Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 

Wondering when you and your employees will be eligible for a vaccine?

 

You'll know today.

 

Gov. Charlie Baker announced in a tweet last night that he “will release the schedule for all remaining groups in MA's vaccine plan. Every resident will know when they are eligible for a vaccine.”

 

Unless Baker veers again from his prior plan, about 360,000 front line workers (listed as group 3 here) and 430,000 people with one chronic health issue would be up next, before appointments open to the remaining to 2.55 million residents over the age of 16, reports the Globe's Adam Vaccaro.

 

The move comes as the state is expecting only a modest increase in vaccines from the feds this week: 170,000 doses, up from 155,000 last week.

 

The better news is that the allotment will include 8,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson's single-shot vaccine. The J&J shipment surprised officials, who had been told not to expect any more J&J this month.

 

Baker had been criticized for prioritizing older residents early in the rollout. But, through that process, the average age of those hospitalized for COVID in Massachusetts has dropped from an average of 73 to 64 years old, the Herald reports.

 

Meanwhile some other states appear to be further along. For example, Connecticut residents 45-up can line up starting Friday and anyone 16-up will become eligible on April 5.

 

And while you’re waiting for Baker’s announcement this morning, you can get in line now for a slot at a state mass vax site by preregistering here.

 

 

Congratulations to John Oliver (Ward 1) and Tarik Lucas (Ward 2) who were elected to the Newton City Council yesterday in a special election to fill two open at-large seats, according to unofficial results.

 

About 23 percent of registered voters cast ballots in the special election.

 

There are a lot of critical issues facing Newton's businesses and nonprofits right now. The chamber looks forward to collaborating with the councilors-elect as we look to rebuild our economy and bring employers and workers back to Newton.

 

Oliver and Lucas will need to run again in November when they, and the other 22 council jobs, plus mayor and school committee will be up for reelection.

 

 

 

As the economy reopens, many of our restaurants report that business is picking up.

 

That’s great news. But keep in mind that our restaurateurs need to recover from a year of lost revenue as they took on debt and depleted saving.

 

Restaurant owners and their teams also need to -- once again -- pivot as they ramp up. They’re balancing new demands: juggling take-out orders, outdoor service and a slowly-growing number of indoor diners.

 

This is all great too. But serving customers who have a variety of comfort levels right now, while training and retraining staff and maintaining protocols requires adaptation and adjustments.

 

They're seeing customers who haven’t dined out in a year. They want to make sure that first time back is a fantastic experience.

 

Finding talent was a struggle for restaurants before the pandemic. Some say its harder now. 97,000 full-time restaurant workers who were furloughed, or left jobs for health or other reasons, last year have yet to return to the industry. Some never will, an issue that will challenge restaurants for years.

 

Then there’s those cuts to the MBTA trains, buses and commuter rails which make it much more difficult for staff to get to jobs in our inner suburban communities.

 

Finally, the same price increases and supply chain problems we're experiencing at the grocery store are cutting into operators’ bottom line. Add to that the rising costs of PPE, take out containers and other operating costs.

 

That’s a long way of saying these restaurants continue to need our business.

 

They also need our patience.

 

If service seems a little slower, or less consistent, or even more expensive, from what we were once accustomed to, know that these folks are busting their behinds, just as they have for the past year.

 

 

Did you ever wonder why Wellesley lacks the small, creative, boutique restaurants that are a big draw in Newton, Needham, Watertown and many other communities?

 

Sure there’s some great, relatively larger, places to dine in Wellesley. But if you’re looking for an intimate meal with the personal touches that, for example, chef David Punch, has brought to Newton, you need to leave town.

 

Turns out Wellesley has a bylaw that prevents any restaurant with 50 or fewer seats from holding a liquor license.

 

Not only is being able to enjoy a glass of wine or beer important to many diners, liquor sales can be the difference between turning a profit or not, for restaurants. And that’s kept some independent operators from opening in town.

 

Next month, Wellesley Town Meeting will consider Article 21, which would remove the 50-seat restriction.

 

And tomorrow (Thurs) at 9 a.m. I will be moderating a panel of restaurateurs about their business in general and how Article 21 might help existing small restaurants and attract new boutique, ethnic and specialty eateries to Wellesley’s commercial areas. 

 

And we’ll brainstorm others ways we can nurture and rebuild the dining scene that can elevate the entire business community.

 

 

 

 

 

The Needham Council for Arts and Culture and the Needham Art Association have been working together to help energize the downtown business area by transforming vacant storefronts into mini art galleries with works by local artists.

 

The first Storefronts Needham project is located at 1502 Highland Ave, the site of the former Lisa’s Boutique. Building owner Sullivan & Co. Real Estate donated the space for the pop-up gallery while it works to secure a new tenant for the property. Until then, the gallery will feature a rotating exhibit of watercolor, acrylic and encaustic paintings by members of the Needham Art Association. 

 

“The Storefronts Needham initiative is a creative way to support the local economy while showcasing the many talented artists we have here in Needham,” said Select Board member Marianne Cooley.

 

“This is an exciting project and we’re grateful for our partners who have helped bring this idea to life.”

 

By the way, Wellesley is launching a similar program for empty storefronts along Central Street. Look for details about that tomorrow.

 

 

Finally today, if there’s a high school senior in your pod, let them know that they only have until April 2 to apply for a chamber scholarship.

 

We’ll be awarding scholarships to three deserving students who either live in Needham, Newton or Wellesley and/or who attend school in Needham, Newton or Wellesley and who have been accepted at, and intend to attend, an accredited college or university in the next academic year.

 

The students selected will have a check (approximately $2,000) sent to their college or university to be applied toward tuition upon successful completion of their first semester.

 

Our scholarship committee looks forward to reviewing their submissions. Details here.

 

That's all for today.

 

President, Newton-Needham Regional Chamber

617-244-1688

Your chamber is here when you need us.