A new retail development project by Charter Realty is seeking permits to bring a Starbucks Coffee shop to 198 Hanover Street, known as the “Gateway to the North End.” Located at the corner of Cross Street, the site is across from the Rose Kennedy Greenway and currently occupied by Citizens Bank at the old Martignetti’s Liquors site.
The arrival of the omnipresent coffee chain in the high profile location is sure to be controversial given the longstanding tenure of Hanover Street’s iconic Italian espresso cafes, including Caffé Vittoria, Caffé Paradiso and Caffé Dello Sport along with other Hanover coffee shops, My Cousin’s Place and The Thinking Cup.
The new building would contain three retail spaces and be up to 35 feet in height to include one high ceiling first floor and a 2nd floor mezzanine. The Citizens Bank ATM branch is expected to move to the center Cross St. location. The third retail space at the corner of Salem Street does not yet have a proposed tenant but has been previously been used for eateries including Caffé Graffiti and Bread & Butter.
News of the Starbucks proposal comes from a notice by the Zoning, Licensing & Construction Committee of the North End / Waterfront Residents’ Association. NEWRA’s ZLC Committee is scheduled to hear the applications at its May 2018 meeting. According to Chair Victor Brogna, the coffee giant is entering into a lease with property owner / developer Charter Realty that purchased the property in 2013 from the Martignetti family. Starbucks is being represented by Attorney Daniel Toscano.
If approved, Starbucks will be the second national coffee chain on Cross Street, joining Peet’s Coffee that opened in the former Goody Glover’s space at the corner of Salem Street. Boston’s own Dunkin’ Donuts does not currently have a North End store, with its closest outlets at Harbor Garage and North Station. Property owners on Hanover and Commercial Streets have reportedly considered Dunkin’ stores, but withdrew plans rather than face potential backlash from neighbors. Starbucks already operates several nearby locations on the waterfront including Lewis Wharf (2 Atlantic Ave.), Long Wharf (Marriott), Rowes Wharf and is opening a new store with outdoor seating at Faneuil Hall Marketplace.
Although there are no “anti-chain” zoning regulations, past proposals in the heart of the North End have been highly contested at neighborhood meetings and the stores have operated with mixed results. Most recently, a Pinkberry frozen yogurt franchise store closed after a failed three year run. Yet, there are still two 7-Eleven chains on Hanover Street and a CVS pharmacy.
After the Big Dig, the plaza on Cross Street appeared to be a stellar business location and became known as the “Gateway to the North End” across from the Greenway. Not only does it feature the famous Freedom Trail path in front, but it also spans the busiest commercial areas in the North End, between Hanover and Salem Streets.
The promise of the Cross Street Plaza is still waiting to be realized. The large brick covered area has remained oddly desolate. Other than a juicery and nail salon (both of which are moving), most of the storefronts never gained much momentum. Proven businessman Nick Varano put his sandwich shop up for sale a few years after opening. Similarly, Frank DePasquale moved his pasta shop to Mechanic’s Court, off Hanover Street. Other failed enterprises in the space include Bread & Butter and Caffe Graffiti. Although daytime parking was eliminated from part of the plaza, plans by officials for permanent seating and tables never developed.
Charter Realty is expected to bring plans to upcoming neighborhood meetings in late April and May 2018 before final permits are considered by city officials. Check the Community Calendar for details on upcoming public meetings.
So much for the rumor that Legal Seafood was taking over the entire building.
I can’t see a reasn why this won’t be a done deal. Already have chains (Peet’s) so that objection isn’t practical.
Starbucks has enough cache and name and product recognition that it will most likely be a success.
Thanks to the landlords of that building for selling out.
I think the Starbucks is a bit of a bummer – would have loved to see a “local” chain featured on that corner like Tatte Bakery or Flour, or perhaps something like Clover with alternative casual and lighter lunch dining options (gluten free, vegetarian) for those who can’t enjoy all the Italian offerings.
Sorry to see that the Juicery is moving around the corner to Salem St. Was hoping that they would have outdoor seating once the weather improved. It has been a wonderful, healthy addition to the North End.
It would be a shame to see Starbucks considered the gateway to the North End maybe if you were a tourist or a yuppie you might like but not if you are Italian considering what that neighborhood means to Italian heritage
Very expensive product in a location dealing with the tourist trade. The places mentioned in the neighborhood won’t loose any business. I don!t think I will walk all the way over there to pay $5 for a cup of coffee. As it is, I just wave to them going through the Marriot.
Let’s get the neighborhood and neighborhood businesses out to protest Starbucks.
Starbucks has enough locations in the area..
Their coffee sucks anyway
Amen to that.
Peets coffee is owned by Starbucks
Peets is owned by JAB Holding Co. they also own Brueggers, Einstein Bagels, Panera, Keurig as eell as many other companies but I don’t think Starbucks is one of them.
Starbucks is traded independently.
I love Starbucks coffee, but I would prefer to have an eating place that I could take food to the Greenery to eat during good weather. My ideal would be to have Maria’s Pastry expand, as did Modern, and definitely include the cannula, the best in the North End. Perhaps Pace’s? Starbucks does not offer enough choices for food (and a previous high-priced sandwich eatery did not make it).
Neither the tourists nor the North End need a chain store at the gateway.
Mr. Bacigalupo. I agree with you 100%. I grew up in the North End when it was home to a variety of mom and pop stores. The North End has changed plenty over the years, it does not need an overpriced chain store. By the way are you a history teacher?
This is such a bummer! I love Peet’s coffee but was really sad to see them come into the neighborhood – we have so many beautiful local places that we should be celebrating. Matt please keep us updated on how we can make our neighborhood voices heard.
A Starbucks at the entrance to the North End??? Not a fan of this idea, hopefully it doesn’t get approved… the North End is the small business hub of Boston & Starbucks is like the epitome of gentrification.
you don’t think the north has has already been gentrified? good grief.
The North End, unlike the rest of gentrified Boston, has maintained an authenticity to it’s traditional cultural roots. The “new” generation of “short term residents” (avoiding the word yuppie) have very little say in neighborhood politics. The buildings & businesses are all still owned by North End families & unlike, say Southie or Charlestown, the neighborhood continues to stay true to its European roots in a rapidly gentrifying metropolitan area. Nonetheless (with all of the independently owned coffee shops in the neighborhood – Paradiso, Vittoria, Lil Italy, Dello Sport), if you think a Starbucks has a place in the North End, more likely than not you are not a good fit for the neighborhood.
“The buildings & businesses are all still owned by North End families” – false. Plenty of buildings are no longer owned by “north enders.” As for businesses, off the top of my head: White Hen that became 7/11 (we have 2 of them now), Tenoch Mexican, Thinking Cup, Pinkberry, CVS, Starbucks, Peets, The Juicery are all examples and it will continue. The North End is gentrified. It’s been a process that started a long time ago:
https://www.bu.edu/today/2016/north-end-boston/
https://northendwaterfront.com/2017/01/revisiting-north-end-gentrification-1979-american-preservation-magazine/
Speaking of “very little say” in neighborhood politics – John Pregmon, is an excellent addition to our community. I am quite happy he’s chosen the North End as his home. The incredible work he does for the NE community and he’s is from PA Not a “North Ender.”
Times change. Neighborhoods change. Perhaps, if you live in denial, you miss all these changes, but they still happen.
I’d rather we didn’t have another Starbucks in the neighborhood, but like others have said, it will probably be one of the few places to afford the rents as a result of the the new construction on Cross St.. Also, Starbucks is on my jogging path and quite frequently, there is a long line of people waiting to order coffee (or whatever). I can’t imagine they are all tourists, so yes, people who live in the North End drink Starbucks. It happens.
JD – You are 100% correct.
Five years here? I’ve lived here my entire life as well, Gennaro. We just added to our 4th generation recently. A bouncing baby boy. However, none of this is important though because this isn’t about how long either of us has lived here.
This is about gentrification which has been happening for a long time. The businesses listed above are not owned by “north enders” though regardless of property status, right? Also, why are north enders renting their properties to these non-North End businesses that supposedly everyone hates? If people are so against these “non-north end gentrifying chain-stores” then why give them space? The bigger picture, however, is that development of cities/neighborhoods seemingly cannot be stopped, whether we like it or not.
Again, I am NOT for another Starbucks, but it is doubtful it can be prevented.
There was a liquor store there at one time.
Chains stores do not adorn the gateway to the north end
They do not belong in our community.
You need to be an authentic Italian caffe ‘not a pretend one. ‘Starbucks is
Expensive “bland” coffee with ridiculously pretentious (albeit cute) names offering free(?) workspace to individuals who are uncomfortable in a true European (OK American/European) environment. Starbucks in the North End? It will be fun to see how long it lasts.
And the word “gateway”–will somebody please get a map??
I think that this spot would be a great location for the marijuana dispensary.
Sal, a marijuana dispensary at the ” gateway”? I don’t think so
You don’t think so? What should we put there? Another Italian Restaurant that will serve the same items as all the other ones? A dispensary would bring in so much more money in taxes and would bring a new clientele to the neighborhood.
New clientele? That is what concerns me.
Might as well commercialize what’s happening there now.
Sal, there’s already enough marajuana being “dispensed” around the corner in Cutillo Park!
It sure would have been nice to see as much commentary about NEMPAC’s need to secure the transportation building as there is about a coffee shop chain.
Another loss for the North end
The problem is that the rent in is going to be $o expensive. The article mentions two very successful local businessmen who had stores there and moved out. If they can’t make it there how can any other local with less resources succede? Unfortunately only deep pockets (Chain Store) will make it.
I’m noticing a neighborhood outcry against this establishment, I’m sitting here wondering where was the push back in the 1980’s and 90’s when my parents operated a convenience store on Salem st.and the same people who are against STARBUCKS allowed CVS, 7/11, White Hen Pantry to just walk right in with NO neighborhood outcry? Why was it OK then and not now, maybe because it effects certain restaurants, coffee shops ect? It’s too late you all get what you deserve!!!!
Stephen Agrippino
I think all the griping in the North End won’t halt this place. As Carman mentioned, the rents favor this type of operation. They stamp these out, no brainer operations where they manage by the script. They watch the profit continually and just pullout and try somewhere else if it doesn’t work out. What you are talking about is a commitment to the neighborhood. For outfits like this is just a test or a foray. Better be careful if you plan to use their bathroom.
TOUCHE’
Boston Resident: Your idea about an eatery is great. Outdoor tables would work and we could cross over to the Greenway with take-out food. Nothing fancy, or strictly Italian….just a place similar, in a way, to a deli. Maria’s Pastry is not good for that space. There is pastry all over the North End. Starbucks is much too expensive AND their tiny sandwiches are a waste of money.
Too bad the developer is not proposing a taller building with some apartments on the third to fourth floors. Incremental changes like those are necessary to alleviate our housing crisis.
Any residential units facing the greenway would command astronomical rents and not alleviate the affordable/moderate housing crisis in Boston.
Not at all. Where do you think people who could afford astronomical rents would go if those homes don’t get built?
The answer is that they’ll just outbid others who can’t afford astronomical rents on a different, “cheaper” apartment. Those others will then outbid still others who can’t afford the cheaper place, and on and on until displacement occurs.
https://www.bu.edu/today/2016/north-end-boston/
Very interesting. Thank you.
Liked the article.
Unfortunately the property owners sold out long ago.
It happens.
The rich tradition and heritage of the neighborhood will be exchanged for something akin to a mini Time Sq.
The Walmarts And Home Depots and Starbucks have and will continue to put small businesses in there rear view mirrors.
We live in a capitalist country.
We sacrifice our culture for our freedom.
Small businesses can only fight back by being better at what they do.
So Cafes of the North End.
Fight for every one of your customers
and make Starbucks another failed attempt by a franchise to establish themselves in this neighborhood.