to get businesses to stay. RT 9 is a commuter road.
Grahame Turner
10:58 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
The parking is a good point. I have noticed some cars stopped or parked on the street, and there are some parking lots within walking distance (5 minutes or so) but there isn't really an obvious spot for parking in the area.
There is a pretty large restaurant, Alere, coming to the area: http://patch.com/A-rqch
Route 9 does make it tough, so perhaps the area needs some way to make people stop? Anyone else have suggestions? Either for what should be there, or for how the area could be made into a better commercial area?