Cambridge trying to tackle growing number of vacant storefronts
By the close of 2024 there were 109 store vacancies across Cambridge with the city saying dozens more have been dark for half of a decade. Now the city council is trying to find ways to fix the issue, but they are finding themselves a bit hamstrung.
On March 11, the city council held a meeting to discuss concerns about the storefronts. As a municipality, they cannot tax owners for keeping vacancies, however, the council began drafting an ordinance to ensure vacant property owners keep clean conditions, place paper or art in the windows, and register vacant property with the city.
Vacancies in Central Square
There are 19 vacancies alone in Central Square. Soon, Hilton's Tent City will make 20. The outdoor store will soon close.
Lavita Cannon says the store has let her and her band Earthbound Children play live music outside of their store for the past five years.
"It breaks my heart because they stayed open and a lot of businesses folded during the pandemic," said Cannon. "On the way corner over there, Lola's used to be a little dress shop. I bought a few dresses out of there, and they closed."
Some spots have been closed for a while, with 23 spaces in the city vacant for more than five years, and another 27 from two to five years.
"It costs a lot to do anything nowadays. It's like the people renting out of these places, they want more money," said Thomas, an employee at Cheapo Records in Central Square. "More people in the square means more people maybe coming here, so more businesses always means more money."
