How Many North Reading Businesses Have Closed Since 2010?
Find out how many businesses in town have closed or left town over the last two years.
Welcome to You Asked...Patch Answers where we answer readers questions. We recently received a question about the amount of businesses that have closed over the last couple of years. Patch readers want to know how many businesses in town have closed their doors.
How many businesses in town have closed or left town over the last couple of years? With the help of the Town Assessor, we put a together a list. Let us know in the comments section below if we left any out.
| Business | Address |
| Staples, Inc. | 23 Concord St. |
| Sheila Marie Imports | 35 Concord St. |
| FedEx Corporate Services, Inc. | 93 North St. |
| Saia Joseph Jr. | 61 Haverhill St. |
| Hughes Gregory CPA | 50 Main St. |
| Jupiter Electric Inc. | 126 Main St. |
| Secret Findings | 161 Main St. |
| Designing Kitchens | 246 Main St. |
| Carousel Cleaners | 265 Main St. |
| Smooth Essentials | 315 Main St. |
| AT&T Solutions | |
| Brisk Waterproofing | 3 Washington St. |
| Picadilly Pub | 60 Main St. |
| The Purple Plum | 217 Main St. |
| Kid to Kid | 20 Main St. |
| Curves | 90 Main St. |
| Rite Aid | 265 Main St. |
| Shaw's Market | 265 Main St. |
| Thunder Sportswear | 325 Main St. |
| A Change of Pace | 6 Washington St. |
| North Reading Hardware | 225 Main St. |
| Curio Salon | 161 Main St. |
Here is a list of businesses that have opened in the last year.
Kelly
6:48 am on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Curio hair salon, Bett's Beads, North Reading Hardware
Ashley Troutman
9:56 am on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Thank you! Where was Bett's Beads?
Barbara Bennett
7:49 am on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
You forgot North Reading Hardware! This school project going through is just going to make it even harder to live here.
John T
8:05 am on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
This list is long, but it might be nice to do a comparative story. How many business have opened in the same timeframe? Not as many as closed, but there are a few: Great American Tavern
Walgreen's (I think since 2010?)
Heav'nly Doughnuts
new VerizonWireless store
Boston North Limo...
more?
Roseanne D
9:05 am on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Verizons just moved . Walgreens opened in 2008 I think, and then there is Rite aid that closed as well, and the dry cleaner, either way more left this town or just closed then opened. Ya just need to drive down Main St. to see all the "for rents" places then businesses. And as a reward the new schools went thru, after proving they didnt take care of the ones they had.
John T
9:46 am on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Wow, in 2008? It doesn't seem like it has been that long.
Anyway, I agree -- too many closed, but I'm happy to see at least some new businesses in this rough economy.
As for the schools: count me in favor! We have to take the long view in this. I don't like the fact that my taxes will go up, but in comparison with the other towns, I think we're holding our own. I believe that the new schools combined with our already excellent students, teachers, test scores, etc. will make our town more desirable. I hope this will encourage people to buy some of the for sale properties in town, which in turn should drive new business.
tommy tannian
9:16 am on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Juipter Electric did not close they expanned and moved to a bigger building in Salsbury Ma.
Ted Cartwright
5:29 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Gone is gone !!!!
What, there are no bigger buildings in NR ???
Mel Webster
12:07 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Why not a story on the new businesses that have opened sinc 2008? I am sure there are many. As for the comment about the town not taking care of its schools, that could not be farther from the truth. The reason the high school and middle school are being replaced is because they are severely outdated and don't meet the needs of education in 2012 and beyond. As far as taking care of the schools, we will receive 2 percent additional reimbursement from the state as a result of how well these schools have been maintained. I wish people would do some research before spouting nonsense.
John T
1:03 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Thanks Mel! I completely agree. We need to create some positive press for North Reading! I really feel that the vote for the school is the beginning of a positive direction for the town.
Ashley Troutman
12:39 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Thank you all for the comments! I planned to write an article, in the near future, listing new businesses that have opened in town. Check in with us for that article!
DR
1:57 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Add Sears Hardware and Appliances to the list of closing businesses.
John Intorcio
3:20 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
What would REALLY be interesting would be some analysis of WHY these businesses closed or moved beyond just counting them. Is it the lack of sewers as some in town would argue? Is at the business tax rate - as tying in the school argument would imply? Is it the cost of land? Lack of available retail space? Poor highway access? What?
Joe O'Rourke
4:16 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
I believe retail business is being chased out of existence by internet sales, leaving the service industries left as one the only viable options. I voiced an opinion against the school vote not because I didnt want to update the systems, but that it would tie up our money for the much needed sewer system. We need to split our tax rate to generate tax revenue. To make that attractive to business we need a sewer system. Every restaurant on septic has a failure in months, not years.
Barry
5:24 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
To all you posters who are complaining about the school override in North Reading: tough beans. You lost. North Reading, and its future, won. If you don't like it, feel free to leave the town (if any of you really do live in NR.)
The override has nothing to do with why business have closed. Businesses are closing and opening all the time.
This article is total crap, like most everything else on the Patch, and is just an attempt to denegrate a fine town. How about writing about businesses that have opened in town?
Joe O'Rourke
6:37 am on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Barry,
I wonder why you don't post your last name? Could it be that you are a coward?
Brian B
5:45 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
You forgot a very important business. North Reading lost its very own Patch. We are the only town to have that honor.
So when we get our own Patch back? That is my question!
Lauren
8:59 am on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
How can you be the "only town to have that honor" if it is now the READING/North Reading site? I think you are one of two towns that have that honor.
Richard W. Kendall
8:32 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
We lost Ralphael's Cafe on Concord Street. It was by far the best breakfast place in town. Now we are left we over priced Center Cafe and donut/muffin shops. We need a breakfast shop with parking. I've been going to Christopher's in Reading for my breakfast option.
Sue S
11:09 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
You think that the Centre Cafe is overpriced, but you are Ok paying more at Christopher's? Interesting logic you are using there.
Richard W. Kendall
8:46 am on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Sue, I have held back my comments about multiple bad experiences NR residents and I have had at the Cafe so as to not offend your establishment. You really don't want me to start publicly and truthfully listing our reasons.
Dave Richards
7:10 pm on Friday, April 6, 2012
Hey Richard, you're entitled to your opinion. However, you should base your opinions on facts and not heresay. It's good that you have held back your comments because there's nothing truthful about them - they're, quite simply, your opinion.
FACT: The Centre Cafe is less expensive than Raphael's was (note the correct spelling of the restaurant name).
FACT: The Centre Cafe isn't the only place to get breakfast in town. I can think of at least two other places that don't fall under your donut/muffin shop heading.
FACT: Christopher's in Reading is more expensive than The Centre Cafe (see both establishment's online menus). For example, every single omelet on Christopher's menu is more expensive than The Centre Cafe. Christopher's Hungryman Special is $8.79. The Centre Cafe's Hungryman Special is $7.25, and, you get more food for less money.
FACT: Sue S isn't the owner of The Centre Cafe so how can you offend "her" establishment.
So, hey, go right ahead and continue to patronize Christopher's. I'm sure they serve great food and generous portions. I can't say for sure one way or another because I've never been there. But rather than slam them, which serves absolutely no purpose, I assume they're okay until proven otherwise by my personal visit. Perhaps you should try The Centre Cafe. Say hello to the owners. I'm sure they'd love to meet you.
And while you're at it, go ahead and list your reasons. They're probably not factual either.
E
11:31 pm on Sunday, April 8, 2012
My wife and I have been searching for a reliable breakfast joint within 7 miles of our North Reading home since moving here in 2007. We have given "the cafe" many chances and will no longer... based on the spotty service and often times accompanying GI distress. The drive and wait at Christopher's is the only alternative we have found although Aroma surprises from time to time.
Any suggestions?
Joe Veno
7:17 am on Monday, April 9, 2012
E, Try the Westside Family Restaurant on lowell St in Peabody. The breakfast is fantastic.
Joe Veno
7:22 am on Monday, April 9, 2012
Barry (No last name) Why do you read Patch if you think it is so bad?
Nikki
7:26 am on Monday, April 9, 2012
Joe, I've heard good things about a new breakfast place in Middleton but don't know the name. It's a bit north of the square on 114. Do you have any info on this?
Joe Veno
7:29 am on Monday, April 9, 2012
Nikki, No i have not heard about it yet. How far north on 114 is it.
Joe Veno
8:42 am on Monday, April 9, 2012
Nikki, Have you ever tried the Westside Family Restaurant in Peabody?
Nikki
11:51 am on Monday, April 9, 2012
Joe, I go to Westside quite often...pretty decent eggs benedict and omelets. Don't care for their homefries, though.
Not sure how far out of the square the Middleton one is. Was there a place called the Real McCoy? I just remembered that name, so either that is it or else it is where the Real McCoy used to be. Does that help? I'm anxious to try it because I've heard all good things.
Jamie B
10:04 am on Monday, April 9, 2012
The Thomson Country Club is open to the public for Sunday Brunch. The Hillview Country Club offers breakfast every day.
Joe Veno
2:49 pm on Monday, April 9, 2012
Nikki, I did some searching and I found it but it is now called Joesphs Grill I beleive. It is at 107 N. Main St. about a mile north of the center. I will try it and let you know how it is..
Joe
Nikki
4:31 pm on Monday, April 9, 2012
Good detective work! I will wait for your review before trying it. Thanks, Joe.
And, Joe and E., I don't think there's been a good breakfast place in NR since Brother's left. Gee, I miss that place!
E
4:08 pm on Monday, April 9, 2012
Joe and Nikki,
We have been to the Westside once or twice and enjoyed the food. It is similar to Christophers in my opinion and can get just as busy. FYI....6 miles to Christophers and 8 miles to Westside. This is the reason we gave "the cafe" so many chances. I'm very lazy on weekend mornings.
It would be nice for a new breakfast joint to pop up on Main St, and even nicer if the folks in NR would allow the owners to obtain a simple beer and wine license.
In my opinion...."the cafe" got boned by a couple of NIMBY local yocals during their permit request. The town should have done a better job standing up for business interests during their appeals. This action probably set a precedent that future owners will consider when choosing a potential location for their restaurants.
This was the original jist to this thread.
Regards,
E
mike dee
4:47 pm on Monday, April 9, 2012
Irish Cottage off 93 (exit 46) in methuen has great breakfast along with christophers in Reading. Price isn't really a huge issue, as when I go out to eat for breakfast I'm more concerned with the quality/value/experience than price. If your looking for a place to eat breakfast on price alone, you'll typically always end up disappointed IMO.
Bring back the Pewter Pot!
Nikki
6:18 pm on Monday, April 9, 2012
Mike, you're right about Christopher's...I didn't mean to ignore them...everything is good there, and the wait is not bad since they expanded. LOL about Pewter Pot! Do you remember Rita, who worked there? She just recently passed away. What a great lady she was.