Some community members say that leases to retail businesses providing everyday necessities have yet to appear, leaving another gaping hole in their lives.
Harry E. Mattison, a member of the Allston Task Force, says that the problem is not that Harvard is lagging behind in leasing land, but rather that the University is not listening to residents’ needs. He says that the kinds of businesses that the University is bringing to the neighborhood will not necessarily be assets to the community.
“Not too many senior citizens and people with young children are going to go to an all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant,” says Mattison of Maki Maki, a Japanese restaurant to which Harvard leased space earlier this year.
Ray Mellone, chair of the Allston Task Force, says he would like to see services such as hair salons and barber shops and that there are already enough restaurants in the area.
Other residents note that would rather see more local businesses, like Kelliher’s Happy Owl Cafe.
“It’s too bad that they couldn’t have done something to help some of the local kids,” says Allston Civic Association President Paul Berkeley.
SERVING THE COMMUNITY
Despite some resident apprehension, the businesses that have leased property from Harvard, some of which have already moved in and others which have yet to do so, say they are excited by the prospect of serving the community.
Stone Hearth, a family-friendly pizzeria, will occupy an abandoned gas station, where a Citgo used to be.
Artwork from local middle schoolers cover the wall of Jonathan Schwarz’s Stone Hearth in Bellmont, MA.
“There’s doing well and then there’s doing good,” Schwarz says. “Not only does this idea influence our food and operations in terms of sustainability, but it also influences the way we relate to the community. I firmly believe that a business should be a part of the neighborhood, not just serve it food.”
Swiss Bakers’ owners, Thomas and Helene Stohr, were approached by Harvard to create their home base in Allston in addition to the one in Reading, MA. Aware of tensions, they say they plan on integrating themselves into the community as quickly as possible.
“We don’t have customers, we have guests ... mentally of course,” Thomas Stohr says with a chuckle. “We can’t wait to hug Allston people.”
While the sentiment may not be entirely mutual, residents say that some service and retail business is better than none at all.
“If the option is an abandoned gas station or Stone Hearth, of course we are going to choose Stone Hearth,” says Mattison.
Despite not being able to open her cafe in her neighborhood, Kelliher says that she looks forward to the new businesses’ openings.
“I’m hopeful and excited about the pizza, the bakery, and the sushi ... [Western Avenue has] been such a dead zone.”
—Staff writer Tara W. Merrigan contributed to the reporting of this article.
—Staff writer Nathalie R. Miraval can be reached at nmiraval@college.harvard.edu