BOSTON — Starbucks is scheduled to speak at a neighborhood council meeting in the North End Monday night - where it is trying to open a new location.
North End residents are fighting to stop coffee giant Starbucks from opening a location in its historic neighborhood. Residents say allowing Starbucks to open would not only ruin its mom-and-pop charm, but open the doors for other chains to set up shop.
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The president of the North End Waterfront Neighborhood Council is not just leading the push to block Starbucks, but is reportedly hoping it will trigger a discussion among city officials to create an ordinance that would ban chains and specific companies from coming into many historic neighborhoods.
John Pregmon says neighborhoods that have strong local character, such as the North End and parts of South Boston, should have a way of preserving that charm.
Mayor Marty Walsh is also leading the fight against the proposed North End Starbucks slated for the entrance to the neighborhood on Hanover Street. Last week, Walsh sent a letter to Starbucks asking them to withdraw.
There are over ten Starbucks locations within a half mile of where the proposed location would go.
Starbucks has not commented on the matter.
In the past, the coffee chain has faced obstacles opening up shops in South Boston. The city ultimately approved that plan in 2016.