A reader reached out, asking if we knew anything about 2201 Pine St., an adorable commercial space in a building dominated by an auto garage/parking lot. For months, a ‘For Rent’ sign hung in this space that was previously, if memory serves, a construction company’s office. Now, there’s no sign, and the windows remain papered over.

The garage

The space

According to the listing, which expired in January, this commercial space has a mere 200 sqft of usable space; the property owners were asking $1,400/month. While you can’t argue with the location, such a small space will have some difficulty attracting any sort of retail business, despite the listing’s suggestion that a florist, salon, or cafe would succeed here. Considering the size and the competition nearby, we’re thinking a cafe would probably be DOA.

Good Karma right across the street

In all likelihood, a little office would make the most sense here. But considering the size and the price per square foot, it may be a little while before we see anything taking over this commercial space.

While we’re on the subject of this particular building, doesn’t it seem a little out of place in this neighborhood? It’s perhaps a little surprising that a developer hasn’t stepped in with plans to either convert the existing building into condos or demo the existing building and build four homes that could probably each sell for $1.5M. We’re guessing that the dollars and cents just don’t work, and that the building will probably remain as is for the foreseeable future.