What Should Fill the 'Gym Downtown' Space?

The Gym Downtown closed around Christmas last year and the space has been empty since then.

The space that was most recently home to The Gym Downtown is empty. It was located on the rear of the building at 161 Bay Road, in downtown Hamilton along Bay Road between Walnut Road and the public safety building. The building also houses Cranberry Fiber Arts. Before it was The Gym Downtown, it was Steve's Gym. The memberships were transferred to The Hamilton Club. Kathy Bradford, who owns the building at 161 Bay Road, said she has no new tenant in the works right now. The building has a parking lot at the rear of the building too. What do you think should fill the former gym space? What would be a good business to go in to the space? Tell us in the comments.

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What Should Replace Bay Road Real Estate Office?

There's an empty storefront along Bay Road in Hamilton - what should go there?

An empty storefront along Bay Road in South Hamilton is looking for a new use - what should go there? The space at 28 Bay Road in downtown Hamilton was most recently home to Country Crossroads Realty, which opened in 2011. After it closed, owner Amy Job next door at Jolie Tea Co. was examining the option of expanding to create a cafe to serve tea and pastries. But that idea wasn't able to become a reality when it was disocvered the septic system for the building was not able to handle a food service business. Job said she is looking at other locations. Before Country Crossroads, the space was home to Taylor Danielle Spa, which moved across the street to the Shoppes at Hamilton Crossing in 2010. It's recently been home to a spa and a real …

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Plaza Owner Eyes Purchase of Neighboring Property

The owner of the shopping plaza in Hamilton says it is working to purchase another nearby downtown property.

The company that owns the shopping plaza in Hamilton is looking at purchasing a neighboring property, but does not have any specifics plans for its reuse right now. Lisco Development, the Providence, R.I.-based company that owns the Shoppes at Hamilton Crossing, is conducting due diligence on the property at 17 Bay Road, where Mike’s Auto is located, according to Linda Meiggs of Lisco Devemopment. “We have not received enough information to make our decision,” Meiggs said. The company is waiting to hear the results of some tests that were conducted on the property. The due-diligence process is still on-going and there have been no major problems or obstacles, she said. “It’s still in process,” she said. Meiggs said the company has been …

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Plans for Downtown Tea Cafe Halted Because of Septic Issues

The septic system is not big enough at Jolie Tea Co.'s current location will not be able to handle an expanded cafe.

The septic system at Jolie Tea Co.'s current location in downtown Hamilton will not be able to handle the shop's plan to serve tea and pastries, the Salem News reported on Wednesday. Amy Job, who owns Jolie Tea, told the Salem News that she has dropped plans to expand into neighboring retail space that has most recently been occupied by Crossroads Realty. The septic system that serves the Bay Road building is at capacity she said and could not handle the cafe, she said. The Tea company had already received an OK for the plans from the Hamilton Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals. Jolie told the News that she will look for another location in Hamilton and Wenham where she could open a cafe. Serving tea and adding a cafe was part of …

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Tea Company Plans to Add Seating, Sell Pastries

Jolie Tea Co. in downtown Hamilton plans to add tables and serve tea and pastries.

A tea shop in downtown Hamilton that opened two years now has plans to expand by adding seating and serving tea and pastries. Jolie Tea Co. at 26 Bay Road plans to expand into neighboring space that was most recently occupied by Country Crossroad Real Estate, which moved out. “We have a large demand from our customers to serve tea,” said owner Amy Job. In addition to adding five tables, Job said she plans to serve tea and pastries. There will not be a kitchen in the new space and the pastries will be brought in, she said. "There's not enough foot traffic to support take-out only," she said. Currently, the store sells loose leaf teas. Jolie's teas are served at Wenham Tea House too. By serving cups of brewed tea in the store, it is a good …

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Michelle Bailey

10:57 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013

There's always great tea at the Wenham Tea House, but too bad Hamilton has not been able to figure out a solution to this long-term problem through investing the meals tax.   more ›

Jewelry Store, Barbershop Possible Reuses for 'Clipper Cottage' Building

The retail space on Railroad Avenue in downtown Hamilton formerly occupied by Clipper Cottage is empty and for sale.

The building that formerly was home to Clipper Cottage is for sale. The real estate agent handling the sale says there's already been some interest in the 1-1/2 story building at 59 Railroad Ave. Inquiries have come from people interested in opening a jewelry store, barber shop or "shake station." "It's a nice little building," said real estate agent Pam Mavroules. "It's a great downtown location." According to the real estate listing, it would also be a good location for a salon or candle store. It is priced at $259,000. Mavroules said it would be a great location to start a small business. It is located between the South Hamilton Post Office and Hamilton Dentistry. The building has its own septic system that was installed in 2002 and has…

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First Round of Water System Improvements Wrapping Up

The first phase of work to upgrade Hamilton's water system has been completed.

The first round of work for the $5 million in water system improvements in Hamilton are wrapping up. All of the water main work including residential connections and hydrant installations are complete on Hamilton Avenue, North, Cottage and Mill streets, according to John Tomasz, director of the Hamilton Department of Public Works. The project involved installing a new water main, installing five new fire hydrants and making connections to 51 homes. All of the trenches have a top coat of asphalt on it that will stay in lace for the winter and asphalt cold planning and a new topcoat will go down on the streets in the spring. Work will also be done on the sidewalks. The work is part of $5 million worth of water system improvements approved at…

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'New Cow' Features Gas Fireplace, Brighter Space and 33 Taps

After seven months of renovations, the Black Cow Tap and Grill reopened this week with a bevy of changes.

A newly renovated Black Cow Tap and Grill has reopened in downtown Hamilton, with a new menu "They layout is unbelievable," said general manager Nicole Ananian, who said customers have "literally stopped in their tracks" in the five days since it reopened. Owner Joe Leone said Black Cow has been in its Bay Road location for 18 years without any major changes. "We're going to do it for another 18 years," Leone said. "This is the new Cow." The restaurant had been closed in April to undertake the changes. Changes run the gamut, all adding a "modern industrial" look, he said. A two-sides brick fireplace in the middle of the restaurant was removed and the dining and bar area was opened up into one large space. The room is completely opened up …

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Patch Facts

Five Things to Know on Nov. 20: Rockin’ the ‘Nut

An essential get-me-going daily morning column from Hamilton-Wenham Patch.

Today is Tuesday, Nov. 20. Here are five things you need to know in Hamilton and Wenham: 1. Streak: By continually mentioning all of our great weather hopefully we are not jinxing us, but we’re happy to report that another spectacularly beautiful fall day is in store for Tuesday, with partly sunny skies forecasted along with temperatures into the low 50s. 2. Craft Time: Green Meadows Farm hosts craft time on Tuesday at the farm. The farm educator gathers items from the farm “and magically creates some beautiful pieces for you all to take home.” Best of all, its free and open to the public. There are two sessions, one at 10:30 a.m. and another at 3:30 p.m. 3. Unemployment: The state Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development will …

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Overnight Gas Leak Evacuated Two Hamilton Homes

Two homes in downtown Hamilton had to be evacuated overnight in downtown Hamilton because of a gas leak.

Two Hamilton families had to evacuate their homes early Monday morning because of a gas leak in the neighborhood. The leak was first reported at 11:30 p.m. on Sunday at 50 Mill St., according to Hamilton Fire Chief Phil Stevens Jr. and National Grid spokesman David Graves. While 50 Mill St. was checked by firefighters and found to not have any gas inside the home, nearby at 54 Mill St. there were “strong readings” of gas. “The residents were not aware of the leak and were evacuated,” Stevens said. After that, 52 Mill St. was also evacuated. In all, firefighters checked the gas level in nearly a dozen homes on Cottage and Mill streets. Elevated levels were found at 52 Mill St. and 54 Mill St. and the residents were told to leave the home …

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