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Too many empty storefronts in Rozzie Square

Roslindale Rambler grumbles:

... [E]very day on my way to and from the commuter rail station, I feel a little pinch in my chest as I pass by all the empty store fronts. There are far too many of them for my taste, and many with the same "For Lease" signs in the windows. I have hopeful moments of anticipation when I see properties being renovated, because I assume this means they've been rented. Alas, this not the case with the most recent renovations. But why? Is it that the economy is bad, and there aren't enough people with the entrepreneurial spirit to go around? Or is there something that prohibits people from renting these particular properties?

These long-empty storefronts make me worry about the health of our beloved Roslindale. Will people want to move into the neighborhood if it looks like the business district isn't healthy? And what will make the more lasting impression, the wonderful thriving businesses that are, or the empty spaces of business that could be? ...

A lot of those empty storefronts are in buildings owned by Stavros Frantzis, who helped revitalize the Square in the 1990s (think Birch Street and that little courtyard), but who now seems increasingly reluctant to rent his properties, whether because of exacting standards or because his attention lies elsewhere now.

See this article (scroll past the gibberish at the top) and this blog post by a merchant just outside the square which mentions "one of the only properties not owned by he who shall not be named."

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Comments

I think it must be hard to operate a small business. You pretty much have to be getting health care from a spouse to make it happen in the first place.

Landlords are part of the equation, but I think there are a lot of barriers from elsewhere - self-employment tax, seasonal business fluctuations, etc. I don't know how people manage all of that.

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Let's write a new song! -- "Blame Stavros" could be the equivalent to South Park's "Blame Canada"

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I grew up here and am very happy about the turn around in the community and the square....but the empty store fronts are a complete result of how greedy the landlord is. He doesn't have a mortgage anymore, but charges an arm and a leg for the spaces. It's not taxes or the economy....the Roslindale community would shop in local stores...it's the landlord's greed. Unfortunately, he's tight with the mayor - no help in that department to negotiate the rates down.

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