The Village Shoppes — Local services in Canton

Just moved here here a year ago (fall '23) from Brookline. Was thrilled to find a kosher supermarket/butcher shop - Zaydie's - /w-a creative, constantly evolving catering menu. Unfortunately the rest of the shops here are mostly of the "usual suspects" type, bland representatives from regional/national chains, perhaps the only businesses able to swing the rent? The few smaller retail shops I noticed when I first moved here didn't seem to last, a few of the storefronts have turned over a couple of times. Makes one want to ask about Stoughton's/Canton's commitment to supporting local retailers. Why are there no events organized around supporting LOCAL retailers, to attract traffic and encourage browsing? What a wasted opportunity! (& revenue stream!) Too bad because the large parking area seems to BEG for attention like that. Alas, last spring(?), an REI moved in one month only to move out just a few weeks later! Thankfully just a short ride to Sharon or Canton (one COULD easily walk, if only there was a sidewalk) where there are plenty of local shops & bistros that beckon! "Come explore! Relax & linger awhile! Let us serve & refresh you, & entertain you!" Thank goodness for Zaydie's kosher market, Ace Hardware, Shaw's & CVS where you can no doubt find your basic necessities ... get in & out quickly. But thank goodness that Sharon & Canton understand that "the spirit within" craves a little something more. Perhaps a taste of a local...

the layout of the entire plaza is so spread out and detached from one another -- there are at least 5 parcels of retail areas that are separated by traffic -- making it too exhausting and even dangerous to walk around on foot (and it's outdoor!), but it's ridiculous to store-hop on wheels. maybe they design it for the "1 destination, in and out" shopping style? if so, then they are quite successful.

even the traffic flow layout is ridiculous, bordering on hazardous. in an attempt to prevent speeding, stop signs and raised dividers are everywhere, which is fine by itself. but the overall design just makes one feel like they're in a corn maze, making stops and turns every 3 seconds. going from Washington Street to Shaw's averages just about 13 turns/stops.

landscaper needs to be fired as well -- tall grasses are placed so strategically at the intersections that one would almost think that they did it on purpose just to block drivers' sight line for oncoming traffic. it's stressful just navigating in the plaza.

maybe it's just me, but for the number of times i come here, that's bc i know there's a store i need/want to visit. with the current layout, there isn't much chance to wander around to "see what's there". you must know where you need to go coming in, and you won't realize that some shops have existed no matter how many times...

The village shops yes the lore here is the village shops were established sometime after Shay's rebellion in 1684 there used to be a place called caldor this was back in the '80s I know that's somewhat of a 200-year jump but you're just going to have to deal with it but the village shops they got it all they got gourmet garden they got Marshalls they got a couple other restaurants they got Banks they got Shaw's they have a UPS store they have a McDonald's they have good parking good lighting they have it all get down there get down there bring your family and actually I have it's been awhile since I saw it no skateboards allowed so if you're Tony hawk in training then get on your skateboard and get down there PS don't litter...