Taking my daughter to Clark University next week and...

[scorpio516]

Originally Posted by MMS02760

Walmart Super Center and Sam's Club at McKeon Road/Rte 146 south of Holy Cross

But don't go there unless you have hours to kill waiting in line. It's a bad store.
The one on route 9 in Northborough is smaller but much nicer.
The one on route 9 in Leicester is bigger and much nicer.

[kudzutoo]

It is just my perception. I don't have stats to back it up. I don't regularly frequent the area. It just seems from my few trips there like there are even less businesses in and around Clark than 30 years ago. I attributed this to the crime in the area (via news reports) and the fact it is not a desirable place to live. I don't think I am alone in having this view. Perhaps others can counter this.

When I lived in Worcester, Main South was known for the Public Inebriate Program Shelter (later renamed "People in Peril" Shelter) and prostitution. It is a run-down and rough section of town...which of course, pretty much any large, urban city will have a few of those. It just happens that Main South is known for being one of those.



BTW - great list at the beginning of this thread of businesses in 80's vs now. I think Paul Revere Insurance - still there, but now as Unum.

[sheena12]

What seems to have gotten WORSE about Main South are that in general, the area along Main St. has less businesses than it did in 1976-81. When I was there, if I remember correctly, there were the following businesses - a pharmacy, a pizza grinder shop, a Store 24, and a small supermarket - along with Moynahan's, which remains.

What has gotten BETTER is the security provided by the University. We were pretty much on our own. We walked in groups, but we weren't terribly afraid. In the years that I was there, NOTHING dangerous happened - on or off campus.

Now, the school has drivers, an escort service, alarms - etc.

This is probably a function of 1. that the area has gotten somewhat worse.

2. More helicopter type parents. When I attended Clark, most of the students were from upscale suburbs - but we embraced our gritty, post-industrial city. We liked the interaction with the community, and the volunteer opportunities that this afforded.

My daughter turned down Mount Holyoke, Skidmore, Wheaton (MA) Earlham, and Beloit for Clark.

So...we shall see. I think she will be fine.