L
ate winter in Wellesley often brings a wave of business changes, as storefronts that thrived during the holiday season may close or pop-ups with short-term leases come and go. This year is no exception, with over a dozen empty spaces scattered throughout town. In Wellesley Square, two notable vacancies are the double storefronts formerly occupied by Laurel Grove at 25-27 Washington St., which closed in 2020, and Papa Wheelies at Church Square, which shut down in October 2024 after about a year of operation.
Other vacant spots include the space that held Grey Heron, a pop-up shop offering beautiful blankets and pillows, as well as the former home of Wolfers Lighting at 61a Central St. Panoply Spa and Boutique permanently closed last month, leaving its location at 558 Washington St. empty. Lacrosse Unlimited has relocated to 32-34 Church St., but their old spot remains vacant.
In addition to these spaces, Webster Bank reduced its square footage in Wellesley Square, leaving an adjacent space empty that will be filled by Coldwell Banker. The property owner of the building at 71 Central St. lists a lease pending for the space where Coldwell Banker currently resides next to Dellaria. Linear Retail still has 12,500 sq. ft. to fill in the subdivided building where Shake Shack occupies the prime corner spot.
Other vacant spaces include 11 Central St., the teeny downstairs spot at 31 Central St., and the former location of Autolab, which closed after 50 years of providing auto services at 8 Spring St. Despite these vacancies, Demian Wendrow, owner of London Harness and Tumi, remains optimistic about Wellesley's business climate, citing its recent designation as Massachusetts' biggest "boomtown."
The Taylor Block, a prime piece of real estate at the intersection of Washington St. and Grove St., is up for sale with various ideas being brainstormed for its redevelopment, including mixed-use concepts. Frank Petz, managing director of Colliers, notes that there has been good interest from local and regional players.
Linden Square, on the other hand, is 99% leased, with only one storefront remaining vacant. Van Leeuwen ice cream and Karma are set to open in the spring, bringing new flavors and options to the area. In the Wellesley Hills area, Brookline Bank plans to move its branch into the former Citizens Bank space at 392 Washington St., while J.P. Morgan has opened a new office where First Republic previously stood.
Wellesley's assistant executive director, Corey Testa, attributes the town's business climate to efforts made by the Select Board and business community over the past five to ten years. The town has removed intent to dine from its alcohol bylaws, streamlined permitting, and partnered with merchant organizations on community events, making Wellesley a more welcoming place for restaurants and retail establishments.
