Real Estate

Here are the Homes That Sold in Watertown This Week

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Check out the homes that sold in Watertown this week. $410,000 – 21 Angela Lane Unit G-4, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 2 full & 1 half bathroom, Townhouse condo/townhouse

$601,000 – 125 Coolidge Ave Unit 307 4 room, 2 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, Mid-Rise condo/townhouse

Sponsored by:

$650,000 – 10 Carlton Terr. 2 unit, 12 total room, 4 total bedroom, 2 Family multi-family home

$644,000 – 10 Hillside Road, 7 room, 3 bedroom, 1 full & 1 half bathroom, Colonial single-family home

Business

Watertown Bicycle Store Wins National Award

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The store that started as a small bicycle on Galen Street nearly 40 years ago has been named one of the top bicycle stores in the nation. 

Farina’s, located on Galen Street near Watertown Street, was named one of 2014 America’s Best Bike Shops by the National Bicycle Dealers Association. Stores across the nation can apply, and the criteria for the award include customer service, business practices, bicycle advocacy, employee training and community service, said Paula Farina Pollis, one of the co-owners along with her brothers Anthony and Michael. “We are thrilled to be ranked among the top stores,” Farina Pollis said. “This year less than 300 shops fell into this category out of more than 4,000 bicycle retailers.” The process is long, and included essay questions and having a secret shopper come into the store.

Business

Liquor License Debate Gets Murkier for Town Council

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Three Town Council subcommittees met last week to shore up the details of the town’s request to the State Legislature for more liquor licenses, but by the end of the meeting Councilors had not made a decision. At a previous meeting, the members of the Rules & Ordinances, Economic Development & Planning, and Public Safety subcommittees, discussed asking for 15 new licenses. Five would go to approved projects or existing locations. The other 10 would be divvied up among different areas of town. Last week, however, the group was not sure how to handle the forthcoming requests for liquor licenses from the Arsenal Project (formerly Arsenal Mall) for new restaurants.

Real Estate

Check Out the Latest Watertown Home Sales

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These homes sold this week. See where they are and how much they sold for. $655,000 – 626 Belmont Street, 10 room, 4 bedroom, 2 full & 1 half bathroom, Colonial single-family home

$425,000 – 475 Arsenal St. Unit E, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 2 full bathroom, condo/townhouse

$454,000 – 20 Myrtle St. Unit 20, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full & 1 half bathroom, Townhouse condo/townhouse

Sponsored by:

$430,000 – 30 Prospect Street, 5 room, 3 bedroom, 1 full bathroom, Cape single-family home

$460,000 – 18 Hudson Street, 5 room, 2 bedroom, 1 full & 1 half bathroom, Colonial single-family home

Development

East End Residents Create Survey on Development in the Area

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Some significant developments have been proposed in East Watertown, and some area residents are interested in what people think about the projects. Developers seek to build a CVS/Pharmacy at the corner of Arlington and Mt. Auburn streets at the site of a gas station and the Elks Club (see more here). Another project has been proposed at the former GE Ionics site on Grove Street where an office building will be renovated and a multi-story garage is proposed (read more here). Both projects are on the agenda for the Nov.

Business

Move to Raise Tobacco Sale Age to 21 Meets Resistance

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The Watertown Board of Health is considering raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21 in town, but some stores and their fans do not want to see the change. This week, the board held a hearing to discuss changes to Watertown’s tobacco regulations. Probably the biggest change would be to raise the age when it is legal to buy cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco and nicotine products from 19 to 21. Donna Moultrup, interim Director of Health said one of the main reasons for the change is to prevent youths from getting their hand on cigarettes. “Research has shown that young children 12 and 14 years old are getting cigarettes from people age 18-21,” Moultrup said.

Development

Volkswagen Pulls Proposal for Used Car Center in Watertown Sq.

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The proposed Volkswagen used car center in Watertown Square has been scrapped. Boston Volkswagen sent a letter to the Watertown Planning Department stating that the proposed project has been withdrawn, but did not give a reason, according to a report on Wickedlocal.com (click here to see the story). The plan had called for turning the former Sullivan Tire & Auto store on North Beacon Street into a used car center. VW has a dealership just down the street. The proposal drew criticism from residents and members of the Planning and Zoning boards alike.