Why Are There So Many Open Storefronts in North Reading?

After we ran an article this week about North Reading having the highest business vacancy rate in Massachusetts, we asked our readers on Facebook for the reasons why they think one in five retail spaces are vacant in town.

Here are the responses:

Noelle Rudloff wrote, “This is so sad. Reason number one I would imagine is no public sewer system. But much needs to be done in terms of community planning. I agree NR needs better retail and dining options to give residents the opportunity to dine and shop where they live. Starbucks, Joe Fish, and the new Teresa's are a step in the right direction. And here we have the CPB charging Starbucks $10,000 for the 'privilege' of doing business here!”

Randi DeLoreto wrote, “The rent on those places on 28 are way to high...especially for a small business just starting out. I priced them out when I started my business...that is why I am in Wilmington.”

Jeannie Hunter Vangelist wrote, “In my opinion, North Reading needs better shops and restaurants. If the town was known to have better retail venues, people would travel to North Reading to shop. Stop and Shop needs to be boycotted for leaving their building vacant and moving to where Shaw’s once was in order to keep Market Basket out of North Reading. This is not helping the town. There is not enough variety, for instance, how many pizza shops does one town need?...

“It would be great to have a Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Lululemon, some kind of nice bookstore would be great. How about some spas and gyms? Or some nice areas built off 28 that would be nice to hang out at?” she wrote.

Sue Samantha wrote, “Walmart. One stop shopping makes it hard for other retailers to compete.”

Sharon Brown McEntee wrote “I just opened a new business in North Reading in February of this year. I love this town - great location, great people!” 

What do you think? Why is North Reading’s retail vacancy rate so high? What could North Reading do to reduce empty storefronts?