I'd like to see some kind of retail business. Ground floor space shouldn't be used for lawyers, accountants and such. Everyone wants to see more stores here but there is precious little space for retail establishments. We certainly do not want or need another nail salon!!! The problem is that Charlestown doesn't seem to be able to support any kind of specialty retail store.

A bakery would be nice.

Why would anyone want to move in there given the (well documented here on Patch) experience of the Durty Harry's owner? Until something is done about the loitering in that area, no retailer that anyone here would like to see is ever going to set up shop there. There's a reason why it's all nail salons, low-end take out and convenience stores....

a bakery that could outsource to all the coffee shops!

I'd love a burrito place! Anna's or Boca Grande, hook it up!

how do we reach out to businesses who want to expand? does anybody have any ideas? i know if we did a petition and presented that, it might persuade a business to open. how about a petition Matt? can we start one? thanks for being such a good vehicle for the community to communicate.

Or even better, how about a nice consignment (not clothes) shop. That would bring people into town from other areas who might spend some money elsewhere in town.

How about a store that sells supplies and instructions to make home brewed/craft beer (think Sam Adams). Maybe even wine making too. Patrons could share recipes and offer samples of their work for review. Maybe it could spin into an annual "Charlestown Beer & Wine Festival".
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Chipotle!

You're getting some great ideas, Diane. No more nail or hair solons. I'd love to see a farmers' market in there year round. I also like the idea of a fresh, affordable bakery. If the space is big enough, why not support both? In answer to Seamus, there are other very successful storefronts on that block. I'm not excusing what happened to Durty Harry's, no one in town is happy about that incident. But, I feel, the more foot traffic, the safer any and all areas become. Good luck to you, Diane, and the Chamber of Commerce in reaching out to a new, exciting addition for Main St. Cookie

Love the bakery idea. I've also wondered whether a veterinarian could be convinced to set up shop in Charlestown.

A burrito and taco stand.

Matt, i will look in to a petition. thanks! Diane

I leave within walking distance of that vacant business space and I would absolutely love to see anything local.... coffee/bakery, tapas restaurant or little taco bar (Anna's...yes!)...anything related to getting people in the community together. Main street has a lot to offer in terms of potential. I really hope a petition happens! I'd love to get involved. No more nail salons, dry cleaners, real estate offices, banks.... Nothing against them, I just don't think that is the best use of that space.

Certainly not any type of chain of any sort. A local bakery, cheese shop, farmer stand...burritos and such are great for the BU/student area, but in Charlestown that seems odd at best. I do not see burritos a great draw for business or turist, etc. Nail solon, dry cleaners and such do not create a town atmosphere...

Gabor, since when is a burrito/wrap shop an odd fit for a non-student crowd? Anna's Taqueria has a location in Beacon Hill that's always packed with MGH staffers- As a healthcare professional, I can assure you there are plenty of us who absolutely love fresh wraps and burritos, and there are plenty of us who live in Charlestown!

I'm all for anything that caters to community, healthy and local.

I agree a local bakery or burrito/burger place (Anna's, Uburger, etc) would be a great idea! Or better yet, how about an ice cream place like JP Licks?? Not many options for ice cream now that Friendly's is gone...

Get PS Deli (based in Southie - they have the BEST coffee, and its very inexpensive $3.50 for a bucket) in that space! .. that way people from Charlestown don't have to troop it there anymore! I swear every time you go into PS in Southie it's like little Charlestown

I would like to see a nice Ice Cream parlor like the old wizzard, think of how nice it would be to be able to on a nice warm summer day with the family and get an ice cream and other mean of desert. it would bring the families and neighbors together again. and they can also support some of the local charlestown sports teams it could be a really nice neighborhood place. sort of like the zumes of ice cream. Just Saying.......

amen on the burrito idea!

Another Irish pub would be nice! :D

The real question has to do with Real Estate 101 - what is the asking price for the
space? How much sq. footage is there? What is it zoned for? Could the space be
purchased? I think these questions are important to get answered before everyone starts dreaming of burritos, ice cream, etc.

How can we get all this info Mary Kay? You're right, we need answers to these questions. My guess is that it is not equipped to be a restaurant at all.

It's classified as office/retail space and the rent is $3000 per month. You can forget about your burritos and tacos!! Thank goodness.

Not to mention the City's archaic permit process that constructs every imaginable roadblock to small business.

Whatever opens up .. Hopefully a food/icecream place, I hope it will stay open late as there is nothing to eat in this neighborhood, except speedies, after 11pm

How about a satellite office from the Mayor's office to help place our young people in jobs or help them to get jobs to be productive citizens of Charlestown. I'm sure there are young people out there that would like a job but do not know where the resources are or who can help them or what they are best suited for. Just a thought.