According to a comment on a previous post, Judith says she learned that our shiny star of downtown, Fabric Place, will close it’s doors for good on December 31st. I can’t even begin to say how dissapointed/devestated I am by this as a quilter and a resident of downtown. Just what we don’t need, a great business in a large building closing up shop. This is a dark day for Framingham.
I shall miss ye Fabric Place!
I was reading an article in the MWDN about how a non-profit opened a home for Autistic people in Marlborough and there is mixed reaction about it.
A quote from a neighbor of the new house stood out to me:
“”I’ve read their (the non-profit’s) mission statement and they want to be the next SMOC. I worked in Framingham and I don’t want to see this town turn into the next Framingham.”
Here is the article if anyone is interested: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x478787558/
New-Marlborough-group-home-opens-to-mixed-reactions
Riding my bike by the (now open) Old Station Steak House, I decided to stop in and asked to look at a menu to see what it was like.
The girl at the host stand said they just have a buffet, no menu, so I asked if I could look and although I’m not an expert in the cuisine, it seemed to be similar to Brazilian buffet items I have seen in the past.
Nothing against Brazilian food, and the girl at the host stand was very nice but I was looking forward to something we don’t already have several of downtown already. I will eventually come here to review but just thought people may want to know before they go down thinking they can order a steak.
What’s better than a downtown with a train running through the middle of a main route?
A downtown with TWO trains running across two main routes!
I don’t know when but I know someday there will be a solution to downtown’s infamous Rt.126/Rt.135 traffic problem. There is a Framingam Railroad Task Force that is working on a solution to this problem, I’m not sure what their most recent ideas are but last I heard it’s still undecided which option is more (or less) realistic, making the train tracks go under the streets or the streets go under the tracks. Maybe neither will happen but I know the Public Works Department is working on at least synchronizing the traffic lights. It’s a good start.
As I do sometimes, I’ll be browsing on Ebay and do a search for Framingham to see if there is anything interesting. I found a couple of things but I have to day this was an image that I actually thought “Woah” when I saw it.
All the info on the listing for this postcard is just that it was of a place called Philbrooke’s Steakhouse, Framingham MA, from the 60’s. I would guess it was on route 9 but I guess it could have been be anywhere.
I find the photo interesting because, of course, the shape of the building but also it makes me curious about the management. I think it’s kind of funny how they chose this somewhat unflattering angle, exposing the basement door and utility pole almost in the middle of the picture. Also noted is the unappealing wall of dirty snow in the foreground. It’s an interesting composition and makes me wonder why they didn’t take a straight-on photo of the front door. Was there something even uglier directly behind the steakhouse? Or maybe Ken’s was in the background? Was there a reason why they didn’t wait until spring or pay someone to get rid of the blackened snow for this photoshoot?
Anyway, if anyone ever ate or worked at this place, I’m curious to hear what the inside and overall experience was like at Philbrooke’s Steakhouse.
Before I start this post I’d like to say:
A) I’m sorry about the length of time between posts. I personally, like to read blogs that are updated more often as well. I’ve been busy in other ‘hams like Bellingham and Waltham and haven’t had time to investigate much but hopefully things will slow down and I’ll get some decent posts.
B) Since it has been known to happen that occasionaly readers misunderstand me, I’d like to say that the following post is in no way states that I don’t think people should practice religion or that going to church or synagogue or a mosque or temple of any sort is a bad thing. That’s great people get something spiritual out of going to church and feeling a sense of community.
I’m posting about how I’ve noticed some religious organizations that occupy prime foot traffic, storefront spaces downtown.
Used to be Clough’s Pharmacy
Next to the Salvation Army thift shop
Used to be Friendly’s, now a Mosque (I still mourn the walkable distance to a Fribble!)
Personally, I’d like to see retail stores or reaturants on the ground levels. I know downtown has other problems and some people will say “Hey, it’s better than that space being abandoned”. Which may be true, but when I walk down Moody St. in Waltham, there are so many small business, from grocers, to bookstores to restaurants to little giftie type shops. There aren’t any churches, people don’t say “Oh Moody St. is great, there’s a church at every corner!”
Just something I’ve noticed when I walk around downtown, looking for something else to go to besides the few usual places I go.
I was also curious about how many places of worship are in the downtown area and counted 30. Again, I’m not saying people shouldn’t have the right to pick their flavor of church or temple or whatever, that’s great, but I was surprised that there is a need/demand for 30 churches in a 1 mile radius. I also wonder what the effect of so many churches on the town’s economy is being that they are tax exempt. Maybe it’s not much if most of them are in rented space, I don’t know.
(This is the only photo I have on file having to do with SMOC)
I don’t usually get into anything too political because it’s not the mission of this blog, but I felt I had to post about SMOC suing Framingham officials and even residents for expressing their opinions. I’m…speechless.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/10/25/antipoverty_group_sues_framingham_over_rights/