Civic League moving out
December 17th, 2008
I have to say I am pretty sick of things leaving downtown. It started with Ebenezer’s going out and has been on a downward spiral since then: Daisy’s consignment shop, the one Thai restaurant in town, Friendly’s, the Farmer’s Exchange and of course Fabric Place. Now the Civic League is going to close at the end of the month.
Believe me, I want to be optimistic about downtown because I own a home here but sometimes it’s hard when the things you lake are dropping like flies. It was so great to have a place nearby that would have everything from artist lectures to Japanese-Mexican wrestling.
The one good thing is that is will not become the the 30-somethingth church (I’m not joking, look in the yellow pages)  in downtown, but will become part of Mass Bay Community College’s facilities and I think they will do a decent job at up-keeping and usefully occupying the space.
The Civic League will continue to exist as an organization, just not in this space.
I was very sad to read in the MWDN about the CIvic League moving out of the Concord Street property. As sad as that is, I do believe Mass Bay is a great buyer for that property, and I’m glad the CIvic League will continue to exist as an organization. Although I pastor a church located in Framingham’s downtown - right behind the Chicken Bone! - and I have no problem with churches locating in downtown areas, I agree that downtown Framingham IS overwhelmed with churches to the “saturation point” as some folks might say! This may shock some folks, but I also was glad that the Civic League property will not become a church building.
Comment by Rev. Bob Baril — December 18, 2008 @ 8:32 am
Yeah, it’s a bummer about the Civic League - I especially enjoyed the theatre productions they had there. But at least it’s not going to sit vacant. College classrooms downtown will add to the vibrancy of the area hopefully.
Speaking of closings, what happened to Brazzille on Hollis Street? It’s been dark for a while now.
That was one of the brightest spots on the downtown dining scene, and a cool place to hang out even for just a drink and the music. With the opening of Amazing Things across the street the future was looking pretty good for that end of downtown.
But how about the positive aspects of downtown? With Amazing Things, the Chicken Bone, the Happy Swallow, and Bruburger’s, all within walking distance of each other, it’s the live music capital of MetroWest.
Comment by Brett — December 19, 2008 @ 12:14 pm
Yes, I read about the news of Civic League closing. NOOOOOOOOOO…One more great institutions leaving downtown. Damn, I was planning to have my daughter’s first Bday there. I thoguht it was a great place and something that I can support , an effort to invest in downtown.
I am so sad to that evertday there are businesses elaving the downtown, restraunts closing down .
I hope and wish that this beautiful area gets revitalized…I wish to see hustling, bustling activities in and around downtowntown where people will spend money to dine in, residents will will bring their families and kids can walk without fear of getting shot or muggedt at …
Comment by EthnicFoodLover — December 22, 2008 @ 4:47 pm