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This was fun

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This was fun

Ahoy, mateys,


Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell will be our featured speaker at our 110th Fall Business Breakfast, our biggest business community meeting of the year, Friday, Nov. 7, 8 a.m. at the Newton Marriott.


Group tables and sponsorships are now available. Individual tickets go on sale next week. More speakers to be announced. 


And here’s what else you need to know today, including encouraging housing news, free college in Auburndale and my favorite part about this week’s Newton Business Awards.


Wellesley retailers collaborate to lift each other up

Local businesses in Wellesley Square are doing something we urge retailers in some of our other downtowns and village centers to consider.


Starting next week, at least ten local shops will begin staying open until 7 p.m. on Thursdays, with others staying open even later.


The idea makes sense. In a downtown with a lively nighttime dining scene, why not add a lively shopping scene?


But it’s not something that’s easy for many small business owners to execute.  Our retailers already work long hours and often have limited staff or young families. Plus, in some areas, there are just not enough businesses close enough together to create the needed synergy.


Still, the best way to compete with online retailers and malls is often by offering exceptional customer service, unique products, and the opportunity to look, touch, or try on before purchasing.  Giving restaurant goers and shoppers yet another reason to choose walkable downtown Wellesley could make this a win-win.


I value your feedback.


MBTA Communities ends years of false starts in Needham


It’s true. It was “too effing complicated.”


Still, 180 individuals and families will get a chance to live across the street from the commuter rail, Trader Joe’s and a mix of other restaurants and retailers, thanks to the MBTA Communities Act.  


Redevelopment of the old Carter Building (later Avery Manor and Avery Crossing) in Needham Heights has been stalled for years.


But passing the MBTA Communities Act earlier this year gave the vacant property new life.


South Carolina-based Greystar plans to raise the building and replace it with a three-story, 188,000 SF apartment building. And clearly, part of the appeal is that the project doesn’t need a special permit or a zoning change.


Just like that meeting in Newton on Tuesday when a 750-homes project at Riverside Station drew wide support, there was “minimal public pushback” at a Needham Planning Board meeting this week with Greystar, reports Peter O’Neil at the Needham Observer.


Yes, I’m pinching myself since, as you know, this is not the way these things typically unfold.


Much of the discussion on Tuesday focused on parking. The zoning lowers the requirement to about one space per unit. Greystar wants to reduce it from 189 to 186 spaces to create added open space at the town’s request.


Residents, board members and Police Chief John Schlittler expressed concerns about parking spilling into neighboring streets.


Greystar countered that not every resident is expected to lease a space, citing utilization rates of 60–90% at similar properties they manage, which is also similar to results from an MAPC study.


Greystar hopes to start construction early next year.


Lasell University to offer free tuition


Lasell University in Auburndale will be tuition-free for first-time full-time undergraduate Massachusetts students whose families earn less than $100,000 annually.


“For 174 years, Lasell University has been committed to making a college education accessible to as many people as possible,” said Lasell President Eric Turner in announcing the new policy yesterday. “The Lasell Tuition Commitment ensures that a greater number of talented and motivated students can now pursue their dreams and graduate career ready—without a financial burden.”


The program begins in Fall 2026.


Friday grab bag

  • State Sen. Becca Rausch will host a Small Business Roundtable next Friday (Sept. 26) from 10-11 a.m. in Needham, with Sen. Michael Rodrigues, chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee, to discuss the budget and small business economy. RSVP. for the location.
  • Another coffee shop in Newton Centre? I’ll drink to that! Luna's Cakes and Coffee is now open at the former Starbucks location at 1269 Centre Street.
  • The Small Business Administration is waiving most loan fees for manufacturers, starting Oct. 1. (BBJ)
  • Tune in via Zoom for our Watertown City Council District C debate between incumbent Vincent Piccirilli and challenger Andres Guzman on Monday (Sept. 22) at 1:30 p.m. (Our full debate calendar is here.)
  • One last chance: We’ve extended the nomination deadline for the Wellesley Business Awards to Monday (Sept. 22). Tickets for Wellesley Night, Oct. 15 at Babson College are now available.
  • The Society of St. Vincent de Paul will host its semi-annual Community Clothing and Book Drive on Sunday (Sept. 21) at Our Lady Help of Christians in Newton. Drop-off hours from 8–12 p.m. and 4–6 p.m. Clean, gently used clothing, linens, towels, and boxed or bagged books will be accepted to support local residents in need.
  • Sad to hear that Prana Plants in Newton Upper Falls is closing.
  • The League of Women Voters of Newton will host a forum Oct. 7 (7–8:45 p.m.) at the Newton Free Library on the ballot question to end the city’s overnight winter parking ban.
  • Can I buy you lunch? Refer a business to the chamber, and when they join, we’ll thank you with a $25 gift card to a chamber-member restaurant of your choice

Data privacy law would be the nation’s strictest  

Newton state Sen. Cindy Cream is taking the lead on a proposed data privacy law that’s being touted as the strictest in the nation.


The bill would give residents new power to understand what information companies are gathering, correct any inaccuracies, and opt out of allowing their data to be sold, including for targeted advertising, reports by Chris Lisinski at State House News. (CommonWealth Beacon free post.)


The 33-page bill seeks even tighter limits on personal data for minors and incorporates “best practices” already deployed in other states, said Creem.


Lisinski notes that the proposal will likely face challenges from Facebook, Google and other companies.


The Senate will vote on the bill next week.


Okay, this was fun!

Photos by Nicole Connolly (left and right) and Brian McGonigle (center).


The best part about Wednesday’s Newton Business Awards might have been how incredibly enthusiastic and supportive our 150 or so attendees were.


Folks were literally whooping and hollering, nonstop, in support of our honorees!


Next best were the individuals and businesses we honored, selected through an open nomination process, followed by a combination of public voting and a committee of judges.


In addition, Shara Ertel, owner of Fulfilled Goods, was named Small Business Rising Star and Kelly Comings, executive director of Service Stars, was named Nonprofit Rising Star. (Middle photo)


Thanks to our hosts, the miracle workers at West Newton Cinema Foundation, and our food and beverage purveyors, Floria’s Wine Bar.  


We’re also very appreciative of our sponsors: The Village Bank, The Street Chestnut Hill, Bianca Woodfire Kitchen & Bar and the Bulfinch Group


The Newton Beacon has some great photos


And — thanks to NewTV’s Jenn Adams — you can watch the whole thing, only you’ll have to provide your own popcorn.


And that’s what you need to know for today, unless you need to know why hot dog buns in New England are different — and harder to make — from those inferior buns sold elsewhere.


There will be no newsletter on Tuesday.  Shana Tovah.


Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688


Max Woolf contributed to today’s newsletter.

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