Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Downtown Turnover

Insomnia Cookies coming soon to 30 Main Street

When the former prime location of Alden Credit Union, which lasted less than two years, is replaced by a cookie delivery business you know you're in a "college town." 

 11 Amity Street, former First National Bank

Last summer TD Bank abandoned the ornate former First National Bank building in the heart of the downtown and thus far the luxurious location is still unoccupied.  As is All Things Local just down the street and soon to be shuttered The Mercantile next door.



All three locations are owned by Barry Roberts so there's little doubt they will be occupied soon enough.

And since Mr. Roberts understands the value of having the right mix of businesses, chances are none of the three will become a pizza place or bar.

 Just across the street from Insomnia Cookies

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Plus the spot that last held Art Alive is empty and we can likely assume Metacomet Cafe is all but done considering that place has never reopened and is a time capsule frozen in time from the good old days of September 2015.

And Barts apparently changed names to Amherst Ice Cream with a new sign on the door saying they will only be open from mid-March until mid-November.

Anonymous said...

To say nothing of "Share" coffee shop that used to be Rao's.

Anonymous said...

Mom's Noodle is gone, and White Hut gone in April

Anonymous said...

Business rental prices are sky high in Amherst. Nobody wants to start a business there any more

Anonymous said...

Is White Hut really leaving?!

Max Hartshorne said...

Is Rao's no longer the happening scene it used to be? Hey not only is Amherst full of retail blank zones, take a look at Northampton, at least 6-7 vacant stores and former restaurants on Main St. Times are tough.

Anonymous said...

All crap establishments. Some think just because you have a restaurant in a college town, that you will do well. In this town, most students don't even eat in the town so you're not always getting your bang for your buck. Then there is the other issue of food quality. White Hut burgers are just okay. And then you have the wonderful layout of Amherst that is a patchwork of years gone by, plus alleyways where ugly restaurants are hidden, and the lack of places to park of course.

Anonymous said...

Times are tough? But Obama says unemployment is under 5%. And he says the economy is doing great. I don't get it. He "saved the country." It makes no sense at all.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, and global warming? HELLO? It's snowing out right now! Nothing they say makes sense.

Anonymous said...

Things are looking pretty damn good compared to when Obama took office. Of course if one doesn't adapt to the new economy and clings to guns and religion it's easy to get left behind like Neanderthal. Google "Darwin".

Anonymous said...

So let's do the tally:
Closed or closing soon downtown within the past the few months
- Mom's Dumpling
- Art Alive
- Metacomet Cafe
- White Hut
- Alden Credit Union
- Mercantile
- All Things Local
- Bank North
- The convenience Store upstairs next to High Horse
- The entire Carriage Shops
- Food for Thought Books

Renamed/Branded/Moved
- Rao's to Share Coffee
- Barts to Amherst Ice Cream
- Moti to Moti Wine & Kabob House

Anonymous said...

"Happening scene?" What is this? 1966?

Anonymous said...

It's called weather.

Anonymous said...

I can't believe it. "Bitter Clingers." He actually said that. Can't wait for the lefties to be ushered out. And please... don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out.
-a bitter clinger

Anonymous said...

Great economy. Thanks Obummer.

Anonymous said...

I'll take guns and religion, the Constitution and liberty Any day.

Dr Ed said...

1936, not 1966.

AND ADD ABC TO THE LIST....

Higher ED is imploding....

Anonymous said...

The quality and proximity of food available on the UMass campus has siphoned off a modest portion of business from Amherst Center. Add high rent and tightening belts and you have a problem.

Dr. Ed said...

ABC did not cater to undergrads...

Anonymous said...

Dr. Ed is imploding.