As Thayer Street copes with the recent departures of several perceived mainstays, incoming storeowners say more than the district's physical appearance has changed. According to these new owners, College Hill's dynamic - previously dominated by independent retailers - is becoming more commercial as businesses are forced to compete with a growing number of chain stores and restaurants.
"Originality is being watered down. Ten years ago it used to be a lot more funkier," said Al Read, co-owner of The Nice Slice, a new eatery expected to open next to Kabob-N-Curry in the coming year. Read said he laments the change.
Rob Murphy, Read's business partner, said he agrees that the street's unique elements are being compromised.
Murphy is the current owner of Rockstar Piercing. He also used to own Lunasea, a boutique that sold clothing, snowboards and skateboards.
Since he closed Lunasea, Murphy said he has been working on renovating the space for The Nice Slice.
Murphy said he envisions The Nice Slice as a place where customers can choose from an offering of pizza, salads and calzones while enjoying the work of local artists who will contribute to the eatery's décor.
Murphy said he believes the transition from retail to food is a more marketable strategy.
"Pizza and hot dogs do real well," he said. "The mall has put a huge dent in the retail (market). If the Gap can't even survive, that tells you something," he said, referring to the retail chain's closure in December.
"This is becoming more of a food court," Read said.
But Read added that simply serving food is not a foolproof business strategy, citing as an example the closure of Pizza Grille after only three months of operation.
The low quality of Pizza Grille's product may have led to its failure, Read said.
He also attributed Pizza Grille's closure to a weak relationship between managers and its desired customer base.
The staff "didn't really relate to people around here," Read said. "They weren't connected. They thought they could set up a food tent next to a bunch of students and they will buy it."
Maria Romano, co-owner of Therapy Beauty Bar at the corner of Thayer and Cushing streets, offered similar reasons for Pizza Grille's closure. Though Pizza Grille had "great" marketing, she said, it did not fit in with Thayer Street's culture and lacked a "superior" product.
Stores should accommodate the needs of their customers, she said. For this reason, she said Therapy Beauty Bar's schedule is suited to the lifestyle habits of its young clientele, opening no earlier than 11 a.m.
Romano said College Hill's audience - comprised primarily of college students - attracted her to the Thayer Street location. After visiting Thayer Street when her younger sister attended Brown, she was instantly drawn to the neighborhood's "energy and vitality."
She said she hopes her store will contribute to Thayer Street's youthful image.
"We want people to be comfortable here, to be able to run into their friends," she said.
According to Romano, the district's only disadvantage is high rental rates. It is difficult for small businesses to pay steep rents, she said, especially when larger chains are more willing and able to do so.
Neighborhood newcomers Jacob and Jamie Kamborian said they are also wary of the presence of nearby chain stores. Their store, J&J's Candy Bar, which opened in December, offers an array of chocolate, candy and ice cream.
They said they were particularly concerned about the debut of Cold Stone Creamery, a nationwide franchise, which will open a branch in D'Angelo's old location.
"Thayer Street should keep the Mom and Pop feel" instead of catering to larger corporations, Jacob Kamborian said.
