The Swellesley Report

More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

Wellesley Business Buzz: babysitting app for busy families; Linear Retail expands empire; more pet supplies?

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Our round-up of the latest Wellesley, Mass., business news:

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Wellesley mom connecting parents to trusted neighborhood babysitters

Bambino Technologies, Inc. is expanding into Wellesley to help connect families with local sitters. The launch is being led by Christine Schuldt, a local mom and marketing consultant who knows first-hand how difficult and time-consuming it can be to find trustworthy babysitters.

Bambino is a mobile app that modernizes the way parents find, book, and pay trusted local sitters. Through integrated social connections, parents are connected to babysitters in their own neighborhood, who have already been reviewed and recommended by friends and neighbors. Booking, schedule reminders, and payment all happens right in the app. And sitters have the flexibility to earn money when it works into their own busy schedules.

Now Recruiting Wellesley Babysitters

The first part of the local Bambino launch involves recruiting neighborhood sitters. Local sitters who are interested in flexible, part-time work can learn more about being a Bambino sitter. Note that sitters age 17 and younger require parental permission to join the app.

Linear Retail expands its Wellesley Square empire

Linear Retail, which already owns 48,000 square feet of Central Plaza properties on Wellesley Square’s Central Street (The GAP, etc., buildings), has now snapped up nearly 18,000 square feet of retail buildings on the opposite side of road.

wasik's cheese shop
This retail block is under new ownership

 

Linear, for a cool $17.6M, now owns 61-71 Central Street, which consists of two storefront retail buildings, including an adjoining 60-space parking lot. That property is fully occupied by 7 tenants, including CVS and Wasik’s.

The Seller, Jessica Wolfe, trustee of Berson-Wolfe Realty Trust said in a statement, “The property has been in our family since the 1940’s – for three generations and after careful consideration, we felt selling to Linear Retail was the right thing to do. Linear Retail was very professional to work with. We will miss our community and believe we are leaving them in good hands.”

A new neighbor for Quebrada?

The latest scuttlebutt about the 276 Washington St., space in Wellesley Hills that has been home to Dayton Home and Whole Foods in the past is that a pet supplies business could be moving in. No confirmation on this yet from the property manager.

We’ll keep you posted, but let us know if you’re hearing anything…

former Dayton Homes location at 276 Washington St, Wellesley

MORE: Wellesley Business Buzz

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Wellesley Hills Library Hearthside historical talk: “Lawrence of Arabia”

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The Wellesley Hills Branch Library presents “Lawrence Of Arabia, the Arab Revolt, and The Middle East,” a talk by local historian Bob Begin.

One hundred years ago as WWI was raging, the Allies sought the help of the Arabs in their struggle against the Ottoman Empire.  England promised the Arab forces full control over any lands they had liberated at the war’s end. One factor causing the Arabs to join the Allies was the English archeologist, T. E. Lawrence. Completely taken with Eastern culture, over time he would realize that he could not ‘serve two masters.’ False diplomacy, broken promises, and mistakes made then continue to haunt the world today.

This series is generously sponsored by the Friends of the Wellesley Free Libraries.

WHEN: Thursday, April 25, 2019, 6:30pm – 7:30pm
WHERE: Wellesley Hills Branch Library, 210 Washington St.

Wellesley Junior Women’s Club Wonder Run is May 19

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SPONSORED POST: The big day is coming up as the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club (WHJWC) prepares to welcome runners of all talent levels for its 6th annual Wonder Run 5k and Kids Fun Run on Sunday, May 19. The 5k starts at 8:30am at the Wellesley High School track and takes runners on a scenic tour of town. The Kids Fun Run, also at the WHS track, starts at 9:30am. Think of the Wonder Run as your own personal “Boston Marathon” without all the arduous training and fundraising.  Register here.

One of the great things about the Wonder Run is the wholesome, party atmosphere it brings with it. People run singly, stretching their legs after a long winter, or in large, raucous groups. You’ll see plenty of parents pushing strollers and triumphant kids crossing the finish line of their first-ever 5k. It’s just good, Spring-time fun. To add to the fun and in honor of the Club’s 75th Anniversary, the run will be 70’s “Retro” themed this year – sweatbands and tube socks encouraged!

The Wonder Run 5k and Kids Fun Run are part of Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend. The WHJWC anticipates hundreds of participants and great community support. ALL runners and walkers are welcome, so on your mark, get set, go!

Check out the course map:

Wellesley Hills Junior Women's Club, Wonder Run

Run for fun, run for community

Proceeds generated from the Wonder Run directly support community groups, scholarships for deserving local students and grants to organizations and programs that provide education, enrichment and essential services to members of the surrounding community. In 2018, the Junior Women’s Club awarded $143,000 in scholarships and non-profit grants.

Wellesley Hills Junior Women's Club Fun Run
These girls are ready and set to go on Sunday, May 19 at the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club Wonder Run 5k and Kids Fun Run.

Wellesley Town Band to celebrate American composers

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Wellesley Town Band
The Wellesley Town Band on Sunday, April 28, will pay tribute to some of America’s most loved composers, featuring marches, jazz, Broadway and film music. The free 3pm concert will take place at Wellesley High School, with refreshments served.
Among the composers you’ll hear are Leonard Bernstein (West Side Story), John Philip Sousa (Manhattan Beach March), and George Gershwin (A Tribute to Gershwin, arranged by Jack Bullock).
Under the direction of Wellesley Public Schools’ retired band teacher Henry Platt, the Town Band is in its sixth year of presenting popular and classical wind band music in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.  It began with just 13 musicians, and has grown to over forty today.  The band includes serious amateur musicians ranging from high school age to over 80.
The band will present two additional concerts this spring:  a casual concert at Elm Bank as part of its Gardeners’ Fair on Saturday, May 11, from 12:30-2:30pm, and a rousing concert for the opening of the Recreation Department’s Summer Concert Series on June 19 at 7:00.
The band thanks the Massachusetts Cultural Council for its grant to purchase music and support the upcoming concert.

Easter in Wellesley — church services and Easter egg hunts

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Wellesley.Easter.2018Milestone Church at 42 Elmwood Rd. will have an Open House and Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 20, 9am – 11am. Their Easter Sunday gathering will be held on Sunday, April 21, 9am at the church’s Wellesley location and 10:15am and 11:30am at their 217 West Central St., Natick location.

St. Andrew’s Church at 79 Denton Rd. will celebrate Family Festival Holy Eucharist at 9am and at 11am. Following the 10am service, there will be an Easter egg hunt.

Visit our Where to Worship page for locations and websites of First Church of Christ, Scientist; Metrowest Baptist Church; St. John Church; St. Paul Church; UU of Wellesley Hills; Wellesley Village Church (services and an egg hunt); Wellesley Hills Congregational Church (services, egg hunt, and more); Wellesley Friends.

Of note: Wellesley Free Library is closed on Easter.