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Impending Roslindale pot shop gets OK to open on Sundays after all
By adamg on Tue, 06/06/2023 - 2:47pm
The Zoning Board of Appeal today approved a request from the operators of a marijuana store now under construction on South Street in Roslindale to override a 2021 board decision barring Sunday sales.
The updated vote, 5-2, means that the Hempest, in the same building as the Hong Kong 888 Cafe, will not be the only Boston marijuana mart closed on Sundays.
In 2021, the board approved the proposed shop but said it would add a prohibition against Sunday sales there because of its location in a primarily residential area, which in addition to the Chinese take-out place also has a convenience store, a pizza place, a coffeehouse and an appliance store.
Most of the board's current members were not on the board in 2021.
One of the Hempest's co-owners, Mitch Rosenfield - who runs a hemp-based clothing store on Newbury Street and lives in Roslindale - had formally requested the change. He told the board that experience with operating stores since 2021 has shown Sunday hours are no worse than hours on any other days of the week. His partner in the project is Rick Ovesen, whose family owns the combination house/retail space where the store will go.
Board Chairwoman Sherry Dong and member Alan Langham voted against the change, but did not say why.
Once open, the Hempest will be Roslindale's second marijuana shop, behind High Profile x Budega Boston at Washington Street and Archdale Road.
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Comments
Wait...
A weed store is located next door to chicken fingers and dumpling store? Not even Tito could architect such a perfect marriage.
And good chicken fingers and dumplings
I declare as somebody who goes there enough that I no longer have to give my name to the lady behind the counter when I'm picking up our order.
Wait...
Any recommendations from 888?
I just moved into the neighborhood and ordered my favorites when it comes to Chinese takeout. I thought the house fried rice was average, and the scallion pancakes were good/very good.
But chicken fingers and dumplings are the right path?
Taste is, of course, subjective ...
But, yeah. We tend to stick with one particular dish (delights of three, I think it's called).
Their "hot" stuff isn't really very hot, but I've never asked them to spice any of it up when I've ordered something, so that might be on me.
Conflicted Review
I like that 888 is quick and delivers and they seem like very nice people. But my family generally finds the food lacking in flavor. By far, the best Chinese takeout in Roslindale is Golden House, but they do not deliver, and they only take cash. So you have to weigh convenience against flavor, and lately convenience has been winning out for us.
The staff at Hong Kong are SO
The staff at Hong Kong are SO nice. They remember all their regulars. One time online payment screwed up and I didn't have my card on me and she let me take it home and call her back with payment info. Great local business and so glad they survived the pandemic.
so dumb
Dispensaries don't create a nuisance in the neighborhood and if anything the foot traffic serves as a deterrent to break-ins and vandalism.
So...
...I'll bite. What's so special about Sunday, as opposed to Saturday or any other day of the week?
Araujo takes walks in that neighborhood on Sundays
That is almost certainly the issue that lead to the ban voted on by her version of the ZBA. She walked by their on Sundays, was annoyed by the somewhat blighted store front, so used that as a way to punish the building owner.
Key part of it, yes
If you look at the 2021 story, yes, she brought up the grates that had been there since Tex's left and were supposed to be removed after Hong Kong 888 opened and then weren't.