Growing pains

By 1996 ZUMIX was bursting at the seams.

We needed more space, but the City was not ready to work with us. Luckily we found a vacant space at 202 Maverick Street owned by an East Boston native Patty Cohen (Cardinelli).

When we moved in, we learned that the building had a notorious history. It had been known as the Cardinal's Nest - a bar with a seedy reputation. There were stories of underground tunnels where bootlegging flourished during prohibition, rowdy crowds, late night fights, blood-shead and even an occational dead body helped create a mythic reputation - if only the walls could talk!

We operated out of this building for years, expanding our programs with the changing needs of our neighborhood. By 1999 we were working at capacity, and by 2003 we were desperately short of space.