Hey, there! Log in / Register
North End coffee shop to give away free coffee on Monday, then close forever
By adamg on Fri, 10/28/2016 - 12:17pm
Adam Castiglioni reports Boston Common Coffee, 97 Salem St., will be shutting its doors for good on Monday - after first trying to drain its remaining stocks by handing out free coffee.
Neighborhoods:
Topics:
Free tagging:
Ad:
Like the job UHub is doing? Consider a contribution. Thanks!
Support Universal Hub
Help keep Universal Hub going. If you like what we're up to and want to help out, please consider a (completely non-deductible) contribution.
Comments
Hey
What about the other locations? Why are they closing?
Other locations
Will remain open, Adam reports. As for why, no clue.
Speculating here
But I'm sure over saturation and lack of tourist interest could have played a part. Thinking Cup and Peet's have opened locations over there relatively recently, plus 8,000 (obvious exaggeration) little cafe/bakeries, etc. Locals probably already had their spot of choice, and I'm sure many tourists want that "authentic" North End experience. Plus rent is probably sky high.
They also have another location extremely close to this one on Canal St., which is really big and way easier to get to, plus no North End crowds. It's possible that this location is drawing people who otherwise would have gone to the North End location (Raises hand, though the weekend hours are really crappy at Canal).
Hopefully the company itself is ok, I enjoy their coffee quite a bit
Tuff to compete with Modern, Mikes and others on Hanover
I would imagine most people going to the North End are going to end up in one of the tourist traps like Modern or Mikes. They want the experience more than a coffee.
That's the result when those
That's the result when those larger stores open up, the local ones can't compete as easily.
That's why some people try to keep local businesses in and be very careful with the larger ones.
Other people just want to open up anything and mock those who prefer the smaller businesses, but complain when a store they like leaves.
Isn't
Thinking Cup local too? I've only ever seen the 2 locations here, and haven't seen it in another major city. Most of the North End is local too (I suppose there's a mom n pop vs restaurant group argument that could open up, but at least there's no Pizzeria Uno there).
Not to say you shouldn't shop/eat/drink local, I'm all for it and it's one of the things I love about living in Eastie. But it isn't like they were pushed out by a chain, unless Peet's is doing THAT well.
"Drain its remaining stocks by handing out free coffee"
Doesn't really make sense. I assume they make their coffee fresh each day (who doesn't)... why wouldn't they just not brew anything on Monday and ship the extra beans / grounds to their other 3 locations?
Seems instead to be a PR stunt to inform people about the other locations. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
PS Sad to see them go.
Beans
wouldn't necessarily be delivered fresh every single day. If stored properly, they're fine for a bit until you grind them. You also have to consider milk, flavor shots, etc. Stuff that is probably way easier to just give away and write off than actually move to another location, especially considering the other locations are probably already stocked and can't guarantee enough of an instant business increase to justify overstocking product with a relatively short shelf life.
This was their first location
back when they were still called Boston Beanstock. I used to stop here regularly on my way to the office when I worked in the North End Waterfront.
Loved this spot
Used to buy Tanzanian Peaberry to bring home. Now I don't have one on my current route. Will have to go by Downtown Crossing.
peaberry
That Tanzanian Peaberry is no Sumatran Pooberry.
Booooo
Or should I say, Poooooo!
;-)
Too bad
I used to go here often, when i lived closer. I always thought it was a great place for locals, who want to avoid the tourists.
Unfortunate
I've been living in the NE for almost 5 years now and am a regular at that location. It's unfortunate they are shutting this location, but it's one of a few store fronts on Salem that have closed or relocated to other places so I'm not surprised.