Boston’s Green Line Extension Brings New Diners to Nearby Restaurants | Eater Boston

"I saw that when husband-and-wife duo Maria Tacuri and Vlad Sinev opened Zaruma Gold Coffee in 2021 they envisioned a brightly lit, homey spot for people to gather, but its awkward location on tree-lined Woodbine Street between Somerville’s hectic Highland Avenue and bustling Medford Street meant foot traffic was sparse and business was “very slow,” with only a few weekend customers using the nearby bike path. After the Medford branch of the Green Line opened and the Magoun Square station appeared right across the street, new customers began coming by every day; commuters now make up the majority of the clientele, including many Somerville neighbors who never knew the cafe existed because they never walked by. Despite the boost in foot traffic, staffer Patty Llerena says she hasn’t made much use of the T herself—she lives in Waltham, where taking the commuter rail would double both time and cost (a one-way ticket is $7)—so employees still often drive and use the shop’s free parking." - Valerie Li Stack