Vacant Commercial Spaces
Posted By Chinatown Blogger On June 4, 2008 @ 1:02 am In WORD ON THE STREET | 6 Comments
Every now and then, the Chinatown Blogger likes to walk around Chinatown to check what’s happening. Today while taking a tour, a few vacant commercial spaces were noticed. The vacancies may be due to many different reasons: high rents, bad location/proximity to Combat Zone, declining sales, or the business relocated. The examples below are only a snapshot of what’s happening and the vacancies represents only a fraction of all the businesses that continue to operate in Chinatown. Some of these place may even find a new lease on life when some business or entity decides to move in. In the meantime, as long as these commercial vacancies exist, economic activity in the community is reduced and the spaces are prone to vandalism and graffiti.
Washington Street/Essex Street:
Washington Street
Washington/LaGrange Street
Washington/Stuart Street
Edinboro Street
Kneeland/Tyler Street
Tyler Street
Harrison Avenue
Harrison Avenue
6 Comments To "Vacant Commercial Spaces"
#1 Comment By Terner On June 4, 2008 @ June 4, 2008
This probably isn’t the response you’re looking for, but none of those storefronts were vacant 30 years ago when there really was a Combat Zone.
#2 Comment By osric On June 4, 2008 @ June 4, 2008
You missed all the vacant storefronts at the Ritz 
Did you know that all of the floors above the empty store at Washington & LaGrange are also vacant, and can’t even be used due to lack of egress? That is an architecturally important building by H H Richardson, the guy who did Trinity Church.
Who owns all this vacant stuff and how can they afford to keep it empty?
#3 Comment By Krissy On June 4, 2008 @ June 4, 2008
Dynasty always kinda creeps me out.
#4 Comment By Chinatown Blogger On June 4, 2008 @ June 4, 2008
Terner: Your point is valid. But 30 years ago Downtown was also more vibrant. In regards to Chinatown specifically, the trend has been that the growth of the Asian communities in Malden and Quincy will continue to put pressure on Chinatown businesses.
osric: Thank you for pointing out the empty storefronts above Washington/LaGrange. I’m sure there are other vacant places I have missed.
#5 Comment By cathyj On June 12, 2008 @ June 12, 2008
More frightening than Dynasty is the Golden Leaf at Kneeland and Hudson, which was open briefly about two years ago, with expensive furnishings, and has been locked up tight since (except for “private parties”). It’s the one with the gazebo on the top.
#6 Comment By Jan On November 6, 2009 @ November 6, 2009
Hi folks,
please see OUR blog about NYC Chinatown, it’s called [1] www.ccrcnyc.com amazingly we have a VERY similar situation in NYC Chinatown, so much so that we too have documented the condition. Hope to hear from you
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