Local business districts struggle with vacancies

At a City Council hearing on March 19, Boston’s Office of Small Business Development revealed that Grove Hall has the highest rate of empty storefronts in the city. But it isn’t due to businesses folding during the pandemic.

That’s why at-large Councilor Julia Mejia organized the hearing on commercial vacancies.

“We’re in a situation where it’s incredibly hard for people to access brick-and-mortar storefronts,” the councilor said...