Report: Rodney’s books leaving, but nightclub may replace it in Central
Rodney’s, the used-book emporium in Central Square, has sold more than books. But soon it will shut down and won’t sell anything, according to a city councillor. (Photo: Celia Marsh)
The giant, two-floor Rodney’s used bookstore is leaving because the owner wants to retire, councillor Ken Reeves said Monday at the City Council meeting.
The good news is that that space might become a nightclub, he said.
Tuesday, however, workers at Rodney’s said they knew of no plans to close. There is “nothing imminent,” they said, questioning if a recent sale offering 30 percent off may have started rumors. Hand-drawn signs for the sale spoke of its “last day,” but not the store’s last day.
A message was left Tuesday with the owner.
Other members of the council complained that they were unable to attend a Central Square Public Discussion Group held Monday at the same time as their meeting. They asked that meetings be scheduled more sensitively so all could attend.
Reeves also asked that the city find a way to create short-, mid- and long-term plans for the area, as Kendall Square has recently done, with all constituencies represented as it was crafted.
Updates: This story has been updated t0 include comments from Rodney’s employees and the headline to indicate Reeve’s comments were his own.
On May 10, Reeves said his comments had been heard incorrectly — that he’d said a nightclub was coming to Central Square, not that it would be coming to the space occupied by Rodney’s.
One of the greatest dangers for Central Square is the potential for it to become dominated only by nighttime entertainment venues. It’s great having them and perhaps we could use another one, but there has to be some attention paid to drawing a wide range of daytime establishments as well.
There is little doubt that a nightclub might prove more profitable than a retail store catering to the everyday needs of people. However, bringing in these retail stores is essential to the long-term well-being of a commercial center like Central Square. We’ve experienced the loss of affordable supermarkets like the Purity Supreme, the Stop & Shop on Memorial Drive, and the Food Shack for those who go back further – now the site of the Prospect Street Whole Foods. Though we’re happy to have some partial replacement of these, it’s not ideal for those whose incomes don’t match the prices of “Whole Paycheck”.
While we’re celebrating yet another piece of nightlife, let’s not forget that a women’s clothing store, an Army-Navy store, a classic diner or two, and maybe even a small cinema would make for a better Central Square. It’s not all about the nightlife.
How about and effort to explore a range of creative ways to find a new owner to take over this business, perhaps evolving it a bit to make it economically more viable in the future?
We need more daytime attractions to get people to come to Central Square or it’ll be desolate except for a few restaurants and a line of banks.