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Comments
Fourth chain business to leave Porter Square recently
In the last year or so we've lost Blockbuster Video, Pizzeria Uno, Qdoba, and now Jennifer Convertibles. Makes the area look a bit forlorn even though it's quite prosperous.
Some of us also miss The Gap and Burlington Coat Factory, which closed earlier and have never been replaced by anything comparable. There is no place to buy men's clothing or shoes anywhere in Porter or Davis. The Burlington Coat Factory space (basement below Shaw's supermarket) is still vacant, while the Gap was replaced by a totally unnecessary and useless Citibank.
Maybe useless to you, if you
Maybe useless to you, if you don't have a citibank account.
I agree that men's clothes should be made available north of Harvard. Not all of us work or play places where funky consignment clothing is accepted, and the local designer clothing I've seen here and there is nice but pretty pricey. Something on the level of a Gap would be awesome to have in either Porter or Davis.
Citibank is useless, yes
We already have Bank of America, Cambridge Savings, Cambridge Trust, Citizens, Sovereign, Winter Hill Bank, Wainwright Bank, Middlesex Federal, Central Bank, Century Bank, and USAlliance credit union in the general Porter-Davis neighborhood. There was no good reason to bring in a New York City bank in place of a useful clothing chain.
Uh...
It's not like Citibank forced the Gap out. The Gap left (like they did in Central Square), and I'm guessing Citibank was the first to be interested in the space.
why leave?
Guess the broader question is why did the businesses leave? Rent increases, or not enough business to make the location viable?
All four of these chains have had economic problems
Jennifer Convertibles and Pizzeria Uno are in bankruptcy. Blockbuster has been rapidly shrinking nationwide due to competition from Redbox and Netflix. Qdoba has had economic troubles too. So I don't really think this reflects on the local climate of Porter Square specifically.
Blockbuster has really shrunk
Blockbuster has really shrunk its local base. They shut the Medford store on Mystic Valley recently (I think they owned the Porter Sq franchise as well).
I'm pretty sure the Jennifer
I'm pretty sure the Jennifer Convertibles on Boylston just closed down (or is closing) too.
and the one in dedham as
and the one in dedham as well.
Uno doing better, for now
From July 28th: Uno emerges from bankruptcy
(It's also not called Pizzeria Uno anymore, it's Uno Chicago Grill.)
Or
Pizzeria Undici?
Ugh
It's puns like this that make me feel like downing a shot right as I sit.
Ok
But plastic shot cup only, please.
Haha, wow
Thanks for pointing that out, it went right over my head.
Keep them coming Adam!