Monday, January 29- Local/State/National Affairs

Monday, January 29

The business in the Downtown Crossing shopping district will decrease later this year, when the original Filene's Basement discount store will close for renovation. The building that houses the retail outlet will be closed for construction for the next two years. This is not only a very popular clothing and accessories discount outlet, but it is one of Boston's largest tourist attractions, stated the article entitled "Flagship Filene's Basement to Shut for Makeover," published by the Boston Globe on January 27th.
The article reads, "Smaller merchants, such as the owners of the pushcarts that line the streets, are particularly concerned about the basement's temporary disappearance." The closing of this store is a fine example of something that will affect the city's economy greatly, yet no one would ever expect this or think that it would have such a great impact. However, the closing of this store will effect the business of all of the stores in the area and the carts that rely on the business of Filene's Basement to attract their own business.
Carts and smaller retail stores may end up closing, unfortunately, due to the renovations of Filene's Basement. Downtown Crossing may suffer. This effects the retail economy of Boston in a large way. Friends and I often take trips to the basement store, and I would not think to visit Downtown Crossing if it did not exist. I'm sure this holds true for a great deal of people.

Information taken from:
http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2007/01/27/flagship_filenes_basement_to_shut_for_makeover/