One of the many benefits of living in a "college town" is the youthful demographic is a prime target for national franchises to set up shop. Great for consumers of all ages, but not so great for local mom and pops trying to survive in the same zip code.
Take nearby Hadley for instance, a town smart enough to allow commercial development all along busy Rt. 9 even before the University of Massachusetts became such an overpowering presence.
A decade ago Chili's set up shop almost on the Amherst/Hadley border and it did not take long for Applebee's to come a calling directly across the busy street. Just as a generation ago McDonald's and Burger King opened for business even before the busy Hampshire Mall was constructed.
Now withing a burger throw of both we have a Chipotle that opened recently and soon enough a "Moe's". Our little corner of the Happy Valley is becoming all Mexican all of the time.
Which may not be a welcome development for local Amherst restaurants serving southwest cuisine: Bueno Y Sano and La Veracruzana in the downtown and The Mission Cantina and El Comalito in South Amherst.
October 27, 2013
Because mom and pops are nothing if not resilient.