Still there - home to Fugakyu (sushi place) - it is apartments. I love that building, it's like an old 1920s slice of New York in the middle of Brookline.
The list of retailers in that store is the very story of Brookline itself...
1) Drake's (as in the snack cakes) had a soda jerk there. Back in the 1930s FDR's son lived there and there was secret security in the building.
2)Then it became an Irish pub/family restaurant (the 1284) where JFK and the Kennedy crime syndicate ran a lot of their business. I believe it is also where JFK launched his bid for the presidency, or at least where all the plans were.
3) Now it's uppity and very pricey japanese food - one of dozens in Coolidge Corner.
The building has been very carefully and lovingly restored by Nordblom Company - the same company that has owned it since the 1930s. How's that for stable, long-term ownership???
I really like the atmosphere at Fugakyu, but if you make reservations they may try to stick you up on the third floor. Don't let them.