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Tag: Economic Development

  • What’s Next for Nobscot Shopping Center?

    What’s Next for Nobscot Shopping Center?

    Framingham, MA - Nobscot Shopping Center / Countryfare Star Market, vacant property, September 2011
    Nobscot Shopping Center's Countryfare Star Market has been vacant for most of the past decade. Mall owner Centercorp Retail Properties, Inc. recently announced plans to refurbish the property and hire a new leasing agent to attempt to revitalize the strip mall. (Photo taken September 3, 2011)

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – After we ran an article on September 13, 2011, “Centercorp to make Nobscot anouncement October 1st”, Framingham resident Beth Escobar, (who had been in contact with Centercorp Retail Properties, Inc. Property Manager Terri Desjardins), leaked the news that the company now intends to fix up the Nobscot Shopping Center property and hire a new leasing agent in hopes of getting new tenants to lease the now mostly vacant strip mall.

    The news was then leaked to the Nobscot Neighbors group, and to the Metrowest Daily News, and since then ideas and suggestions have been swirling around on a Nobscot email list about what types of stores local residents would like to see in the plaza.

    After reading several of the ideas — which consisted mostly of thoughts about what chain or specialty  grocery store may lease the vacant former Countryfare / Star market, (which is the largest retail space on the property), and hopes that CVS would (more…)

  • Annie’s Book Stop in Nobscot Calls it Quits

    Annie’s Book Stop in Nobscot Calls it Quits

    Annies Book Stop / Espresso Paulo, Nobscot Shopping Center, Framingham MA, (July 28,2011 photo)
    Soon the lights will be out for good at Annie's Book Stop / Espresso Paulo & the Nobscot Gallery in the Nobscot Shopping Center, Framingham MA, (July 28,2011 photo)

    FRAMINGHAM, MA– Nobody can blame Paul Ashton, he’s made more of an effort than most to keep the small business he operates in the Nobscot Shopping Center alive — waiting, hoping for an economic rebound, or at least some signs of life.

    On Thursday July 28th, Ashton, owner of Annie’s Book Stop & Espresso Paulo sent out a press release, regretfully announcing he is closing up shop.

    Although he hasn’t set an exact closing date, starting Friday, July 29th, he will be holding an “Everything Must Go” sale.

    In his press release, Ashton commented, “Obviously I feel quite sad about this. The book store has been in this plaza for over 20 years, and I have owned it since 2000. As other booksellers, both new and used, have found, book-buyer habits have changed significantly in recent years.”

    Citing recent trends in online shopping, Ashton went on to explain (more…)

  • Two 6-Story Towers Planned For Tech Park

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Framingham Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 9:15 p.m. in the Blumer Community Room of the Memorial Building, 150 Concord Street, Framingham, Massachusetts to consider the application of Framingham CFII, LP and The Congress Group Inc. for a Special Permit for Land Disturbance.

    The permit is in regards to a proposal to construct two six-story buildings which will be connected by a common connector building at 125, 135 and 137 Pennsylvania Avenue.

    The properties consist of the former home of International Paper and other office buildings built in the 1960’s and 1970’s.  The properties are in the Framingham Industrial Park, (which is located between Rt. 30, Rt.9 and the MassPike and is best known as the home of (more…)

  • New LIFT 9 Bus Service in Framingham

    FRAMINGHAM, MA — Beginning Monday, August 28, the LIFT Public Transit System will begin providing new service along Rt. 9. The new LIFT 9 bus will provide direct service between the West Natick Commuter Rail station and the retail, residential, and employment hubs along Route 9 in Framingham, including Framingham State College, Shoppers World, the Natick Mall, Technology Park, and the 9/90 Corporate Center.

    New route covers from 9/90 Corporate Center to W. Natick Train Station

    “After months of planning, the Framingham LIFT Public Transit System is very pleased to be able to offer the new LIFT 9 bus service to MetroWest residents,” comments Kathleen B. Bartolini, Director of Planning & Economic Development for Framingham. “This new service will provide convenient access to jobs, schools, shopping, and entertainment.”

    LIFT 9 will operate between 6:10 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. With the addition of the LIFT 9 bus, some existing LIFT routes will see changes in service. LIFT 5 will no longer be servicing Framingham State College and will be increasing service in Hopkinton. Also the LIFT 5 route will be shortened from an 80 minute round trip to an hour. LIFT 6 will operate on a different time schedule, and LIFT 7 will have a slightly different route around Framingham State College.

    For more information on LIFT 9 and other service changes, please visit www.framinghamma.gov or call the LIFT at 508-532-5459.

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  • Business Planning Workshop

    FRAMINGHAM, MA – The Town of Framingham Planning and Economic Development Division is holding a free workshop on May 25, 2006 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. entitled Business Planning I Getting Started in the Costin Room of the Framingham Public Library, 49 Lexington Street Framingham. This workshop is being held as part of the Town’s efforts to assist small businesses in Framingham.

    The workshop will be led by Peter Allen, Raul Banerjea, and Ken Harvey of the Worcester branch of Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). SCORE is an organization which provides free counseling on a wide variety of topics targeting smaller businesses. This is the second in a series of workshops that the Framingham Planning and Economic Development Division is offering to assist small businesses.

    This free workshop is open to Framingham residents and business owners.

    Please contact Karen Hayes of the Framingham Planning and Economic Development Division, by phone (508-532-5455) or E-mail (kjh@framinghamma.gov) for additional information.

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