North End's Battle Over Starbucks

NORTH END, MA — Everyone knows the North End is a unique part of a city and has resisted development from most chains. Yes, there's a 7-11 and a CVS and a bank and a Peets, but overall, the North End has retained its independent local focused charm all these years as symbols of corporate America spring up everywhere else.

And residents and local business owners want to keep it that way as much as possible.

Back in 2016, a plan to redevelop the gateway to the North End drew heavy criticism for the architecture being out of sync with the rest of the neighborhood. Now that the developer has added a Starbucks to the mix, folks aren't exactly happy about it.

A group of citizens are rallying against the Starbucks proposal on Hanover Street and have put together a petition saying it would spoil the feel of the North End and hurt business at local North End coffee spots. They also argue that with more than 10 Starbucks spots within half a mile of the proposed location, there's no need for one there.

From the petition:

“The North End is one the few surviving “Little Italy’s” in the United States, known for it’s authentic array of independently held community businesses. It is home to some of the best Italian cafes, delis, restaurants and pastry shops in the country, all of which help form the rich cultural fabric that makes this neighborhood so special. We believe the proposed project and location will negatively impact the neighborhoods many locally owned family businesses, while severely eroding the history, culture and aesthetic of an area that attracts so many visitors each year."

The group has created a Facebook Group with nearly 600 people in it. Some 870 people have signed the petition as of Wednesday morning. They've taken out advertisements in the local paper and are asking folks to show up to meetings in the next couple of weeks to make it known to government officials what they think.

Charter Realty, on the other hand, argues that the gateway needs a little sprucing up.

"Currently, the building at the front of the gateway to the North End is not representative of the culture and charm found within the historic community," they write on their own petition.

The developer explains the plan is to include an Italian heritage monument a Freedom Trail kiosk and redesign the public space closed to cars to enhance pedestrian connections and add outdoor dining and gathering areas. The space will be home to the Citizens Bank, the Starbucks and another business the developer says hopes will be local.

It's unclear how many people have signed onto that petition, but the developer also has a Facebook group called “North End Piazza on the Greenway," which has 63 people in the group.

Lynn filmmaker Rocco Capano put together a video that captures much of the feeling in the North End from business owners and locals.

“People are coming into here for a reason — not to go to a Starbucks or a McDonald’s,” said Angelo Papa, the owner of Mike’s Pastry.

Next Steps:

Three community meetings are scheduled in the next few weeks where the project will be presented and open for public comments at the Nazzaro Community Center, which is at 30 N. Bennet Street.

June 28, 6 p.m. – Abutters Meeting by Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services
July 9, 7 p.m. – North End / Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC)
July 12, 7 p.m. – North End / Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA)

Photo of Peets Coffee in the North End by Jenna Fisher/Patch staff