Return-to-office has settled. Is this as good as it gets for downtown?

"So Baratz is still waiting for that next wave of workers. Midweek sales and catering volume at the cafe, a block from Post Office Square, are about three-quarters of prepandemic levels, slower on Mondays, and dismal on Fridays.Weekly revenue is around 60 percent of prepandemic levels. As a result, his staff is down to 55 from 75 six years ago."

"Ever since offices reopened in the pandemic, businesspeople have wondered when the "new normal" would arrive. Officeemployers typically started with one or two days a weekin the office. Many of the companies, from John Hancock to CarGurus, have now settled in at three. For a few, such as State Street, four became the rule."

"As of Labor Day, nearly every company seems to be sticking with its current hybrid approach, based on interviews with more than two dozen local business leaders. Yes, the office leasing market has finally stabilized, and city leaders are trying to encourage housing construction. But for the businesses that depend on downtown office workers, this could be as good as it gets."

Downtown consumer activity and commuter patterns remain subdued as many companies keep hybrid schedules. Midweek sales and catering at a central cafe are about three-quarters of prepandemic levels, weekly revenue near 60 percent, and staffing has fallen from 75 to 55. Employers began with one or two in-office days and many have settled at three days, with some at four, and most firms appear to be maintaining those routines as of Labor Day. Commuter rail momentum has slowed, with ridership down 7 percent in early 2025 versus 2024 and 16 percent below 2019. Office leasing has stabilized while city leaders push housing construction.

Read at Boston.com