The NEIGHBORHOOD STOREFRONTS project
Upcoming Events
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Join the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority at 1175 Cambridge Street during Inman Eats & Crafts on Sunday, May 18, 2025, from 12:00–4:00 PM.
The event this coming Sunday is the kick-off in a series of community-based activities to engage neighbors and Cambridge residents in envisioning what could be possible for small businesses in this neighborhood storefront location.
Enjoy free face painting by Arty Mari, an East Cambridge story station with History Cambridge, seed sharing, The Banners Project community sewing circle with Cambridge Wildlife Art - a project of Green Cambridge, and refreshments. Share your ideas for what kinds of businesses you'd like to see in this space and help shape the future of Inman Square!
This spring and summer, the CRA will be partnering with Nicola Williams and the Williams Agency to curate a series of activation and engagement events at the CRA’s newly acquired space at 1175 Cambridge Street in Inman Square. These events will provide activities for all while providing an opportunity to provide feedback for the future retail uses, design, and accessibility for the future development of 1175 Cambridge Street as the first retail space to be developed as part of the CRA’s Neighborhood Storefronts Project.
Want to offer a community activity, participate as an artist or volunteer? Complete this Community Engagement Application- https://forms.gle/qpiFWx3JGctmxdgp9
Give Community Feedback for 1175 Cambridge Street here
For more information contact: jcroom@cambridgeredevelopment.org
Project sight:1175 Cambridge Street
Project Context and Goals
Small retail businesses face many challenges in achieving long-term success. Common issues include a lack of access to capital, a lack of business support resources, and a constantly evolving retail landscape. In Cambridge, the lack of affordable retail space is an especially significant barrier for small enterprises.
An initiative of its Strategic Plan, the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority’s Neighborhood Storefronts Project aims to support small businesses and entrepreneurs through the provision of affordable space. In developing a new model for affordable retail space, the initiative’s goals are to:
Locate and acquire ground-floor spaces in Cambridge to create a network of affordable retail spaces with access to business support services
Support the long-term success of Cambridge small businesses, with an emphasis on those owned and operated by BIPOC, women, and immigrant groups
Relevant Documents
Addressing the Need for Affordable Ground-Floor Space: In 2023, CRA staff presented research detailing potential models for creating affordable commercial space in Cambridge. The CRA focused on approaches to long-term community wealth building through affordable retail and commercial space. This included assessing different models that aim to prevent the displacement of small businesses and entrepreneurs from communities across the US.
Contact Information
For questions about The Neighborhood Storefronts Project, please contact:
Joshua Croom, Project Planner: jcroom@cambridgeredevelopment.org