The Neighborhood Storefronts project

In Progress
Written By Dani MacGregor

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

Supporting documents:

Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Strategic Plan:

In the 2023 CRA Strategic Plan, CRA staff, with the input from community stakeholders, centered a goal of Catalyzing Economic Opportunity through Space, Infrastructure, and Programming.  A strategy of the economic goals for the future were to acquire ground-floor condo or enter into master lease agreements for the purpose of establishing a network of spaces that cultivate and support locally owned businesses.

Envision Cambridge:

A citywide wide participatory planning effort from 2016 - 2019 that developed a comprehensive plan for Cambridge’s future. Set a goal of preserving and enhancing the distinctive character of Cambridge's commercial districts through incentivizing the creation of affordable commercial space and providing opportunities for inclusive entrepreneurship and independent businesses.

Our Cambridge Street (2021)

A neighborhood specific planning study centered around Cambridge St., between Inman Square and Lechmere Station. The plan highlighted the need for the City of Cambridge to work to maintain a supply of affordable commercial spaces for local diverse business through shared control of a small network of storefront rentals through a master lease model

Wellington Harrington Action Plan (2023)

A one year planning process to understand Wellington-Harrington neighborhood priorities and identify project/policies to improve day to day life. The plan set goals of supporting a thriving local business community through studying a model creating inclusionary commercial spaces, which would require that market rate developments include a certain amount of space for affordable commercial tenants.

 

This Project In the News

EVENTS

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 Check out our upcoming and past events for this project below.

Past Events

UPDATES

  • 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.  

  • On January 27,2025 the CRA acquired 4,500 square feet of ground floor space and 2,100 square feet of basement space at 1175 Cambridge Street to be the first location for the CRA’s Neighborhood Storefronts Project. Over the next year, the CRA plans to convert the ground floor space into a series of in-line storefronts for locally owned independent retail businesses. 

    On September 24, 2024 the CRA had the opportunity to share information and get ideas about the CRA’s Neighborhood Storefronts Project at the East Cambridge Business Alliance’s Smoke This Rib Festival. Over the course of the festival, CRA staff were able to converse with community members around what makes Cambridge Street special to locals and visitors, types of new establishments that would be well suited for the corridor, and how retail establishments can have a greater community connection. 

  • In the Fall and Winter of 2024, CRA staff met with small retail business owners to understand the needs and challenges these entrepreneurs face in leasing, fitting out, and successfully operating their independent retail businesses in Cambridge. In total, CRA staff spoke with 28 small business owners, entrepreneurs, and non-profit leaders working in the small business space.  For more information and a link to our findings click here. 

    We spoke with:

    • 28 small business owners, entrepreneurs, and non-profit leaders

    • People with a range of experiences with brick-and -mortar retail space

      • 18 presently operating in a brick-and-mortar space

      • 4 previously leased/owned a brick- and-mortar location

      • 6 had exclusive experience as pop-up/craft vendor

    • Businesses providing a variety of products and services 

    • People with a broad range in age of current businesses and past business experience

     

    What we heard: 

    • Many landlords are reluctant to lease to small and independently owned retail businesses;

    • Available retail spaces are often too large and come with associated rents that are too high for small businesses;

    • Many retail space spaces are offered in an unfinished condition requiring large capital investment;

    • Many small business owners lack the experience and resources resources to effectively negotiate with landlords; and

    • Many small business owners feel they don’t have the time or awareness of potential resources to secure technical assistance

    • Small business are looking smaller retail units to conduct their business

    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.

Dani MacGregor

Web + Graphic Designer with 10+ years of non-profit and creative experience. I have a soft spot for pretty much every cause and charity. I admire all non-profits for their work in every issue and value their contribution in making the world a better place.

Through her blog “Thistle While You Work” this seasoned charity professional shares in-depth knowledge, skills and tricks to open your donors hearts and pockets. She has worked with every type of charity - religious, children, educational, medical, animal, conservation and human rights. Plus she has made over 70+ websites for non profits, thought leaders, authors and even the famously fun Hard Rock.

https://www.thecharitydesign.co
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