Bob Marshall hopes to open his family farm stand before Thanksgiving. He said that dozens of residents have stopped in to ask about his business and give suggestions on what to carry.
While financially stalled developments sit empty in some portions of Boston, one area is drawing rave reviews for finding a method to fill space.
From a gas station turned art gallery to a tire store turned farm stand, Boylston Street in the Fenway has several temporary tenants taking up empty space until developers can finalize future goals.
“While we have significant long-term plans to build and make it a lively street, this is also not the right time to be creating new buildings,” said Diana Pisciotta, spokeswoman for Samuels and Associates, which has already built up much of the block but is now securing short-term leases with retailers.
“We thought it was really important to bring in neighborhood-friendly uses to storefronts that might otherwise be empty.”
Marshall’s Farm Stand, for decades a fixture in Gloucester, will soon offer fresh produce in an old Goodyear Tires shop. A dry cleaner that was burned out of a nearby location occupies a one-time auto repair shop. And a former Mobil gas station turned art gallery had about 1,000 people come to its Friday opening.
Paintings hang where oil changes and inspections once took place.
“We’re very happy that the developers have tried to make the streets active and not let the place look blighted and rundown,” said Bill Richardson, president of the Fenway Civic Association.