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MC Slim JB at Boston Magazine just did a piece about the wave of gentrification in the South End. People with obscenely expensive tastes are either moving in or visiting too much, and the prices are going up.
Not only do the new residents like to throw money around, but they also look tacky doing it. One woman quoted in the piece proclaims, "The only cool people [at the Beehive] are the bartenders—half the guys who drink there have whales on their pants!”
Whales on the pants? Now that's a sign of a bad element invading the neighborhood. All kidding aside, a single man with whales printed on his britches immediately knocks 10 points off the South End's coolness score.
While the article focuses mainly on the looks and overall vibe, the real issue is cold hard cash. If people who are willing to pay ridiculous prices for everything move in, then the boutiques and bars that cater to their needs will follow. If someone is dumb enough to pay $8 dollars for an Heirloom tomato (which the article mentions), then someone smart enough will be in the South End to sell it. Residents who are in the South End should start organizing and contacting their representatives. Before any boutiquey joint moves into the South End, the first question that should be asked by residents is "What do you plan to do for our community?"
More after the jump! Photo by one of Bostonist's faves, *B.G. Lewandowski*. View his photostream on Flickr.
If the community doesn't stand up, the 'burbies will win. The article notes that the new South End residents are freaking out at the prospect of Pine Street Inn starting a halfway residence where the homeless can live while getting a job. That's a front-line battle waiting to happen. If the 'burbies want to shove the homeless under the ground, then what are they doing coming to the South End? If they can't handle urban blight, then what are they doing in a city?
Aside from the depressing thought of people having to make room for 'burbies, the best part about all the South End ruckus is the discovery of the blog "The South End Is Over." The anonymous writer launches brilliant, juicy screeds against the pretentiousness of the neighborhood. Bostonist's favorite involves the unnecessary bouncer at The Beehive:
For exactly which VIP's are the velvet ropes meant? In Boston, apparently VIP means the occasional newscaster, hairdresser of newscasters, New England Patriot, wife of New England Patriot, car dealership owner, or owner of small chain of donut shops. Oh the glamour of it all!!
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