(1/3/07) Here’s a status update on some local business openings, closings and relocations.
Amherst Grocery Store owner Mohamed Nagooradumai stands near the coffee counter in his soon-to-open business.
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Grocery opening soon: Coolers are full of soda and many shelves are stocked with chutneys, spices and pickles. More products continue to arrive as the final interior work nears completion at Amherst Grocery Store at 319 Main Street. Owner Mohamed Nagooradumai intends to open by January 15th, sooner if possible. “We are 80% done,” said Nagooradumai, explaining that the holidays delayed a permit and some work by his contractor, putting him a couple of weeks behind schedule. He bills the store as “East meets West – American and Indian” and says he will offer grocery necessities in nearly every category, as well as candy, coffee and other convenience items.
Same store, new location: Valley Books has completed its move from the Zanna block to the rear of the Hair by Harlow building across the street. Owner Larry Pruner hopes to open for business there at noon, Friday, January 5th, with a Grand Opening Celebration to follow a week later. So how did it go, moving those 35,000 or so books? “It was incredibly difficult,” said Pruner. “All my best friends put in long hours helping, and that made it possible.” He has created a pleasant maze of bookshelves, lining the walls, jutting out in little alcoves and cleverly working around several support columns. A benefit of the new space is that all the inventory is now on one floor.
SouperBowl will relocate to this larger space, probably in March.
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Super-sized SouperBowl: The sign says “Coming in January 2007,” but SouperBowl owner John Sobieski says their move to the space formerly occupied by For the Record is most likely to happen in March. He said the renovation still has “a long ways to go,” but when complete, the new restaurant will be four to five times its current size, and will offer an expanded menu with a wider selection of soups, chili, stews and chowders available each day, as well as more sandwich wraps and panini. Other features to look forward to in the new space: a beer and wine bar, and fish & chips on Fridays.
No new news at the bank: The Bank of America branch destroyed by fire in late August continues to do business from a temporary structure set up at the end of September. When asked about more permanent plans for the site at the corner of Triangle and East Pleasant Streets, Bank of America spokesperson Tara Burke said, “We’re still evaluating our options. Nothing has changed.”
Sort of open, but available: Fatzo’s has a prominent “for lease” sign in the window, and has been closed recently at lunch time. An employee at Bucci next door thought the 50’s-themed hamburger place had closed permanently, but a representative from landlord Lincoln Real Estate said the business keeps erratic hours, but is still operating. She confirmed that the space is indeed available for a new tenant, so Fatzo’s days are numbered if they’re not already finished.
The Art of Basketball didn't last long in this space behind Starbucks.
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Not enough net: Perhaps it was too high-concept. Or maybe it was because it didn’t seem to be open very much. Whatever the reason, The Art of Basketball has closed up shop, after two months in business. Last week there were still holiday decorations visible inside. This week, the sign out front is gone, and the space is empty.
-- Stephanie O’Keeffe
