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No more ciggies at Mass. Ave. Cumbies

Closed Cumberland Farms

Joe Donahue reports the Cumberland Farms at Mass. Ave. and Albany Street in the South End has bought the farm.

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Comments

I was confused.

they should make it a warm safe place for all the homeless drug addicts that frequent the area to go get warm and eat.

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A private business should definitely take on that task.

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Perhaps the task could be undertaken by a large, well- funded "nonprofit" institution , as part of its community service justification for occupying prime city real estate without paying taxes?

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Good luck getting any owner of prime real estate to rent it out to a non-profit who will load in a bunch of homeless folks. Certainly more noble a cause than an easy sell.

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As someone who worked in that sort of non profit.. and conveniently sat across from the Real Estate group. I can tell you that's not really true. Of course, PRIME real estate.. esp where they could turn more of a profit renting to retail/restaurant, landlords will look at those first.

But on nearby side streets. Yes, very much so. Many landlords saw us as stable, long term tenants. No problems, and the check clears every month without an issue. Plus many of our centers would close at 6pm, so no evening traffic.

And you'd be surprised where.. we ran a few of our drop in centers and group homes in very convenient places you wouldn't expect. They are just un-marked and blend in with the rest of the store fronts.

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Since the homeless\drug using population is already a significant presence in the area and storefront, I would think this is an easier sell than trying to lure another corporate-backed tenant aiming to serve a more traditional consumer population.

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i don't really think anyone is going to do anything with a commercial property to help homeless drug addicts! sheesh. i'd be more inclined to see if it was possible for the city to find an an island without a bridge to help ease the homeless drug addict problem.

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Jackie's Packie.

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All the business's in that area known as the Methadone mile are unable to attract customers because of drug addicted zombies and sirens that go on for 24 hours. The hotels in the crosstown area reviews are what you would expect if you stayed stayed in skin row and they will be the next to leave.

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...On Tripadvisor, all of the hotels and B&Bs in that neighborhood have good ratings. Not that I disagree with the issues you raise, but out-of-towners will see little reason to skip the Hampton, Roundhouse, etc., especially if they have someone staying in the hospital.

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The Hampton Inn has the lowest Yelp rating I've ever seen for a hotel. Both are only 3 stars.

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Oddjob60 specifically cited Trip Advisor. not Yelp. Most recent ratings for Hampton Inn are above 3 starrs , reviewers typically praising the staff and access to the BUMC and Logan. Though several reviews also mention the prevalence of drug in the area (as a negative).

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I dread going to the CVS on Harrison now, and I avoid it and go elsewhere whenever possible. I suspect the pressure from local businesses will be the ONLY thing that gets Marty to really do anything at all about the problem. The whole "give me 6 more months" thing is a joke. If he hasn't made progress on solving the problem by now, he certainly won't have much to show by Election Day. But if enough businesses complain and fold, that might motivate him.

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Rather sad situation here. As someone who used that store on and off while at the medical center I can attest to the problem with the clientele that lurks outside and is a constant gauntlet to pass through looking for cigarettes, money, and/or other handouts.

The management of that store was powerless to do anything about it as well. The PD also cannot do much about people on a public street either.

The question is whether the foot traffic will gravitate further up Albany to the convenience store by the garage.

The McDonalds there is just as bad. One very late night we stopped there, hungry after a long drive, and that was the only place open for a quick burger to chow-down on during the last leg home. I watched as the rest room door was buzzed open for someone wanting access to allegedly make a pit stop only to watch the door held open for 2 more who went in when that person.

So I doubt this was a situation like at the Back Bay station but my best guess was that there were drug dealings or shootings-up taking place.

We left pronto. Lesson learned.

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if it were a multi-stall restroom. (I don't know if this one is.)

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I'm always happy to see a business that deals tobacco to the nicotine junkies closed down.

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