2021 Real Estate Observations (Boston, Springfield, Everett: donate, corporate, grocery stores)

[AtkinsonDan]

Originally Posted by robr2

Shaw's is in the middle of town and the 3 nearest Market Baskets are 2-3 miles away. They are convenient for me to stop at to pick up a couple of things but they are expensive. The store is never busy yet they manage to be profitable enough to stay open.

I'm waiting for that store to close and for Market Basket to take them over. Since it's on 3A, they need one to the replace one of the 3 on 3A in Billerica that closed recently.

I haven't set foot in a Market Basket in a long time mainly because I have become addicted to self checkout. I dislike having to stand in long checkout lines now. If I recall correctly, Market Basket was a straggler in accepting credit cards for payment. I suspect other chains will implement a full-cart-all-at-once scanning and payment system before Market Basket makes any move towards any kind of self checkout system.

[matrix5k]

Originally Posted by robr2

The town will never let a Whole Foods into the "Shoppes at Simonds." When it was built, it was approved on the premise that only local, small, independent businesses would move in. Right now there's a bank, a daycare, a vet, a martial arts studio, and a orthodontist.

There's a Whole Foods 4 miles down on 3A in Winchester.

4 miles on 3A is like 20 minutes. Whole Foods in the Shaw's location would be perfect.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by AtkinsonDan

I haven't set foot in a Market Basket in a long time mainly because I have become addicted to self checkout. I dislike having to stand in long checkout lines now. If I recall correctly, Market Basket was a straggler in accepting credit cards for payment. I suspect other chains will implement a full-cart-all-at-once scanning and payment system before Market Basket makes any move towards any kind of self checkout system.

As one who refuses to use the self checkout, I'm the opposite. I think it's awesome how they keep so many registers open, and it's rare I would ever have to wait long (unlike anti-worker S&S, Walmart, BJ's, etc. where they do everything in their power to discourage you from going to a manned register). Too bad there isn't a MB closer to me, south of Boston is kind of a (good) supermarket desert.

[matrix5k]

Originally Posted by massnative71

As one who refuses to use the self checkout, I'm the opposite. I think it's awesome how they keep so many registers open, and it's rare I would ever have to wait long (unlike anti-worker S&S, Walmart, BJ's, etc. where they do everything in their power to discourage you from going to a manned register). Too bad there isn't a MB closer to me, south of Boston is kind of a (good) supermarket desert.

I agree, Market Basket is the last grocery store to have dedicated baggers which makes the lines much faster. I loathe going to stores like Walmart and Target now. Even Wegmans is getting annoying, they charge 5 cents per paper bag now - how cheap can you get?

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by matrix5k

I agree, Market Basket is the last grocery store to have dedicated baggers which makes the lines much faster. I loathe going to stores like Walmart and Target now. Even Wegmans is getting annoying, they charge 5 cents per paper bag now - how cheap can you get?

Yes it's like even if they charged a bit more, for that reason I can say they earned my business. But they typically charge less (though less of a bargain than before).

[AtkinsonDan]

Originally Posted by massnative71

As one who refuses to use the self checkout, I'm the opposite. I think it's awesome how they keep so many registers open, and it's rare I would ever have to wait long (unlike anti-worker S&S, Walmart, BJ's, etc. where they do everything in their power to discourage you from going to a manned register). Too bad there isn't a MB closer to me, south of Boston is kind of a (good) supermarket desert.

I just prefer self service. For most things it is actually quicker and easier once the process is learned and a routine is established.

Is the transition from traditional checkout to self-checkout really much different than the transition from bank teller to ATM machine?

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by matrix5k

4 miles on 3A is like 20 minutes. Whole Foods in the Shaw's location would be perfect.

So 20 minutes to be smug that you’re driving a PHEV?

[simplexsimon]

Originally Posted by jayrandom

To counter this, they put an Amazon warehouse very close to me and right across the town line in Norwood. It's possible valuations have taken a hit, but the house that is literally the next one up the street just sold in under two weeks. It was a corner lot on two (relatively) busy streets, so it was my "if this house sells quickly, I'll know things are still crazy" test house.

Probably easier to compare an Amazon warehouse to what is already in the area when adjusting for impact. The Amazon center is busier than the liquor warehouse that was there before, but there are similar numbers of large trucks, so it's probably more of a wash. I'm sure if they replace something desirable with a warehouse it's a loss, but if they replace a stockyard it's probably going to increase values.

One time an Amazon worker set up a tent in the woods right on the property/town line. The property owner called Westwood police to investigate. Eventually the person went away and there haven't been any more tents set up.

[aboucher33]

My wife and I were just beat out by out of state investors on a 1,200 SF ranch this weekend. They did all cash. Young couple like us can't compete with that. Really frustrating.

[jayrandom]

Originally Posted by simplexsimon

One time an Amazon worker set up a tent in the woods right on the property/town line. The property owner called Westwood police to investigate. Eventually the person went away and there haven't been any more tents set up.

I hadn't heard about that. I take Everett St. past the Amazon site nearly every day (kids have lots of activities in Norwood/Walpole area) and I haven't noticed a significant increase in traffic. The UPS distribution facility creates more traffic from what I can tell. I know a few people who live right up against the facility and the noise isn't great, but it's not the end of the world, either.

And for a few months the state police were camped out on Canton/Everett streets pulling over commercial vehicles illegally using those streets. Saw at least two 18 wheelers get pulled over. It's been a while since the police stopped, but I think the commercial drivers got the message.