Melrose's Downtown Is Terrific. How Do We Keep It That Way?

MELROSE, MA — When the future of Buckalew's was unknown, a question on the lips of many residents was how to protect the unique shops that give downtown its charm.

While Buckalew's found a lifeline across the street, the question persists. What protections do locally owned small businesses have against landlords looking to raise rent, bring in another tenant, or just move on?

The answer: Almost none.

"I've tried to brainstorm - to the extent that we can," City Planner Denise Gaffey told Patch in an October phone interview. "I don't know that we have that many tools, and from a practicality standpoint we don't have a lot of resources in this [planning] department to help and be proactive."

City Hall isn't blind to the issue. While the current focus is on the override ballot question and the city's revenue stream, the erosion of a bedrock like downtown would be tough to stomach.

"Absolutely, the city is always concerned when a local business can't afford to pay the rent because the rent is increasing, especially a business like [Buckalew's] that contributes to the vibrancy of the downtown," Gaffey said.

It should be noted that Buckalew's owner Robin Peevey did not indicate that the rising rent was the primary reason she was leaving. But the situation is emblematic of a larger issue, namely that that private landlords have every right to bring in whatever business they so choose, as long as it fits within fairly broad zoning requirements.

Protections for locally owned businesses can be hard to find. The most powerful check and balance might be the people asking how to help.

"I think it means if you're getting a birthday gift for a child, you're going into Lilah Rose and Beansprout every time instead of Target," Lauren Grymek, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, told Patch. "If you need unique gift for somebody it won't be on Etsy or Amazon, it'll be Hourglass. There might be times where it might be a little more expensive ... but that's how we can keep downtown vibrant, by keeping these businesses in business."

The role of the consumer can sometimes be lost on the consumer. For instance, a common complaint is having five pizza places within a couple hundred feet of each other - but someone must be eating all that pizza.

Gaffey said bringing on an economic development planner who could work with small businesses would go a long way to help. The position is included in the city's Master Plan, but Melrose isn't exactly flush with spare cash right now.

"Our downtown vision - because it's so successful - is kind of maintaining what we have," Gaffey said. "It's well planned. Ample parking, but it's all in the back so you're not confronted with parking interference. The storefronts all look great."

Some of the businesses have helped each other out. Stearns & Hill's came to an end, but the building was sold to the owners of Turner's, who will soon open The Rising Eagle.

Whittemore's downsizing allowed for the Plaza Barber Shop to move in. Mike from Mike's Barber Shop, in business for decades a couple blocks down, now has a chair there. Buckalew's will move into Whittemore's space next year, and another local business is in talks to eventually join, Patch has learned.

Gaffey said all the changes at once - including a couple long vacant storefronts - can make things seem more severe than they are. Downtown, she said, is still a wonder.

"It is the primary thing people tell you when they're not from Melrose and you tell them you're from Melrose," Gaffey said. "'Oh, Melrose has a great downtown.' And it's true!"

Now everyone has to come together to keep it that way.

Subscribe to Melrose Patch for more local news and real-time alerts, and like us on Facebook to get in on the conversation!

Got a local news tip? Email mike.carraggi@patch.com

Photos by Mike Carraggi