Since 2005: More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.
Daylight Saving Time kicks off this weekend, so don’t forget to “spring ahead” by an hour any clocks that don’t automatically reset on Saturday night heading into Sunday, March 8.
This is also a good time to check your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. Replace smoke alarms after 10 years, and CO alarms based on the manufacturer’s recommendation (typically 5, 7, or 10 years). Always check the manufactured date on the back of the unit. Replace alkaline batteries in alarms that require them.
The latest Wellesley, Mass., business news:
The wait is over: Down Under, Wellesley’s newest yoga, pilates, and fitness practice space is celebrating its grand opening March 13-15 with a weekend of free classes (sign up here) and special events at 159 Linden St. Down Under reps say the studio, “refines what it means to set a new standard in yoga education and studio experience.”
In Natick’s utilitarian 9/27 strip mall, home to Stop & Shop, Advance Auto Parts, Staples, and other essential spots, over 15 restaurants opened up earlier this month, but it’s not exactly how it sounds.
Wonder has opened what can seem like a confusing business model at first, but in reality is simply a single place to order nearly everything you might want to eat via pick-up, delivery, or dine-in.
Picture this cozy family scene: it’s takeout night, and everyone is excited. The kids demand pizza. Mom wants poke. Dad could go for a burger. Are we really going to order from three different places? Suddenly, dinner plans seem more glum than yum at the prospect of a multi-stop pickup run—or hunkering down, but paying delivery fees times three.
Good heavens, it would be easier to just cook up a pot of spaghetti (again) and tell everyone to be thankful they’re fed.
Here’s the Wonder concept: everyone gets exactly what they want, in a single order and a single delivery, with $0 delivery fees. When an order is placed online or via the app, Wonder’s kitchen assembly line model—a wonder in itself—kicks into action.Team members mix and match chef-inspired meals from multiple restaurant menus in one order. Many hands on the line make light (and quick) work, while efficient, secure packaging keeps hot things hot, and cold things cold.
The delivery radius is pretty tight. Some fiddling with the app revealed that delivery to Wellesley addresses is pretty limited. But maybe your house is one of the lucky ones.
We went to the grand opening, where servers passed around a selection of flavorful and fun boneless wings from Wing Trip. Among the items we ordered: a beef kabob dish ($22) from Maydan that featured a handful of spice-rubbed beef chunks topped with a sweet-and-sour sauce. The flatbread that came with it was not to be overlooked either.
Wellesley restaurants that have partnered with Wonder include The Local, Rice Burg, Singh’s Cafe and Shake Shack. Other area faves are available as well, such as Mel’s Commonwealth Cafe (Wayland); Mexicali Cantina Grill (Natick); and Tennessee’s Real Barbeque (Framingham).
Some places we haven’t heard of, but that have quite a following in other regions, include Walnut Lane; Streetbird by Marcus Samuelsson; and The Mainstay by Marc Murphy. And popular chains such as Bertucci’s and KFC are on offer.
An advantage to restaurants of partnering with Wonder is the opportunity to leverage an additional channel to reach new customers and increase their businesses through the Wonder platform. A disadvantage is the commission fees, widely reported as up to 30%.
Ready to saddle up? First, download the Wonder app. Make sure to check the web or ask the staff for any promo codes on your first order. Now it’s time to peruse the menu and make your choices, including whether you want to pick up, get free delivery, or dine in The 3,420 sq. ft. restaurant comfortably seats about 35. Expect a clean, brightly lit space and a lot of movement as the pick-up crowd comes and goes. So maybe not a bistro experience, but the garage-style doors will go up in the summer, which will be fun.
Wellesley restaurants—more than 50 options
Natick restaurants—more than 70 options
We’ve enjoyed Fireside Tavern’s classic American tavern offerings several times since Sherborn resident Laura Robbins opened the 33 North Main Street spot in 2024.
Now Robbins has revitalized the space located directly above the Tavern, renovating the square footage into four thoughtfully designed private guest rooms and bathrooms. The rooms at The Inn at Fireside Tavern are named Orchard, Pond, Farm, and Forest, to reflect the beauty of the town’s surrounding environment. Inn guests share a central, cozy living and dining area—the perfect spot to gather before or after enjoying a meal downstairs. The Inn is accessible via stairs only.
We keep an eye from afar on Michael Thorbjornsen, the former Wellesley High school student who has gone on to become a professional golfer. We regularly get email updates from readers whenever the 24-year-old golfer is high on the leader board.
This week we received photos from Dr. Mark Stasaitis and Peter Lorenz, who had the chance to see Thorbjornsen in action at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando. Thorbjornsen was two under par through first-round play, putting him in a tie for 18th place.
In the final weeks of the winter season, Massachusetts residents are finding it increasingly more difficult to heat their homes, as a colder-than-average season continues and fuel costs rise due to global turmoil.
But there is still time to apply for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), a critical resource that helps eligible households pay for winter heating costs.
The free statewide program assists eligible residents with covering heating costs, providing supplemental funding that allows eligible renters and homeowners to keep their homes safe and warm.
Bay Staters can learn more about eligibility and apply for HEAP by visiting mass.gov/heat.
Wellesley Wonderful Weekend, set for May 16-17, will get a jump on the celebrating the 250th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
That milestone is commemorated in the Wellesley celebration’s logo and will be recognized throughout the spring weekend, which features one-time events as well as traditional ones such as the Veterans Parade, municipal open houses, and fireworks.
“At its heart, Wellesley Wonderful Weekend is a celebration of unity” said Carl Nelson, a Wellesley Celebrations Committee board member, in a statement. “While America is vast and diverse, its strength begins in communities like ours—in town centers, along parade routes, and in shared moments of connection and joy. As we gather to mark 250 years since our nation’s founding, we celebrate not only America’s past, but Wellesley’s enduring spirit.”
The Wonderful Weekend actually kicks off on Thursday, May 14 with a special concert at Wellesley Hills Congregatonal Church highlighting Katharine Lee Bates of “America the Beautiful” fame (Bates was a graduate of Wellesley High School (then called Needham High School) and Wellesley College). The concert will feature musical performances by the Wellesley Symphony Orchestra, the Wellesley Town Band, and the Wellesley Choral Society, plus dramatic readings.
On Saturday, May 16 more than 30 free community events will be offered, including open houses at the police and fire stations, and the touch-a-truck spectacular at the Department of Public Works. The day starts with the Pancake Breakfast organized by the Kiwanis Club of Wellesley and also features the Pups in the Park event organized by the Rotary Club of Wellesley.
Also on Saturday: Re-enactments of the creation and writing of The Declaration of Independence with Ben Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson will be held at Wellesley Town Hall, and of the famous ride of Paul Revere/William Dawes. An encampment of Patriots will be present at Town Hall and the British Artillery will be at Morton Field with live cannon fire.
On Sunday, May 17, the morning begins with the Wonder Run 5K race and Kids Fun Run organized by the Wellesley Hills Junior Women’s Club, as well as an Antique Car Show organized by the Modifiers Car Club of Wellesley on Central Street. Later, residents will line the streets for the 58th Annual Wellesley Veterans Parade, honoring those who have served our country and recognizing the organizations and individuals who serve our community. Wellesley Country Club is sponsoring the parade.
The weekend culminates with an evening concert, community picnic, and fireworks display at Hunnewell Field on Washington Street.
Those interested in sponsoring any weekend events may contact the Wellesley Celebrations Committee at wellesleycelebrations@gmail.co
EVENT: Wellesley Service League Men’s Group Speaker Series
SPEAKER: Paul Cramer
TOPIC: Negotiation & Conflict Resolution Expert Negotations in the International, Domestic & Personal Arena
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, March 10, 2pm
LOCATION: Wellesley Friendly Aid, 219 Washington St., Wellesley
SPONSOR: Wellesley Service League
DESCRIPTION: Renowned negotiation expert and Wellesley resident Paul Cramer will share his expertise in negotiations and dispute resolution in the international, domestic and personal arena.
Trained at the Harvard Negotiation Project by Professor Roger Fisher, co-author of Getting to YES, Paul’s experience includes a breadth of negotiation, mediation, and facilitation in which he has successfully advised individuals, corporate executives, diplomats and government officials as well as NGO leaders and labor representatives on the most effective strategies in building an “interests-based” negotiation to achieve solutions that satisfy all parties better than walking away.
Paul has settled complex litigation, facilitated restructuring negotiations for large commercial transactions, and mediated between antagonistic parties. Across many fields including healthcare to the building of civil society in Iraq through a conflict resolution program encompassing multi-government officials, clerics, and other influential parties, Paul has worked in over 40 countries around the world.
Please join us for an informative and engaging discussion in which Paul will share guidance on applying these approaches to solve some of our daily challenges. Senior men from Wellesley and surrounding communities are invited for refreshments and conversation. Guests welcome.
Please email Julie Barron or Jennifer Scheer Lieberman for more information juliefbarron@gmail.com or scheerdecor@comcast.net
SPONSORED CONTENT: It’s that exciting time of year again—time to register your children for summer camp. Most programs have their sign-up links ready to go, so now’s the time to jump on things, before spaces fill up.
The Swellesley Report’s Summer Camps page lists over 100 programs from local day camps to overnight adventures.
Thanks to NEOC for their swell sponsorship of our Summer Camps page. NEOC sparks and stokes the excitement, discovery, and fun children have while outside and builds their understanding of nature, where kids explore and play outside at an easy pace, without any technology at all.
Don’t see your camp listed, or want to update your current listing? Contact us at theswellesleyreport@gmail.com
What’s a mere 26.2 miles along the Boston Marathon course cheered on by thousands of people once you’ve already knocked off all 189 miles of Wellesley’s streets and trails, many by yourself and sometimes in a couple feet of snow?
First-time Boston Marathoner and 21-year Wellesley resident Kevin Clark is about to find out come Marathon Day on April 20.
Like many local runners, the pandemic initially inspired Clark to explore more of the town just as a way to get out of the house and do something. Then he kept going and going and going…
Now he’s 86% through all of Wellesley’s streets and trails—and when we say all, we mean all. He’s not just dipping a toe onto a street and calling it done. He’s running the full street or trail.
“I’ve enjoyed visiting neighborhoods I never knew including Standish and Sheridan Estates, along with the trails leading to our neighborhood schools. I enjoy seeing the look on people’s faces when I come through on dead ends and cul de sacs that see little traffic or strangers,” Clark says. “I once worked as a milkman and I like to run to all our public schools on a run I call the “Milkman’s Route.”I also was surprised to find some steep hills tucked in throughout the town and forests.”
Clark is running the Boston Marathon in memory of his and his wife’s son Harry and on behalf of the Community Fund for Wellesley, which provides essential grants to address both emergent and ongoing needs within the Wellesley community. Clark hopes you’ll contribute to the cause to provide him with extra incentive to finish all the Wellesley miles and then crank out a fast Boston Marathon in April.
Contribute to Kevin Clark’s Boston Marathon run on behalf of the Community Fund for Wellesley
Both goals have been extra challenging during this snowy and icy winter with “many sidewalks impassable or sketchy,” Clark says.
Clark has used an app called Wandrer to track his miles across Wellesley. It gamifies things by awarding points for new roads and trails covered. It also sync with Strava, a popular app that Clark uses to track various activities.
Related: More Boston Marathon bios of Wellesley runners raising funds for good causes.