Locals Share Thoughts On Empty Stores In Coolidge Corner

Have you noticed the many empty storefronts in the Coolidge Corner area? Nearby store owners and shoppers have. A number of Brookline residents noticed and have strong opinions about what should occupy those spaces. Residents said over and over they don’t want to see more pizza places or banks.

“We need anything that is not a bank or a pizza restaurant. Or a CVS, we definitely don’t need another CVS,” said Andy Hambrick, an employee at Eureka! Puzzles.

People were also looking for more affordable restaurants to add to the variety of Coolidge Corner offerings.

Two students from a nearby Brookline Manor off-campus residence hall said it would be useful to have more stores and restaurants that were in the budget for college students like them.

“We really need affordable healthy food,” said Meaghan Irving, a college sophomore at Newbury.

Another student thought it would be nice to have a working laundromat in Coolidge Corner since the one down the street is ineffective.

“The laundromat closest to us is busted and the quarter machines don’t work,” said Brittney Freeman.

Store owners had a slightly different perspective. In addition to restaurants, they thought more retail, like stores for men or stores with kitchen supplies, might be good to see around. With the majority of spaces being occupied by banks that mostly close around 5 p.m., they need shops that continue to bring shoppers in.

“We really need stores that will bring in more traffic,” said Beth Venti, owner of Wild Goose Chase in Coolidge Corner.

Mallory Stefan is a communications student at Newbury College