Friday, July 19, 2024

What Could Have Been: Major Business Ideas That Failed In Dorchester


From time to time, this blog has examined Dorchester's business history.  For example, we took a look at Dorchester's business scene in the post-World War II years.

Dorchester history is replete with hundreds of mom-and-pop businesses and other small operations. Some thrived for decades. Some still exist today. Others didn't survive more than a few months. 


Many of our readers could name some of those former businesses right now.

But did you know at the turn of last century, Dorchester was on the brink of being home to some major businesses -- at least in concept? 
Had those businesses been successful, they would have turned into major area employers.

In the publication "Obsolete American Securities and Corporations, Volume 2," the Times has located the following proposed business from Dorchester that didn't quite get off the ground in the first decade of the 1900s:

  • Dorchester Butter and Cheese Co.
  • Dorchester Grain and Live Stock Co.
  • Dorchester Telephone Co.
  • Buntin Mining and Coal Co.
While the history books make us wonder what might have been, we also take time to give thanks for the success stories Dorchester has produced and all of its current businesses. After all, being home to one of the nation's largest cooperatives isn't too shabby for our humble hometown.

4 comments:

  1. I would call Tyser Repair and Donnas Hair Creation success stories, too, since they've been around for decades. Must be doing something right

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  2. Here's a business idea for today: a local internet provider. They couldn't possibly do worse than Diode. Barf bag please.

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  3. Isnt there some sort of business idea out there that can spin off of the Co-Op somehow? Brainstorm people, brainstorm!

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  4. ...................... you forgot one ........................ dorchester girls only stripper club ....................... tried it back in the 70s ....................... huge bust ............................ only strip club ever known to pay people to lure them in ....................... hahahahaha........................

    ReplyDelete

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