To the Editor:

The challenges facing small businesses in marginalized communities are real, and commercial real estate dynamics often make it even harder for them to survive. Too often, high rents and inflexible lease terms add to the burden, forcing promising ventures to close their doors before they have a real chance to take root.

That’s why we want to recognize our landlord at Daily Table’s Mattapan location, Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH), for being a mission-driven partner that works to strengthen the community. POAH has been committed to providing affordable commercial space, not only for us but also for other tenants like the daycare center in the Loop at Mattapan Station. They have been responsive, flexible, and truly invested in ensuring that businesses serving the neighborhood have an opportunity to succeed.

Despite this support, we ultimately had to close our Mattapan store because we weren’t able to make the site economically viable. But we are grateful to have worked with a landlord that is taking a different approach—one that puts the long-term health of the community first.

As we continue to navigate the many factors that influence business sustainability in underserved neighborhoods, we hope to see more property owners follow POAH’s example in prioritizing affordability, flexibility, and community investment.
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Sasha Purpura
CEO, Daily Table

Editor’s note: In an opinion article published in last week’s Reporter, the Daily Table was described as a “food panty.” In fact, it is a grocery store that offers affordable options for customers. The chain’s Mattapan location closed in December. It continues to operate in its original location in Codman Square and at other locations in Roxbury, Cambridge, and Salem, MA.