BOSTON (WHDH) - A coffee controversy is brewing in Boston’s historic North End because neighborhood business owners are vehemently opposed to a plan to build a Starbucks on Hanover Street.
Damien DiPaola, owner of Carmelina’s, is leading the charge against the coffee shop because it’s “not representative of the neighborhood.”
A proposed redevelopment of a strip of retail space on the street would bring an array of new businesses, including a Starbucks, to an area known as the “Gateway” to the North End.
“I think I can speak for everyone, we are fine with the redevelopment,” he said. “We’re not fine with Starbucks, we’re not fine with Cafe Nero, we’re not fine with Applebee’s.”
Adrian DeStefano, whose family has owned Cafe Paradiso for 56 years, is worried the national chain would ruin the fabric of the community and feels it’s a “horrendous” idea.
“People coming from all over the United States want to see the North End,” she said. “They want to see what we have created and Starbucks does not belong as a gateway to the North End.”
John Picariello, of Modern Pastry, says the North End is the last true refugee of an Italian neighborhood and he feels Starbucks is a bad idea.
“Starbucks just speaks about what the North End is not about,” he said.
Dan Cence, of Charter Realty and Development, says building designers have worked hard to integrate architecture that’s representative of the area.
A petition is circulating in the neighborhood to stop Starbucks from setting up shop.
City officials plan to meet with business owners and developers Thursday to find a way to move forward with the project.
Starbucks said in a statement that they are working to “design the right experience for our customers to make sure we’re reflecting the history and character of the community.”
The full statement reads as follows:
“We’re in the early stages of bringing a Starbucks store to the North end and our local teams are working to design the right experience for our customers to make sure we’re reflecting the history and character of the community. The store’s design will focus on the local community and will include unique features to compliment the dynamic neighborhood and community gathering space. We’re excited to join the neighborhood which has thriving coffee community that allows all types of businesses to exist together. We know our customers are passionate about coffee as well as their local businesses, and we believe independent stores and small chains can continue to grow and thrive along with Starbucks. It is all in service of elevating specialty coffee – which is a good thing for everyone. We’re looking forward to working with the neighborhood as we move forward and will have additional details available in the coming months.”
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