Week 11: The Lack of Locals

 I am writing this budgetary proposal in response to witnessing the exponential decrease of local stores and restaurants within Cambridge. Over the past 5 years, the amount of local food, beverage and goods legends has plummeted. Classics such as the Curious George Store, Border Cafe and most recently Darwin’s Deli can no longer compete with chain stores such as Starbucks, Sweet Green and Shake Shack. Cambridge used to be a town that favored and was known for their small businesses and forever families. Restaurants such as Hong Kong, which has been in Harvard Square for over 70 years, used to be the standard. 


 


The reason that these small business favorites can no longer stay open… rent. The rent in Cambridge is uncontrolled and inflating faster than local businesses can compete with. It seems as though only the best of the best small businesses can afford to operate in Cambridge while any large scale, chain, restaurant has endless financial backing to stay open; whether popular or not. 

Unfortunately, rent inflation is an issue all around the country and is most heinous in cities. I believe that instilling rent control in Cambridge would prove to be beneficial for both the residents and businesses and allow money to be freed up for other issues in Cambridge. I also propose that we create a program in which businesses that have been open in the Cambridge area receive a small reward or incentive for each year they are open. This will encourage local entrepreneurs to open a business in Cambridge as well as support already established businesses. 

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