Info on Athol/Orange

[susanle]

SmokeyJoe you noted there would be some more stores being built in Athol - has that been approved by the town? Is there any definite dates for this to start? We moved here this year and had heard this but so far I have not heard anything else on it.

[Debi1957]

This is too funny...we are in Plant City Florida...up the street from Tampa and we are also contemplating a move to MA...though it will be about 6 months from now! Maybe we could car pool...LOL....I can't wait to get out of here...thats for sure!!!!

[smokeyjoe]

Originally Posted by susanle

SmokeyJoe you noted there would be some more stores being built in Athol - has that been approved by the town? Is there any definite dates for this to start? We moved here this year and had heard this but so far I have not heard anything else on it.

Shopping options in the Athol-Orange area include an adequate Wal-Mart, an adequate Hannaford grocery store, the usual assortment of smaller stores and a top notch farmers market. For those who prefer to do all their shopping in one place, help is on the way.

According to David Ames, Athol Town Manager, the proposed North Quabbin Retail and Business Park is intended to have:

• About 450,000 square feet of retail space
• A minimum of three major retail stores
• A hotel and one or more restaurants
• Office and business areas

Mr. Ames recently told our real estate firm that 2 anchor tenants, a grocery store and another retailer, are on board. The developers are still working to sign up a third major retail store. We have heard reports that a home improvement outlet is showing some interest.

The proposed location is close to Route 2 (the major east-west highway) and an easy drive from most places in the North Quabbin Region.

The proposal is now doing engineering studies, government approval applications, infrastructure grant proposals and tenant searches. While the Athol town officials and Massachusetts development agencies say they back the proposal, some hurdles remain. Groundbreaking, which is not yet scheduled, will not happen before next year.

It will take some time, but our firm expects the proposed North Quabbin Retail and Business Park to become an important part of the Athol-Orange area within the next few years. If you would like more info, check out this article or send me a private message.

[longg69]

I hear the same developers are working on that site as well exit 19 Templeton a good source has indicated that a home improvemnt store and office buildings will go there any one out there with more information

email me longg69@aol.com

jack

[laddy]

I am considering moving to Orange, Mass. I have a 13lb dog that I would like to bring to
a place where she can get some escerise. I have been living in Ashfield for the last 6 years.
Asfield is a very dog loving town; my concern with moving to Orange, Mass is being able to have
a place such as a feild or a park where she can get some excerise. If anyone lives or has lived in
Orange, Mass and has a suggestion I sure would appreciate it. I am quite nervous of starting over
at making new friends and getting familar with a bus route, and learning where to go shopping for
grocerys and household items.

[mediboy282000]

laddy
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I am considering moving to Orange, Mass. I have a 13lb dog that I would like to bring to
a place where she can get some escerise. I have been living in Ashfield for the last 6 years.
Asfield is a very dog loving town; my concern with moving to Orange, Mass is being able to have
a place such as a feild or a park where she can get some excerise. If anyone lives or has lived in
Orange, Mass and has a suggestion I sure would appreciate it. I am quite nervous of starting over
at making new friends and getting familar with a bus route, and learning where to go shopping for
grocerys and household items.





Have you made the move yet? I live in orange and can give you some insite. I am also a dog owner and eveyone on my street has dogs and they love to have people over for doggy playdates!

[brightdoglover]

Not sure what bus route you refer to- are you carfree? Where do you need to get to? I believe Orange is more than a bit rural.
Orangeites might correct me here, but I believe Orange and Athol have very poor statistics for social issues- like quality of schools, number of sex offenders, substance abuse, child abuse, etc.
I am not trying to slam the area, just what I remember reading. I'll be happy to be proven wrong.