Shaw’s Made to End ‘Round-Clock Hours-July 13, 1983

The quaint town of Norwood, nestled in the heart of Massachusetts, was abuzz with controversy on a sweltering summer evening in July 1983. The local selectmen had gathered at their meeting hall to deliberate on a pressing matter that would have far-reaching implications for the community’s residents and businesses alike. At the center of this maelstrom was Shaw’s supermarket, a stalwart institution on Walpole Street that had been serving the good people of Norwood for over a year and a half.

The issue at hand was Shaw’s request to remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This proposal had sent shockwaves through the community, with some residents expressing concerns about the potential consequences of such an arrangement. The town bylaw, which prohibited stores from staying open after midnight without a permit from selectmen, had been cited as the reason for Shaw’s decision to seek permission.

According to Richard L. Woodman, vice president and general manager of Shaw’s southern division, the store’s late hours had been requested by customers who wished to shop at their convenience. However, this argument was met with skepticism by some members of the community. Pamela Edge, owner of Pam’s Markets on Rock Street, warned that if Shaw’s were granted a 24-hour permit, she would demand one as well. This threat was not unfounded, given the history between Edge and the town.

In 1980, Edge‘s store had been forced to close at midnight after neighbors complained about noise and vandalism associated with late-night customers. The problems had been so severe that the town had intervened, citing concerns for public safety and property values. It was this precedent that John O’Toole, a resident of 96 Rock Street, invoked when expressing his opposition to Shaw’s request.

“We used to be up all hours of the night calling the police,” O’Toole said, his words dripping with frustration and concern for the well-being of his community. “We’ll have the same problems again.” His sentiments were echoed by Richard W. Alden, another resident of Rock Street, who declared, “We don’t want a 24-hour store in the town.”

Despite these objections, Shaw’s officials maintained that their late hours had caused no problems for neighbors. In fact, they claimed to have been good citizens and neighbors of Norwood, with Woodman stating that customers had requested the later hours.

The selectmen ultimately voted 5-0 to deny Shaw’s request, citing the residents’ opposition as a major factor in their decision. While Curran, one of the selectmen, acknowledged that Shaw’s argument had merit, he felt compelled to turn down the request due to the concerns raised by the community.

As the meeting drew to a close, it was clear that the debate over 24-hour shopping hours would continue to simmer in the background. The town’s residents and businesses would need to navigate this complex issue, weighing the benefits of convenience against the potential drawbacks for public safety and property values.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger