Empty Storefronts on Massachusetts Avenue: The Concerns of Local Business Owners Amid Flat Sales and Increasing Costs

On Tuesday, students at Berklee College of Music in Boston were met with empty storefronts along Massachusetts Avenue as they enjoyed the weather. The closures of small businesses in the area have been on the rise, and Austin Chen, who has run Berklee Noodles Factory with his family for seven years, expressed deep concern over these closures.

One of the leading factors behind these closures is the flat to declining sales paired with increasing costs, according to Jon Hurst, president of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts. High rent prices, inflation, insurance costs, and remote work are among the key factors impacting these mom-and-pop shops. For example, Guitar Center had to shut down despite being frequented by musicians like Cyrus Hayes, a senior at Berklee College of Music.

To support struggling small businesses in Boston, the City has implemented a Space Grant Program that offers grants up to $200,000 for rent payments and improvements to help businesses stay afloat. Despite the challenges faced by local businesses during the pandemic, business strategy director Alia Hamanda Forrest remains optimistic about filling vacant storefronts caused by COVID-19. Meanwhile, Chen urges customers to visit his establishment for a bowl of ramen and support local businesses like his.

Chen emphasized that small businesses operate on thin profit margins and that current inflation rates have only made things worse. He encouraged individuals in the Boston area to visit their establishment for a bowl of ramen as every customer visit helps sustain their business during challenging times.