Sure would be nice to see a Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market open there, the prices are incredibly strong, and the jobs would be nice. But I know Somerville would rather pay Whole Foods prices than ever allow anything Wal-Mart open. So much for the theories of Wal-Mart shutting down local grocery stores, happened without their presence in the area. I don't make enough money to be shopping at Whole Foods all the time, and Shaw's is pretty far away.

A Market Basket would be great there.

Yes, Market Basket please! That would be a great thing on this side of town. There's more than enough demand with Somerville, Medford, Arlington and North Cambridge -- not a decent, low-priced market here at all once Foodmaster leaves.

I don't think they would put a Market Basket there, as there is one on Somerville Ave. I have heard that Stop & Shop might go in, then others have said nothing for now will be there. Although Stop & Shop is a bit on the expensive side, not having any kind of a grocery around this area would be worse. I am disabled and this was perfect for me.

I would like to see a WalMart Grocery Store but the "Invest in Somerville" and similar groups would never allow that to happen. They seem to know what is best for the residents of Somerville.....

I think it is a perfect location for a Market Basket. Even though Foodmaster is awful, the West Somerville always has people shopping there. That's because there just aren't enough supermarkets in the area. And, yeah, the one on Somerville Ave may be close but not that close. In addition, it is always packed to the gills and not easy for people across the Arlington and Medford lines to get to. I think a Market Basket with its low prices and would be packed all the time.

I think it is a perfect location for a Market Basket. Even though Foodmaster is awful, the West Somerville location always has people shopping there. That's because there just aren't enough supermarkets in the area. The Market Basket on Somerville Ave may be close but not that close. In addition, it is always packed to the gills and not easy for people across the Arlington and Medford lines to get to. I think a Market Basket in West Somerville --with their low prices --would be packed all the time. And please not another Whole Foods!

I've lived in Charlestown & W. Somerville for 18 & 7 years, respectively, and don't drive, so I've always been grateful that Johnnie's was an easily accessible, locally-owned, well-stocked, well-run grocery store/chain. Those who haven't lived in Charlestown or other Boston-area neighborhoods for long may not appreciate what a great amenity it is to have *any* grocery store - much less a clean, friendly one - w/in walking distance or on the local bus line. (The Somerville Stop & Shop & several other area stores have only been open for <10 years) and they're not accessible unless one owns a car and/or drives.) I literally cried when I heard Johnnie's was closing: they hired C-town residents and took pride in being one of the few remaining family-run grocery chains in MA & the NE. How many residents can afford to shop at Whole Foods every week, if ever? Moreover, every local grocery store will raise prices when Johnnie's closes so we'll all pay more going forward. I also worry about their employees' ability to find comparable jobs in C-town and this economy. I truly wish there was a way to stop this from happening. Like many other long-time patrons, we want to say a heartfelt 'thank you' to Johnnie's owners, managers & employees who've been such a vital part of our community for 65 years. Generations of townies and newcomers were glad to have you here, and many of us will always associate your store - and that big, red, friendly 'Johnnie's Foodmaster' sign - with being home.

ANYTHING BUT MORE CONDOS!

I hear Johhnies in W. Somerville will close this wknd. I think it's like losing a family member and wonder if a gathering of people/customers on its last day would be a healing experience. Like going to a funeral, let's all get together this Saturday morning, Nov. 17, at 10 am in the parking lot to say goodbye. Perhaps if enough people came, there could be closure and community building. We could get in a huge circle encircling the parking lot, or just a cozier circle, and share our thoughts and feelings. The little guy has trouble making a stand against the big guy, small business verses big business. Let's get the word out, to get together.

Nancy,

I like your suggestion of meeting on Saturday morning and show support to local residents who have relied on Johnnies Foodmaster as an affordable place to shop, one within walking distance for many who have relied on its convenience.

If we could get people to commit to the time, maybe we can form a group which could attend town meetings about future proposals for the site.

I agree, Market Basket is the right choice. We have enough Whole Foods in this area. The one in Medford is close enough for people to shop who live in Ward 7.
Cambridge already has 3 stores and Beacon Street is building another one. I consider that part of town Cambridge because it's just over the line.

Gentrification has taken our town by storm. It's up to us to have our voices heard if we have any hope of keeping some balance in the city.

My mother shopped at Johnnie's for years because it was affordable and she didn't drive a car. When I was raising my family, we also relied heavily on it due to affordability, convenience & prices.

Those who can afford to shop at Whole Foods & Shaws are mainly single working professionals who have moved to the area.

I have shopped at Whole Foods & Trader Joe's, & pre-existing supermarket's throughout the city. Whole Foods is over-rated, too expensive and does not carry everything other chains do. Trader Joe's, I prefer to Whole Foods since there is a much friendlier presence, I like their selection and prices are reasonable.

I'm happy that WalMart is not coming to the city. They don't have a good record in the way they treat their employees. I once worked for a non-profit legal office which had cases against them by employees with disabilities.

If given a choice, I would vote for Demoulas since there may be a good chance the former employees at Johnnie's could possibly find employment there and I'm sure the people who shopped at Johnnie's would be happy. It would be a seamless transition.

Hi Nancy,

I have an account with both, but primarily use Facebook. I am happy to post something there and try to get the word out. I'll also try to ask a few neighbors to join us. If you are planning to go, I will meet you there. I've also sent an email to the editor for suggestions to get the word out. We could go early on Saturday and talk to customers who are shopping on the last day and see if we can set up a group to rejoin at a town meeting when the site is being considered for new use.

The Boston Globe reports Alewife site has yet to be determined-- (comments could help provide some clues)

http://www.boston.com/businessupdates/2012/11/02/johnnie-foodmaster-closing-all-its-stores-liquidator-says/AJxqEW55NCuP5FjYYacbLK/story.html?comments=all#readerComm

Well done. Ron. Thank you. Hope to see you there. I'll bring a clipboard for sign ups interested in voicing concerns about the site.

It's great to have all your support. Can someone send notices to Facebook, the Boston Globe, NESN, Somerville Journal also- the more people the better? I have limited email/phone access today so can someone help out to spread the word? Posters would be great too, for walkers to see. Use this: Funeral at Johnnies Foodmaster this Saturday, Nov. 17 at 10am, outside store at Alewife. Come share our memories, collective grief. A mainstay in the West Somerville community for decades, many customers are sad at the loss. Employees, customers, owners and residents are all welcome to share their thoughts. Where will those without autos now shop? What will become of the space? Thanks.

Nancy,

I look forward to seeing you at Johnnie's tomorrow between 10:00 - 10:30 a.m. If we can all bring a couple of neighbors along with us, we would have a good showing.

Sand Man,

The issues in our city are more complex than to pin it on the administration and Mayor Curtatone. I think Joe is doing a good job running the city, better than some before him. I remember 5. Mayor Bretta was someone my dad knew personally and from what I recall, was well liked. In my opinion, the only other mayor who was good for our city was Michael Capuano. He's done many good deeds for the working class across this city and is responsible for putting Somerville on the map by bringing in the Red Line.

The yuppie sprawl is due to suburban flight and they just keep coming with no end in sight. In just this past year, there has to be at least 20,000 more residents living here, I can feel the surge and it doesn't sit well with me. I am used to having a neighborhood where everyone knows each other and are FRIENDLY, COURTEOUS and RESPECTFUL. Some days it feels like I've landed on a hostile planet. There are people who are afraid to speak up because they fear being isolated. But behind close doors, many are all feeling the same way as we do.

All I'm asking for is some BALANCE. I don't see that--instead, all I see is a steamrolling invasion and takeover by those who feel ENTITLED. For instance--new neighbors, they ask what color we are painting our home, why we are trimming our tree, if we will take their extra mulch because they don't like the color we chose, they make demands of our politicians. I don't know what more to say. It stinks.

I'd like to share a story of what happened last weekend: I was outdoors raking my yard. It was one of the most beautiful days, the sun was out, my beech was bright with fall colors of orange and yellow hues, there was a cool breeze. A couple appeared before me with their two children. It was as though I wasn't even there and I was standing just a few feet away. The mother pointing down to the edge of my yard, said to her 3 year old, "oh look, what beautiful pine cones, would you like to take some"? Suddenly, my mood shifted. I immediately shot a cold stare at the husband who looked to see my reaction when the wife was asking her child to pick up the pine cones. His next move was to turn to his wife and hurry her along down the sidewalk leaving the pine cones by the edge of my yard. She then proceeded to point to my tree and shout out how beautiful it was.....maybe I should have said something, but I was too angry to speak. I wanted to say..."keep on walking, the pine cones, the tree and my home are NOT FOR SALE...go find some manners under that rock you climbed out from and address people when you talk about their properties directly in front of them". UNBELIEVABLE ...I will admit, later I felt bad for my actions since I was raised to always be polite, if they had greeted me instead of being elitist snobs, I would have gladly offered their child the cones. Wherever there is a meeting about development proposals--I AM THERE. I tell people how I feel! No one will drive me out!

It will be interesting to see what is going to happen with Johnnies Foodmaster. If they don't put a new supermarket there, it could be slotted for condos--that's just my opinion. I have no idea, but I'm curious as to why they are not making an announcement as they have for other locations which Whole (PAYCHECK) Foods is going, like bike-lane-extravaganza a' la Beacon. What will happen to the site of the former Teele Square inferno? Powderhouse School? Lots of questions, very few answers. Well, don't feel too badly about it. You know what they say--what goes around comes back around. Keep your chin up and keep on fighting the fight.

If Obama can beat Romney with all those corporate billions backing him up--the little guy and gal can win too. I'm sorry to see the Hostess Twinkie go, and 18,000 workers laid off. Maybe Bain had to balance their books this week. It does seem odd after the election, all these new layoffs announced. I do hope the employees from Johnnies are at least able to collect unemployment--if not, they should definitely fight it, and yes, right on the holidays. Poorly planned and inconsiderate, especially when many have given decades of hard work to that store chain. Some see it as good business. All I see is GREED. "A fool and his money........."

Johnnies has run it's course. They were great. When Beacon Street opened up we hardly went anywhere else. All our big shopping was done there. Later when the Alwife one opened up(think it used to be Elm Farm) I had moved to that part so we wnet there. I never went to the Ball Square one so I don't know how that was. The only grocery store that I see that can fit in the ones left would be the Walmart Neigborhood markets. They would be small enough to fit in. I don't see Market Basket doing anything unless they get a chance at a bigger piece of land they can build a big store on. They do volume. The Whole Foods thing is a bit much, not sure but maybe they are shooting themselves in the foot on this one. The only big place I se left for a supermarket is at Assembly. Either Market Basket or Wegmans. That's my guess. And, if you think Walmart does not treat employees good lookup Apple on CNN. They make Walmart look like Angels.

AHM,

The owner must be ready to retire, cash out, that is his choice. But these development proposals are real, not imaginary. In a democratic society, the townspeople should be able to vote for what they want to occupy the site--not allow SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS to dictate what goes there with backroom deals and shady developers. If they are going to build condos, they should be done right, not shoddy construction. We have seen this wave before in the early 2000's with people flipping homes (now they get taxed if they flip within 2-3 yrs) and construction companies slapping buildings together without adequate workmanship--their motto is, "make'em cheap, sell them quick and make a big profit". I worry this city is changing too rapidly. What happens when their starry-eyed Intoxication of Davis Square is over? Maybe it will one day run its course, as well. Yuppies are transients, they stay, they get bored, they go. I worry about what we will be left with in 10-20 years. We should have sustainable planning for the future. Somerville use to be a place that took pride in being a "melting-pot", all inclusive, friendly and hospitable. I don't see that now--all I see is a highly competitive, cold and aggressive body of newcomers who behave as though they are in charge. No group or sole person should feel this way. Our city is a place shared by thousands who should be able to voice their opinions. I have turned some people off by my outspoken behavior--do you think I care? HELL NO.

p.s. I knew someone in Maine where he and few of his family members worked at a Walmart, they all worked part-time and got paid very little. He also worked as town manager. For many residents, it was the only employer in town, so of course people are trained to accept poor working conditions because there is nothing else and no competitors to compare it to. I also worked for a regional non-profit legal services agency. The lawyers were dealing with cases filed by employees, frequently. Because they are so big, they can circumvent the laws due to their army of lawyers. Somerville doesn't need a Walmart. Somerville needs another DeMoulas, but I understand your point of not having the sq. footage it needs. More and more, the corporations are treating their help poorly. I've been to a recent protest at the Boston Common by the SEIU. That was an experience--stories of pay cuts, no healthcare while forced to work a job equal to three workers and become physically disabled, while trying to raise a family. There are really bad stories out there, but you won't get to hear about any of them as long as the corporations pay the mainstream media to keep that news off your plasma screen. You must go out there and see it for yourself, talk to people and share their stories. That's the real news. Democracynow.org is a good media outlet to watch.

I'll say this--I respect Joe because he's a hard worker and he's smart. I also find him approachable. I've shared some of my concerns with him recently and I give the guy credit for the strength and endurance he's had to deal with everyone who lives and works in the city. I've worked for some powerful people in the past and present. There must be a clear head which is ready to react at all times--coupled with careful navigation while dealing with people who may or may not have your best interests. You should not judge him too harshly. I've worked in town elections for a few of the local politicians over the years. They can't always be "Mr. Nice Guy", they have to protect their positions while trying to balance that flying trapeze. Not easy, only some are successful at it, while others find out too soon--who not to make enemies with, could be their last term.

AHM,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc.

Begin with "Headquarters", and the rest, down to the end. Remember the celebrity, the sneaker and child labor? Unless we research these stories, we here in Boston don't understand what is going on in other regions of the state, country and world.

This is the price they pay for "globalization". I have too many questions for this problem, but first is, with all the money they have made -triple digit billions in this product, why don't they have an American office based near these factories to oversee workers rights? Well, that answer may be a simple one to explain--"It's not me, it's the other guy". As long as they are citizens of another country, one that is known world-wide to have treated their people with extreme cruelty and violate endless humanitarian rights--they feel completely blameless. So, stock climbs and everyone is happy. I understand a little about the deadly chemicals involved in creating these systems. It's scary as hell. But today, if you are not part of the world of technology and communication, you do not exist. Being raised by parents who knew the true meaning of hard work by physical labor and living off the land, I can appreciate that way of life, but they make it hard to live that way now. It's a conditioning of the masses--we all must own an cell phone/personal computer, otherwise we are not "special". The computer has slowly eroded our societies in many ways.

AHM,

Where the jobs come, so do the people--this may be the main reason people keep flocking to our area. As other states and towns continue to decline into poverty, we here in Boston are continuing to prosper, well, so they say. But it's a different experience from rural Maine and other distressed areas of our nation. As the elite continue to buy and rent, we the working class feel like we are being squeezed out.
Many of my former classmates have moved away due to the surge of yuppie sprawl.
I'm one of the last remaining natives. I won't be forced out by anyone and good luck to those who dare.

To All: Don't forget to come to Johnnie's to bid farewell to a lifelong grocer who has fed many of our growing families for years.

We are planning to meet around 10 and hopefully, people will stick around for awhile....let's say 10-11:30, for those of us running errands early.

Enjoy the day!

I don't think people posting here are being realistic about the kinds of stores Market Basket opens. Their pricing model relies on opening very-high-volume stores that are generally twice the size of the Alewife Brook Parkway location, on company-owned (not leased) real estate. Several of their last few openings have eclipsed one another as the largest supermarket in New England. Most Market Basket stores the size of the current Somerville location—one of their smallest—have been or are in the process of being replaced by much larger facilities. I'd love to have a Market Basket there, too, but it is probably not going to happen.

Pete,

I would be in favor of a DeMoulas, but I'm sure Whole Foods is hoping to gain from the customer base who shopped at Johnnie's. I don't understand why the owner of Johnnie's wouldn't try to get DeMoulas to built one of there. They would draw a lot of customers from Somerville, Medford and Arlington. It will be interesting to see what goes there, but the people I spoke to said "it's going dark".

Ron,

I am not familiar with either of those chains. I would like to see a Trader Joes, but they don't carry enough products for people to be satisfied. Market Basket would be perfect for our part of town. At least the working families wouldn't be left at a disadvantage. I wonder where they will shop now? I guess Shaws in Porter Square. It's the only closest alternative with similar products.

I think the size of the store is a bit small for MB. I would like to see another small format grocery store come into the market like Aldi. TJ's would be great for the location too, especially they treat their employees the best of any store (people working there make $15-17/hr as hourly paid after just a few years which is far higher than what any other store pays a comparable employee). I don't care for the vibe at MB especially they have had a long history of protesting every store that tries to open up such to an extent that their presence stifles competition (not so much right now in the Somerville area but this is certainly a concern in Greater Lowell). They even forced Birch Drug to close in some of their owned plazas because they got a hold of that Stop and Shop acquired it many years ago, plus they held a Stop and Shop development for 10 years in Chelmsford based on bogus claims.