New sign advertising that Nobscot Shopping Center is now actively attempting to lease out vacant stores. (photo courtesy of Rick McKenna)

FRAMINGHAM, MA - I have been lucky enough to be involved with the various parties interested in seeing the Nobscot Shopping Center revitalized, and today had a chance to discuss the center's future with the point-man from the newly hired property management company.

Jeff Bruk of Boylston Realty Advisors has been tasked with leasing out the vacant stores in the shopping center.

Jeff has just planted his "FOR LEASE" sign in the shopping center's parking lot, and has designed a Nobscot Shopping Center leasing information brochure to  market the property, (it's in PDF format, Adobe Acrobat reader is needed to view file)

I specifically asked Jeff about the former Texaco Gas Station which is part of the property, (located at the Edgell Rd. entrance to the plaza), and although they, ...[read more]

39 residential properties were sold in Framingham during the month of September 2011.

FRAMINGHAM, MA- There were a total of 39 residential real estate sales in Framingham during the month of September 2011.

Of the properties sold, thirty one single family homes were sold at an average selling price of just over $341k, three condominiums sold at an average price of $121.6k, and five multi-family properties sold at an average of $180k.

On average single family homes and condominiums sold during September had been on the market for approximately three and a half months. One single family property had been on the market for over a year, (492 Elm Street, a 7-room, 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath split entry that had an asking price of $315k and sold for $296k after 381 days).  Another single-family sold in less than a week, (an 8-room, 4-bedroom, 3-bath Cape at 978 Waverly Street which had an asking price of $249.9k and sold for $245k in just 5 days).

The five multi-family homes sold in September had been on the market for ...[read more]

Christine Komola appointed Chief Financial Officer of Framingham, MA based Staples Inc.

FRAMINGHAM, MA - Staples, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPLS) announced today the promotion of Christine Komola to Chief Financial Officer effective February 1, 2012. Christine will report to John Mahoney, Staples' Vice Chairman.

Mahoney, who joined Staples in 1996 as Chief Financial Officer himself and was subsequently named Vice Chairman, (in 2006), said his responsibilities as CFO will transition to Christine over the next year.

"Christine has established herself as a respected leader in the Finance organization since joining Staples 14 years ago," said Mahoney in a press release. "She has deep knowledge of Staples' global businesses and an excellent track record in leading our Finance teams in partnering with our operations to achieve our goals. I am confident Christine is well prepared to assume greater responsibility in leading our finance functions in the years ahead."

Christine joined Staples in 1997 and has served in various leadership roles including Vice President, Planning and Control; Chief Financial Officer of Staples.com; Vice President, General Merchandise Manager, Furniture & Wholesale, and her most recent role as ...[read more]

Nobscot Shopping Center, 770 Water St., Framingham, MA

FRAMINGHAM, MA- The long awaited "October 1st announcement" about the Nobscot Shopping Center has arrived a day early.

In an email from Steve Sylven of SuperValu Inc., (NYSE: SVU), he informed me that, "As of October 1st, Boylston Realty Advisors will be acting as property manager for the Nobscot Shopping Center", and added, "We will be working with them to finalize design plans and market the plaza to potential tenants ".

Steve also commented that they are "still in the early planning stages, but as more concrete plans come together, [they] will share them", and that they are "are committed to making the needed improvements to the property and actively marketing the space to new tenants".

Boylston Realty Advisors offices are ...[read more]

Formerly a Coutryfare Star Market grocery store, the largest retail space in the Nobscot Shopping Center has sat vacant for nearly a decade.

FRAMINGHAM, MA - Since reporting that the owners of the Nobscot Shopping Center had demolished the vintage sign that stood out front for the past half-century, there have been only small bits of news about the property's future.

I had this article almost finished last night, but was waiting for a reply from Steve Sylven, an official spokesperson for SuperValu Inc., (NYSE: SVU)

While most of the complaints about the shopping center have been directed at Centercorp Retail Properties, Inc., the listed agent for the plaza -- it appears Centercorp's hands are literally tied, preventing them from doing anything at the plaza.

According to Steve, "SuperValu", the parent company of ...[read more]