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What’s Next for Nobscot Shopping Center?

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…)

September 18, 2011
Centercorp to make Nobscot anouncement October 1st

Vintage Nobscot Shopping Center sign demolished by Centrecorp.

FRAMINGHAM, MA – On July 29th, 2011 we ran an article, “Annie’s Book Stop in Nobscot Calls it Quits” about one of the Nobscot Shopping Center tenants and mentioned the Town’s growing dismay with Centercorp Retail Properties, Inc, the owner of the shopping center.

Following our article, on September 4th, 2011, Megan McKee, the local correspondent for the Boston Globe ran and article, “Officials set focus on mall vacancies“, which quotes Framingham Selectman Dennis Giombetti as saying “They [Centercorp] have done nothing but thumb their noses at us for a very, very long time,” and mentions the possibility that Framingham could seek to take the shopping center, (and other similarly distressed properties), by eminent domain — but that it would only be as a “last resort”.

On Friday September 9th, 2011, after finding Centercorp had destroyed the landmark sign in front of the Nobscot Shopping Center, we posted an article, “Nobscot Landmark Disappears“, with photos showing the sign as it was on September 3rd, and the empty base that remained on September 9th.

After we ran that story, Danielle Ameden of the Metrowest Daily News interviewed Terri Desjardins, Property Manager for the shopping center, then posted (more…)

September 13, 2011
Saturday at CJ’s Northside Grille

Patrons at CJ's Northside Grille take in some of the hot rods that show up most Saturday afternoons for the Classic Car Cruise-in.

FRAMINGHAM, MA – Bob Bradway probably never imagined that nearly 60 years after he opened the “Nobscot Drive-In” that many of the same types of cars would still be cruisin’ to the same parking lot on Saturday afternoons.

Never heard of the Nobscot Drive-In? Don’t feel left out, it hasn’t been called that for five decades — most locals remember it as Riley’s Roast Beef, or McCarthy’s or Leon’s or Lobster in the Red — or most recently as CJ’s Northside Grille — same place, different era.

This weekend, in addition to the Classic Car Cruise-in, the owners of CJ’s opened up the parking lot to the Framingham High School Flyers Cheerleaders who (more…)

September 4, 2011
Framingham Residential Real Estate Sales (July 2011)

This home at 262 Edmands Road, topped the list of Framingham, MA residential real estate sales for July 2011, selling for $670,225

FRAMINGHAM, MA– There were a total of 57 residential real estate sales in Framingham during the month of July 2011.

Of the properties sold, forty three single family homes were sold at an average sale price of just under $319k, eight condominiums sold at an average price of $112k, five multi-family properties sold at an average of $231k, and one piece of land was sold for $160k.

Sold properties had been on the market for an average of just under three months, except for the land sale — that property, a 4/10ths of an acre parcel located at 10 Fenwick Street was only on the market for four days, had an asking price of $159,900 and sold for $160,000.

Topping out the single family residence market, a 10-room, 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath colonial at 262 Edmands Road sold for (more…)

August 4, 2011
Annie’s Book Stop in Nobscot Calls it Quits

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…)

July 29, 2011
Common Ground Rocked the Common

FRAMINGHAM, MA – Hometown band “Common Ground” played to a huge audience last night at the Framingham Centre Common.

“Common Ground” plays the Allman Brothers’ classic “One Way Out” at Concert on the Green, Framingham, MA, July 15, 2011

Drawing a diverse mix the crowd included families with small children, teens, “twenty-somethings”, baby-boomers, empty nesters, retirees and seniors — all peacefully co-existing for a few hours to enjoy the open-air “Concert on the Common“.

Covering tunes from Pink Floyd, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, The Allman Brothers, Traffic and (more…)

July 16, 2011
Classic Cars Cruise to CJ’s Northside Grill

The classic cars that made Riley's in Nobscot a favorite Saturday night cruise destination has re-opened as CJ's Northside Grill.

FRAMINGHAM, MA – For nearly a decade, every Saturday night when the weather was nice, antique autos, high performance hot-rods and vintage vehicles cruised to Framingham to meet with other car enthusiasts at a restaurant in the Nobscot section of town.

The restaurant, formerly operated by Joe Breed as “Riley’s Roast Beef” is now CJ’s Northside Grille — brought back to life by Framingham natives Chris Gagen and Jamie Anderson.

Chris and Jamie are both Framingham North High class of 1989 graduates and both worked at Riley’s when Joe owned the place

Along with the partners, Chris’ brother Sean, some cousins and other family members (more…)

June 29, 2011
Framingham After Dark – Friday June 3, 2011

Things to do in Framingham, MA after the sun goes down!

FRAMINGHAM, MA – Looking for some great live entertainment? A free movie? Something to do besides wander the mall? We’ve got a few suggestions for things to do tonight that include four live music venues and a movie at the main library. Here’s the details…

Local favorites since the late 70’s The Back Pages Band featuring Doug Betschart and Inky Fair, (formerly of Fair, Yates & Betschart), will be playing at Nobscots Cafe from 9:00PM ’til closing. For great live (more…)

June 3, 2011
Shillman House Now Hiring

jcheonline.blogspot.com
A blog at http://jcheonline.blogspot.com documents the construction progress and shows some of the finish work being down as the opening date nears.

FRAMINGHAM, MA – The JCHE Shillman House, a senior independent living community of 150 one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments which was recently constructed on Edmands Rd in Nobscot is scheduled to open in June.

JCHE is currently advertising for all types of staff.

Positions range from “Hospitality Team Member”, (laundry, housekeeping and dining room wait service staff), a Dining Room Manager and Assistant Dining Manager, Cooks and kitchen utility staff, a facility Maintenance Mechanic, a Custodian, Van Drivers — and even a 10 hour per week position for a Chinese Interpreter!

They are also looking for a “Live-in Site Rep” — the job comes with a 2-bedroom apartment with all utilities and a stipend and is (more…)

April 30, 2011
FHS Photo Exhibit in Nobscot

The promotional poster for the January 2011 exhibit was created by Danielle Lagman, a junior in the photo program at FHS.

FRAMINGHAM, MA – Students in the Framingham High School “Photo 2” program will have their works on display at Annie’s Book Stop / Espresso Paulo, (in the Nobscot Shopping Center, Water St., Framingham), for the month of January 2011.

The juried exhibit of approximately 40 original framed photos are the works of FHS upperclassmen enrolled in Rebecca Cauchon’s second year photography program at the high school.

On January 16, 2010, from 2:00PM to 4:00PM a reception for the student photographers will be held, at which time the judges’ decisions for juried photos will be announced as well as a “People’s Choice” award.

Photos by the following FHS students will be included in the exhibit: Camille Bauer Lostaunau, Natalie Beier, Zach Bloomstein, Corey Bois, Nicole Caponetti, Nayara Da Silva, Alex De Sena, Noelle Deneault, Marcos Do Canto, Sophie Donahue, Johabe Franco, Dan Frazee, Maria Grandoni, Jenna Hurley, Danielle Lagman, Leo Rangel, Rob Rentel, Chris Starr, Mark Welcome, and independent study students Giles Holbrow and Cameron Burke.

The photography courses Rebecca Cauchon has taught at Framingham High Schools for the past 11 years are part of the (more…)

December 29, 2010