Our downtowns need new ideas--here's one
Our downtowns need new ideas--here's one
Good morning friends,
Ahead of the seven World Cup games scheduled for this summer in Foxborough, the FIFA Boston Host Committee is looking to connect local businesses with major brands and event organizers planning tournament-related events.
Sought-after services include event management, hospitality, transportation, security, sanitation, lighting and event production.
Register your business to be listed in a vetted directory used by national and international partners seeking local vendors.
Our downtowns need new ideas — here’s one
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The Village Bank just announced it’s expanding into Wellesley.
But please don’t dismiss this as just another bank taking over a prime retail location.
Village’s move into the old E.A. Davis building at Church Square is different for three reasons.
First, as nearly every nonprofit and civic organization in Newton will tell you, there’s no employer that’s more philanthropic or more deeply rooted in the Garden City. This isn’t a national bank parachuting in.
Second, the Wellesley branch will include a community room open for civic meetings and local activities—a resource in short supply across our communities.
Third—and this is the big one—Village plans to open a retail incubator inside its new location that’s designed to help jump-start a new generation of retailers and brands at a time when attracting independent merchants to downtowns is harder than ever.
The 725-square-foot pop-up space will be curated by UpNext, a chamber member that has helped launch brands across Greater Boston.
Here’s one example: In 2022, UpNext took over a vacant storefront at 91 Central St. in Wellesley Square and featured a rotating mix of businesses; entrepreneurs with ideas, but not necessarily the capital or resources to open a permanent shop, and a need to test product lines first anyway.
Four years later, brands that launched there have become established businesses.
ChocAllure and Dena Pavone Collection lease spaces just a few doors down the street. Carla Shaw Sustainable Fashion has opened in Newton Centre. Hegehog Belly Designs is in Natick.
Village Bank’s new branch will host a new pop-up every few months, rent-free. President and CEO Joe De Vito says he’s exploring introducing pop-ups at other locations too.
The Church Square location opens this summer. Local start-up can apply to engage with UpNext on its website.
More proof that big science doesn’t need a Kendall Square zip code
Eli Lilly and Co. just bought the “world’s most innovative biotech startup” — and it’s based in Watertown.
The pharma giant has agreed to drop $2.4 billion to acquire Orna Therapeutics, which is developing a technology that allows patients' own cells to generate therapies inside the body, without the need to extract them.
Orna launched with $100 million in Series A venture capital in February 2021.
Shareholders are now set to receive up to $2.4 billion in cash for the deal, including an upfront payment and payments for hitting clinical development milestones, reports Hannah Baratham-Green at the BBJ.
Orna has an estimated 175 employees, working almost entirely at 500 Forge, a Boylston Properties’ building near Home Depot on Arsenal Street that used to house Miller’s Ale House.
Three chances to hear from Wellesley candidates
- The chamber has invited the three candidates running for two open seats on the Wellesley Select Board in the March 3 town election to participate in a virtual debate on Fri. Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. (Registration link coming soon)
- Sustainable Wellesley hosts its Conversation with the Candidates on all things green at Wellesley Free Library’s main branch (530 Washington St.) tomorrow (Weds) at 7pm.
- The League of Women Voters of Wellesley hosts its annual Meet the Candidates Night at the library on Thursday (Feb. 12) at 6:30 p.m.
As pennies fade, lawmaker pitches rounding rule
As pennies quietly disappear from circulation, a state lawmaker is trying to bring some order to the chaos.
Rep. Tackey Chan has filed legislation that would require cash purchases to be rounded to the nearest nickel, creating a uniform statewide standard for retailers and consumers., reports Colin A. Young at State House News.
Tuesday grab bag
- Opponents to a ballot question that (we believe) would devastate the state’s housing supply by imposing one of the strictest rent control laws in the nation have filed a suit asking the Supreme Judicial Court to disqualify the question. (CommonWealth Beacon)
- West Newton’s Mexicana Grill & Cantina (formerly Ninebark) is now open with a new concept, a refreshed menu of traditional and modern Mexican cuisine, and Chef Miguel Candido leading the kitchen.
- Congratulations and well done to Seth Medalie, founder of The Bulfinch Group, who has retired after 32 years of leadership and to the new leadership team of Doug Reiss, Kevin Schneider, and Tom Harmon.
- Here’s LinkedIn’s annual list of Jobs on the Rise in Boston
- In Friday’s newsletter, we incorrectly reported that Watertown had approved zero accessory dwelling units (ADUs) since they were legalized statewide. According to the city officials, Watertown has actually approved at least nine ADUs (more than Needham and Wellesley combined) but it appears the data was never submitted to the state.
- Last week, a federal court ordered the Trump administration to allow members of Congress to make unannounced visits to immigration detention facilities. Yesterday, Congresswoman Katherine Clark (whose district includes Watertown and Wellesley) was turned away from entering the ICE’s Burlington field office. (GBH)
- Could your organization use a fresh perspective? Let a team of Babson entrepreneurial student consultants help your business. More about this free service
- Epilogue Books & Wine, a bookstore by day and a wine bar by night, is planning to open in Natick Center. (Boston Restaurant Talk)
- Mark’s Moving & Storage has opened a “quiet storage” facility in Grafton. Quiet storage refers to storing items and inventory for long periods, not for immediate or regular use. The quiet status reduces traffic impact in the area.
- Commonwealth Payroll & HR is offering a I-9 webinar today (Tues.) at 1 p.m. With increased ICE activity and more audits expected in 2026, issues like missed deadlines, incomplete forms, or inconsistent processes are drawing closer scrutiny.
- Do you have co-workers, customers or know of another business owner who might be interested in receiving this newsletter? Signup here.
Great Plain Ave. redesign survey enters campaign mode
Finally, what began as a sincere effort by the Needham Select Board to gauge how people feel about three proposed redesigns of Great Plain Ave. is quickly morphing into something messier.
Dueling camps are now treating the survey less like civic engagement and more like a political campaign, blasting social media and email lists to lobby for their preferred outcomes.
“We urge you to rank the 2-lane plans and not rank the 4-lane plan (keep it at a 0),” writes Safe Streets Needham.
“Allocate all 10 points for the 4 lane plan and leave the two 2 lane plans at zero on the sliding scale question,” counters Not Our Vision.
Even who should be eligible to complete the survey is contentious. Some want it limited to residents. Others just Needham taxpayers.
At a meeting last week, one merchant worried about 10-year-olds voting, though, to be fair, 10-year-olds will be the ones stuck for 50 years with whatever the grown-ups decide. Oh, maybe they should because of this and this.
Ultimately, the Envision Needham Committee decided that anyone who uses or visits downtown, or might use or visit it, should be heard. (We agree!)
If that sounds like you, here’s the survey. The deadline is Feb. 22.
That’s what you need to know for today, unless you need a break from the demoralizing national news and our trying local weather and just want to enjoy babies giggling.
Max Woolf will be here on Friday.
President & CEO
Charles River Regional Chamber
617.244.1688
I value your feedback
Max Woolf contributed to today’s newsletter.