Even though I loved hungry mother and I would love for it to come back, I find this petition troubling. There is lot enough information made publicly available via Google search that gives us why there needs to be a third bathroom? Is it due to a regulatory need? Perhaps the bathrooms that are there aren't up to ADA or other regulations to accommodate handicapped people? Maybe the recommendation was made due to possible health concerns associated with employee hygiene? Everyone here mentions that there were no issues from two bathrooms in the restaurant, however, perhaps there were issues with health inspectors or employees? I'm sure there was nothing wrong as this place was impeccable. I'm just saying I need more information before I sign my name to a petition and recommends everyone try to do the same. I encourage the owners of this petition/restaurant provide arguments why 3 bathrooms were required by the plumbing board and why hungry mother should be exempt. I also recommend that the petition be modified to address a specific "plumbing board". Is this a Cambridge, Middlesex, or Massachusetts mandate? I bet that may change some people's opinions. I would also be a bit cautious to sign this because if this were truly not needed and was regulatory overreach, would it not seem reasonable to deal with this in our legal system, ie lawyer up?
M
Melanie Sheffield
9 years ago
Two bathrooms is adequate. Please let them use this space to create something terrific again for our community!
A
Anonymous
9 years ago
my previous times to the space was not impacted by the number of bathrooms
J
Jillian D'Amato
9 years ago
Two bathrooms was always adequate when I was there.
T
Tim Mudarri
9 years ago
As a Cambridge Resident who frequented the old Hungary mother, I can vouch that two bathrooms in the establishment never disrupted my experience. Please grant this variance to code.
M
Matt Robinson
9 years ago
They have done far more good for the community and economy- Let them come back and grow!
G
Genevieve Sherman
9 years ago
Not only were two bathrooms enough - the beautiful decor and character of the bathrooms were great and a fun aspect of the restaurant!
A
Adam Saltzman
9 years ago
I live in the neighbourhood and used to frequent the hungry mother, I had no issues with the bathrooms and hope to see something else in the space
K
Keith Harmon
9 years ago
Restaurants are critical pieces of enhancing neighborhoods, and also are unique in the small business world in that they generate on average 52 cents in wages for every $1 of revenue along with the corresponding Federal and State income taxes. They also generate about 22 cents in the dollar for FICA, FUTA, and SUTA taxes, 7 cents on the dollar in DOR sales tax. They are crucial in 1) enhancing neghborhoods, 2) creating local jobs and 3) supporting the tax base locally and nationally. To not grant the variance as "existing non-conforming" is contrary to everything that neighborhood and city permitting boards are supposed to do. PLEASE GRANT THE VARIANCE.
M
Marguerite Avery
9 years ago
Three bathrooms seems excessive in terms of the size and clientele of the former Hungry Mother space. This seems like excessive bureaucracy that is designed to help people yet results in harming the community it serves.
J
Joseph Teller
9 years ago
Considering how many places in the city have no bathrooms but have seating and are grandfathered, there is no reason to selectively enforce the ordinance. Either enforce it on every establishment that has seating or grandfather existing businesses like this unless there are a lot of complaints from the patrons.
S
Susan Holaday
9 years ago
Two bathrooms are quite sufficient - requiring a 3rd should not be necessary- please grant a variance!
C
Carol malthaner
9 years ago
Two bathrooms were working just fine. Please grant an exception to the ordinance in this case. Requiring a third bathroom would be a terrible reason to keep this restaurant closed.
T
Ted Gallagher
9 years ago
there was never a bathroom line!
S
Sandy Kautz
9 years ago
When luck enough to get in.. never found the restrooms an issue..
F
Frank Schroth
9 years ago
I ate at Hungry Mother numerous times during their tenure. Always a great experience. The facilities were absolutely adequate to the space.
J
Jonathan steiman
9 years ago
Love this restaurant.
D
David de Sola
9 years ago
As an architect I am particularly sensitive to accessibility issues. Too often, though, laws and codes get in the way of common sense and what used to be addressed with kindness and good manners. I hope a reasonable conversation between the Owner's representatives and Inspectional Services / the Mass Access board will result in an appropriate solution. There are all manner of making sensible and reasonable accommodations in small existing properties. Hoping level heads prevail and we get this wonderful local eatery back up and running for the benefit of all!
W
Wendy Robison
9 years ago
The third bathroom is completely unnecessary. I almost always could use a bathroom when needed without a wait. I ate at Hungry Mother as much as possible. It was my favorite restaurant in the Boston area and nothing has replaced it yet. I hope the team can open another quality restaurant in the same space again soon!
B
Bill Taub
9 years ago
When the space was occupied by Hungry Mother, my family and I ate there multiple times. Two bathrooms were always enough and I don't ever recall any of us having to wait for a bathroom. Please allow the new concept to use that space without having to remodel and create a third bathroom.
Even though I loved hungry mother and I would love for it to come back, I find this petition troubling. There is lot enough information made publicly available via Google search that gives us why there needs to be a third bathroom? Is it due to a regulatory need? Perhaps the bathrooms that are there aren't up to ADA or other regulations to accommodate handicapped people? Maybe the recommendation was made due to possible health concerns associated with employee hygiene? Everyone here mentions that there were no issues from two bathrooms in the restaurant, however, perhaps there were issues with health inspectors or employees? I'm sure there was nothing wrong as this place was impeccable. I'm just saying I need more information before I sign my name to a petition and recommends everyone try to do the same. I encourage the owners of this petition/restaurant provide arguments why 3 bathrooms were required by the plumbing board and why hungry mother should be exempt. I also recommend that the petition be modified to address a specific "plumbing board". Is this a Cambridge, Middlesex, or Massachusetts mandate? I bet that may change some people's opinions. I would also be a bit cautious to sign this because if this were truly not needed and was regulatory overreach, would it not seem reasonable to deal with this in our legal system, ie lawyer up?
Two bathrooms is adequate. Please let them use this space to create something terrific again for our community!
my previous times to the space was not impacted by the number of bathrooms
Two bathrooms was always adequate when I was there.
As a Cambridge Resident who frequented the old Hungary mother, I can vouch that two bathrooms in the establishment never disrupted my experience. Please grant this variance to code.
They have done far more good for the community and economy- Let them come back and grow!
Not only were two bathrooms enough - the beautiful decor and character of the bathrooms were great and a fun aspect of the restaurant!
I live in the neighbourhood and used to frequent the hungry mother, I had no issues with the bathrooms and hope to see something else in the space
Restaurants are critical pieces of enhancing neighborhoods, and also are unique in the small business world in that they generate on average 52 cents in wages for every $1 of revenue along with the corresponding Federal and State income taxes. They also generate about 22 cents in the dollar for FICA, FUTA, and SUTA taxes, 7 cents on the dollar in DOR sales tax. They are crucial in 1) enhancing neghborhoods, 2) creating local jobs and 3) supporting the tax base locally and nationally. To not grant the variance as "existing non-conforming" is contrary to everything that neighborhood and city permitting boards are supposed to do. PLEASE GRANT THE VARIANCE.
Three bathrooms seems excessive in terms of the size and clientele of the former Hungry Mother space. This seems like excessive bureaucracy that is designed to help people yet results in harming the community it serves.
Considering how many places in the city have no bathrooms but have seating and are grandfathered, there is no reason to selectively enforce the ordinance. Either enforce it on every establishment that has seating or grandfather existing businesses like this unless there are a lot of complaints from the patrons.
Two bathrooms are quite sufficient - requiring a 3rd should not be necessary- please grant a variance!
Two bathrooms were working just fine. Please grant an exception to the ordinance in this case. Requiring a third bathroom would be a terrible reason to keep this restaurant closed.
there was never a bathroom line!
When luck enough to get in.. never found the restrooms an issue..
I ate at Hungry Mother numerous times during their tenure. Always a great experience. The facilities were absolutely adequate to the space.
Love this restaurant.
As an architect I am particularly sensitive to accessibility issues. Too often, though, laws and codes get in the way of common sense and what used to be addressed with kindness and good manners. I hope a reasonable conversation between the Owner's representatives and Inspectional Services / the Mass Access board will result in an appropriate solution. There are all manner of making sensible and reasonable accommodations in small existing properties. Hoping level heads prevail and we get this wonderful local eatery back up and running for the benefit of all!
The third bathroom is completely unnecessary. I almost always could use a bathroom when needed without a wait. I ate at Hungry Mother as much as possible. It was my favorite restaurant in the Boston area and nothing has replaced it yet. I hope the team can open another quality restaurant in the same space again soon!
When the space was occupied by Hungry Mother, my family and I ate there multiple times. Two bathrooms were always enough and I don't ever recall any of us having to wait for a bathroom. Please allow the new concept to use that space without having to remodel and create a third bathroom.