Starbucks Staying Open During Cushing Village Build

All the fans of mocha cookie crumble frappuccinos and iced dark roast have been dreading the construction of the Cushing Village complex at Common Street and Trapelo Road. 

The three-building 184,000 square-foot residential, retail and parking complex would mean Belmont's largest Starbucks cafe at 112 Trapelo Rd. would be closing for who knows how long. And while the developer has set aside a prime location for Starbucks, customers had been preparing its coffee diaspora.

(The Belmont Planning Board is scheduled this Saturday, July 27, at 9 a.m. to make a final decision on a special permit that will allow the construction of Cushing Village to move forward.)

But for those passionate customers who are attracted to their daily caffeine fix, rejoice! According to two sources, it is alleged that the Seattle-based multinational and the first-time developer, Smith Legacy Partners, have come to an arrangement that will allow the cafe – which is housed in a former Friendly's restaurant adjacent to the municipal parking lot – will remain open as the project goes up around it; much like the small house in the movie "Up."

(Maybe not that strange, but there is a real-life example of the small building in the middle of a development in Starbuck's Seattle home, the Edith Macefield House.)

And when the building – the Winslow which will be built on the parking lot at the corner of Trapelo and Williston road – in which Starbucks will be relocated is complete and approved for occupancy, the cafe will take a day to transfer its operations to their new business home. 

According to the Starbucks media relations team, "Starbucks is always looking to better meet the needs of our customers and we are continually evaluating our store portfolio. However, at this time, we cannot confirm any plans to relocate the Starbucks at Belmont & Cushing Square."

And Samantha Bell, who handles media relations for Smith Legacy Partners, said there is nothing at this time to discuss concerning the developer's relations with the national chain.