Universal Hub - Business

Something stinks in East Boston

Steve Holt — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 16:41:37 +0000

John Antonellis is our guest writer on today's post. John has been a resident of Eagle Hill in East Boston for close to 15 years and a homeowner there for 12. He is the Lead Instructor at the Harvard Bridge Program, a worker education program for employees at Harvard University.

Something stinks in East Boston, and it isn't the litter and garbage that we're fond of bemoaning. It isn't the piles of horse manure from the stalls at Suffolk Downs, but you're getting close. On Wednesday night the stench was emanating from a meeting to present and garner community input on Suffolk Downs' plan to improve the roadways around the proposed casino - put on by the mayor's Host Community Advisory Committee's (HCAC). Or was the meeting run by Suffolk Downs? From an observer's point of view, it was hard to tell the difference, since audience members were forced to stare at the Suffolk Downs/Caesars (SDC) logo for a half-hour as we waited for the meeting to start.

Watch out, LensCrafters

adamg — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:30:08 +0000

Looks like Warby Parker, which undercuts chain prices on prescription glasses through its online store, is looking to set up a physical store in Boston.

H/t Matt Karolian.

Pushcarts get to stay in Downtown Crossing for another few months

adamg — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 15:39:03 +0000

Through the end of the year, the Globe reports.

Taxi lawsuit: Uber a crime syndicate that hates poor people and cancer patients and puts public safety at risk

adamg — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:18:54 +0000

A lawsuit by key members of the local taxi industry against upstart Uber is now a federal matter - San Franisco-based Uber yesterday had the suit transferred from state court to US District Court in Boston.

In the suit, Boston Cab Dispatch and EJT Management charge Uber, which lets customers use a smart-phone app to arrange a ride, violates state law, which requires taxis in Boston to carry medallions.

The companies charge Uber lets drivers refuse rides to certain neighborhoods. As East Boston residents know, city law prohibits medallion drivers from refusing rides there.

Alaska Airlines to begin non-stop service between Boston and San Diego

adamg — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:14:02 +0000

Alaska Airlines? Sure, why not?

Aw, poor babies: Company that gave us the Hole doesn't like scrutiny

adamg — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 23:43:31 +0000

The Globe reports Vornado Realty Trust, which left a giant gaping sore in the heart of downtown, is pulling out of the Suffolk Downs casino proposal because state officials dared to ask it for detailed financial information on its executives, to make sure they aren't actually organized crime figures or illegal ivory importers or something.

A sad yarn: Knitters could lose another shop

adamg — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 17:15:07 +0000

Mind's Eye Yarns in Porter Square is up for sale; if nobody wants to buy it and keep it open, it'll shut down later this spring.

Earlier:
Another bit of old Boston gets ripped out: Windsor Button to shut down.

H/t Cara.

Allston liquor store blames malware for theft of customer credit-card numbers

adamg — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:27:11 +0000

Blanchard's of Allston on Harvard Avenue has posted an apology and explanation for the way some customers wound up having their credit cards used for transactions halfway around the world.

Initially, reports from the experts were that there was no evidence of a data compromise in the Blanchard's systems. After receipt of still more recent complaints, Blanchard's continued with further investigation by another independent IT expert and malware in point of sale software was discovered on Friday.

Once the malware was discovered, the company immediately took down its primary credit card terminals. Blanchard's continues to investigate, but it believes that the issue was contained by Saturday and the malware neutralized and removed. At that time, the credit card terminals were brought back up.

Blanchard's continues to work closely with payment card brands and issuers to identify the accounts that may have been compromised, so issuers can employ enhanced fraud security measures immediately on potentially impacted accounts. In addition, the company is assisting federal and state law enforcement authorities with their investigation.

Fenway to get Wegmans

adamg — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:14:20 +0000

The Herald reports the supermarket chain will open up shop in Landmark Center.

Roslindale Square clothing store closing

adamg — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:42:28 +0000

Sarida, on Birch Street, is closing in June.