A guide to Boston's peddlers: driving through Bean Town - Boston Market Study

Discount Store News, May 1, 1995

Unlike cities in the "wide open spaces" of the Sunbelt, Boston provides little room for sprawling clusters of big box stores. This holds true to some degree around Boston's beltway as well, but there are several zones where one can quickly and conveniently take in Northeastern versions of key national power discounters--and experience some of New England's own specialty discount chains.

Boston has one east-west expressway: the Massachusetts Turnpike, I-90. And one north-south artery: I-93.

Starting from the Hynes Convention Center or any hotel in the Copley Square area, one can--within moments--be on 1-93 heading either north or south toward Boston's beltway. (This circuit is referred to as I-93, I-95, Route 128 and Route 1 along various segments. Confusing? Easier to understand than Boston politics.)

To head south, proceed on Boylston or Huntington to Massachusetts Avenue. Turn left onto Massachusetts Avenue. Proceed 10 to 12 blocks and bear left onto 93/3A.

The very first turnoff heading south, exit 16, will take you into South Bay Center, an older strip mall featuring Kmart, Toys "R" Us, Marshalls, OfficeMax and one of the power players among regional supermarkets, Super Stop & Shop.

A minor boom is occurring along the Route 24 corridor through the Boston exurbs of Stoughton, Avon and the city of Brockton. Take the beltway to exit 4, heading south on Route 24. It's just a few miles to exit 20-A, where you turn right on Technology Center Drive to find BJ's Wholesale Club.

Take Route 24 to exit 19-B, then take the first right and enter Merchants' Place, a grouping on Stockwell Drive that includes major chains Costco, Jordan Furniture, The Home Depot, Staples, NTW/National Tire Warehouse and Michael's, plus regional discounters like Cape Cod Crafters, Boston Baby Superstore, Pet Supply Depot and the amazing Christmas Tree Shops, which packs people in year-round with a wide selection of seasonal, home decor, lawn garden and crafts goods.

Another cluster lies a few miles further south at exit 18, where the city of Brockton's aging Westgate Mall keeps transforming to keep up with the times. Stores here range from OfficeMax and Bradlees to regional superstores like Fretter (consumer electronics and appliances), MVP Sports and Paperama.

If you travel further along the Boston beltway to exit 15, you'll reach one of America's original strip shopping areas, Route 1. Now billed as "Car Mile," this ancient retail aorta offers a lot more than endless new and used auto plazas. Home grown New England discounters here offer everything from office equipment to patio furniture, sporting goods, pet supplies, reading matter at Buck A Book and floor coverings at New York Carpet World, where the sign says you will "PAY NO MONEY"

Take Route 1 north through Dedham to encounter major discounters including Filene's Basement, Lechmere, Ames, Circuit City, Levitz and Toys "R" Us. Dedham Mall, a covered strip center, is anchored by Sears, Bradlees and T.J. Maxx.

Take Route 1 south through Norwood and Walpole to discover off-price tailored clothing superstore Syms, as well as party, decor and craft emporium Paperama, plus Frank's, Auto Palace and Home Quarters. And experience clearance house Building 19 3/4 where a sign proclaims "You Never Sausage A Place."

Also on Route 1 (dubbed both Providence Highway and Veterans Highway) is the Mall at Walpole (anchored by Officemax and Bradlees) and featuring such stores as soft lines specialists Lingerie Factory, Jo-Ann Fabrics, Hit or Miss, Petrie's division Marianne/Marianne Plus, and a very successful Waldenbooks.

Occupying an outpost on Route 1 just north of Foxboro, where the NFL Patriots play, is a Wal-Mart discount store that opened in April 1994.

North of Boston lie more discount clusters.

To head north, take Huntington or Boylston to Berkeley Street and turn left. Proceed several blocks to Storrow Drive, turning right onto Storrow. Follow the signs to 1-93 North. Traveling out of downtown, you'll pass The Home Depot, Circuit City and Kmart (all off exit 29) and Bradlees and MVP Sports (at exit 30).

Take exit 37 to get on the beltway (signs say '95 South" . The first turnoff, exit 36, is home to Woburn Mall, featuring Lechmere, Kids "R" Us, Just for Pets, Auto Palace and NTW/National Tire Wholesale. Exit 35 boasts Ames sharing a roof with supermarket Purity Superstore.

The long-successful Burlington Mall at exit 32 is anchored by department stores Jordan Marsh, Filene's Basement, Lord & Taylor and Sears. Discounters have sprung up here along the Middlesex Turnpike, including a top-line Bradlees and the stores at Vinebrook Plaza such as Tower Records, Barnes & Noble and Staples. Just south of the beltway also at exit 32 is the Middlesex Mall, anchored by Caldor and ladies' apparel off-pricer Loehmann's.