So when we bought our townhouse almost 4 years ago, there was not a whole lot of stuff around except for car dealerships and taco joints. Since then, it seems like half the car dealerships have closed, and a wonderful upscale Mexican restaurant that rivals Rick Bayless’ Topolobampo called Sol De Mexico has opened up around the corner. There have also been two places on Belmont Ave that have been converted into lofts, so we knew that it wouldn’t be long before the final sign of gentrification would appear like a great white whale delivering $5 lattes to the masses. Yesterday we passed by the Shoemaker lofts which is being developed by the developer of our townhouse inside the old Florsheim Shoe Factory. Next door to the lofts, they are developing a retail space, and we saw the familiar green mermaid on a coming soon banner hanging from the facade. I’ll still buy my coffee from Dunkin Donuts, though.
On the sadder side, our favorite hot dog stand, Sammy’s Express, closed and part of the land was turned into a Dunkin Donuts. Jimmy’s Hot Dogs also closed, and it was only a block from where we live.