Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Davis Square is in for some drastic changes.

We will say goodbye to Martsa on Elm, Tibetan Cuisine, When Pigs Fly, Dragon Pizza, Sligo pub, Kung Fu Tea, and McKinnon’s. Obliterated will be 231-249 Elm St and 6-8 Grove St. A science research center with commercial space will rise from the ruins.

I go way back with McKinnons. Jimmy, one of the owners is a great guy. My friends Ross, Phyllis, Bob, and Rose also worked there. Ross made the best and the biggest sub sandwiches. They also had the best filet mignon around. I’ll miss popping into McKinnon’s as well many other customers.

Sligo was where my dad, me and my sons drank. Dad hung around there when it was Pat Connolly’s. I still recall the jar full of hard-boiled eggs on the bar. Places like Sligo were called a “gin mill” in the old days.

As usual I asked the readers to weigh in on how they feel about saying goodbye to these tried-and-true businesses and here they come:

“The last of old Somerville. No more inexpensive meat or alcohol. Tom at Sligo used to tell me how the yuppies would hit Sligo first to get a buzz then hit the upscale places.”

“So, when we hear shop local, do business local it’s all garbage. If small businesses don’t go under due to illness and economy, City Hall will do them under. Money talks.”

“All you have to do is grease a few palms in Somerville.” Wow!

“These people Suck that are running our city. I’m sorry to sound off harsh but all these changes just suck!” Yikes!

(please don’t shoot the messenger!)

“Yeah, it’s ridiculous. They’re killing the culture of the city.”

“Why don’t they build it where the old Rite Aid building is. That’s been empty for quite a long time now. It’s awful to put those businesses out.”

We’re getting used to seeing old businesses and buildings come down. We are in the midst of the new Somerville so we better get used to it. In the meantime, I have to find another place to buy my filet mignon.

Good luck to the people who are being displaced. Maybe McKinnon’s or Sligo will move into one of the commercial spaces.