Search Results for: clementine

Orange you glad Clementine has moved to Church Square?

February 19, 2018 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Clementine, Wellesley — The sign says Xylem, but the store is actually Clementine, which has moved from Wellesley Hills to 30 Church St.

Clementine women’s clothing boutique has made its move from just off of Rte. 9 in Wellesley Hills to Church Square. The exterior sign over the 30 Church St. space may still say Xylem, but don’t be fooled. Outside, the bright orange paint on the door simply shrieks Clementine. Inside, the space is in a fresh state of transformation, with one lovely nod to the previous owner’s excellent eye for design — in evidence are former Xylem proprietor Madalene Sullivan’s signature white display frames. That must be good feng shui or something.

The Church Square shopping area has undergone significant changes over the past year; currently the former Terrazza, Blue Ginger, and Susu are shuttered. Smith & Wollensky is quickly filling up dumpsters as it renovates the former Blue Ginger space and expects to open in Spring. We’ve heard rumors here and there about what’s going into Terrazza and Susu, but time will tell.

MORE: Wellesley businesses that came and went in 2017

easter display xylem wellesley — These display circles used to hold all manner of fun gifts at Xylem. They’ve been reincarnated by Clementine owner Judi Rizley to display high-end shoes, bags, and other boutique items. Clementine has moved from Wellesley Hills up to 30 Church St. and is open for business.

Clementine moving to new Wellesley location

January 4, 2018 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Clementine, the women’s clothing boutique with the familiar orange awning just off of Rte. 9 in Wellesley Hills, is making the move to Church Square.

“We are happily moving to Church St, hopefully mid to end of February. The news is spreading and the feedback has been extremely positive, making us even more excited!” says owner Judi Rizley, whose shop has been in its current Wellesley location for 9.5 years.

The business currently has Sale signs in its windows.

As for Church Square, the shopping area has undergone significant changes over the past year, and ended 2017 with retailers Xylem and Terrazza announcing their plans to close.

MORE: Wellesley businesses that came and went in 2017

Save the date: “Fall into Wellesley Square” fundraising & shopping event, October 17 – 20

October 14, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

SPONSORED POST: The Wellesley Square Merchants’ Association is getting ready for its big “Fall into Wellesley Square” fundraising/shopping event Thursday, October 17 through Sunday, October 20. During those four days when you shop at participating stores, a portion of their proceeds will support one of three Wellesley community partnerships. In addition, some stores are adding extra specials.

Here’s the fundraising breakdown:

Central Street stores will support all Wellesley PTOs

Participating Central Street stores will donate a portion of their proceeds during “Fall into Wellesley” to support all Wellesley PTOs. Thanks to the Wellesley PTO’s, schools are able to provide Creative Arts & Sciences programs, fund all field trip costs including buses, supply new library books and audio/visual equipment, and more.

PTOs that will benefit from your shopping support: Bates, Fiske, Hardy, Hunnewell, P.A.W.S., Schofield, Spraque, Upham, Wellesley High School, Wellesley Middle Schoo.l

Church Square stores will support Friends of the Wellesley Council on Aging

Participating Church Square stores will donate a portion of their proceeds during “Fall into Wellesley” to support Friends of the Wellesley Council on Aging (FWCOA). The FWCOA provides financial support for enhanced facilities, programs, activities, and other needs for the Wellesley Council On Aging.

Grove and Washington Streets stores will support the Wellesley Free Library Foundation

Participating Grove and Washington Streets stores will donate a portion of their proceeds during “Fall into Wellesley” to support the Wellesley Free Library Foundation. The Foundation’s goal is to enrich tax-based support for the Library through gifts, grants, and bequests from individuals and organizations. Through donations, the Foundation provides additional copies of high demand books, technology and building improvements, and operation of the privately funded Fells Branch Library.

All this and free parking, too

The Board of Selectmen has waived parking fees at all 2-hour meters (on street and lots) in Wellesley Square for this Thursday – Saturday event.

[Read more…]

Wellesley businesses that came & went in 2018

December 22, 2018 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Wellesley saw its share of businesses coming and going in 2018, but the biggest change took place at the Belclare complex on Washington Street on the edge of Wellesley Square, where it was almost all about businesses coming.

The luxury condos at the Belclare filled up in a hurry back at the end of 2015, but the retail spaces remained mostly vacant, despite a few close calls.

Sure, Thirst Juice, located on the Grove Street side of the Belclare complex, did have its last kale in January. Later in the year, however, salon Atelier opened on that same block, and the real action took place on the Washington Street side. There, the Agnes Vision optical shop, Barber Walter’s, Laer Realty Partners, La Mia Moda boutique, CouCou kids’ clothing/fashions/housewares, Legit Activewear all opened for business. Pucker Gallery also made a cameo appearance.

belclare wellesley — The Belclare retail strip during a recent block party

On the food front, the big news was Bertucci’s closing suddenly in May, part of a corporate meltdown. While the space behind Playhouse Square remains vacant, White’s Bakery is expected to open soon in the former bank space at that corner of Wellesley Hills. The other big restaurant news was steakhouse Smith & Wollensky opening its first suburban location in Wellesley, in the former Blue Ginger space. Big shoes to fill, big wallets to empty.

Smith & Wollensky, Wellesley — Smith & Wollensky al fresco

Sweetgreen has been doing a steady business in Linden Square since it opened in early 2018, and nearby, The Cottage refurbished itself. The Cottage owners are also prepping for Door No. 7, a fancier restaurant across the street, to open soon. Mark’s Pizza & Subs closed and that building was razed to pave the way for a refurbished Papa Razzi.

Mark’s is busy readying for its new location nearby at 10B Washington St.

Fiorella’s, a fast casual Italian eatery, is aiming for a February opening at the former SuSu’s spot across from the Belclare.

Orangetheory might sound like food, but the fitness joint that opened in Wellesley Square is actually a solution to burn calories. New businesses like this are sure to keep Swellesleyites beautiful. And while id. Salon closed its doors in Wellesley Hills, Le Vernis Nail Studio opened in the old 2nd Time Around space in Wellesley Square.

On the fashion front, Fat Face opened in Church Square and Crane & Lion moved into the former Talbots spot in Wellesley Square.

Zoots earned recognition as the most classless closing of the year in Wellesley (2 locations) and beyond, leaving people in a lurch to start 2018, forcing some to drive to the back of beyond to pick up their belongings. Neither Zoots space in Wellesley has been filled yet.

Alfredo’s Hair Design, near the Lower Fall Zoots, also closed its doors after 30 years (and the word is that Mark’s Pizza & Subs could resurface there).

Alfredo's, Mark's Pizza

Some Wellesley businesses changed locations. Among them: Lyn Evans and Clementine (in the former Xylem space), both in Church Square. FLX Training, formerly near Clementine in that strip between Rte. 9 and Rte. 16, slid down to Linden Square. Page Waterman moved its framing and gallery business to an expanded space on Washington Street. Home Decor Group replaced C & T Paint on Linden Street.

Speaking of decor, Patti Bros., has left Wellesley Square to retrench at its Sudbury base. Miele shut down its Wellesley Square shop.

Other new faces in Linden Square include Verizon, Code Ninjas and Kenzie & Hope. The latter is a fresh twist on Kenzie Kids, which new owner Shani DeFina says re-opened in August after renovations, and is refocused on clothing, gifts and accessories for teens and young women. DeFina says she’ll aim to bring in brands that give back to the community.

One summer shocker involved Miss Michelle’s Center for the Performing Arts clearing out of Linden Square after 10 years following an unsuccessful lease renewal. A dog grooming business called Pampered Puppies is moving in. Linden Square also bid adieu to French Lessons, a tenant for 12 years.

miss michelle's wellesley 1

And finally, let’s not forget that Red Apple Convenience store peeled out as mysteriously as it operated.

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Wellesley Business Buzz: Alfredo’s out after 30 years; FLX Training on the move

May 5, 2018 by Bob Brown 1 Comment

The latest in Wellesley, Mass., business news:

Alfredo’s out

Alfredo’s Hair Design will be closing its doors after 30 years in business at 10 Washington St. in Wellesley Hills, behind the former Zoots location (that business shuttered its doors in January, eventually allowing customers the privilege of picking up their clothes for one day only in February).

Alfredo’s owner Kimberly Chicco says she was blindsided by the news that she would have to clear out by May 31. “I’m really upset about it,” Chicco said. “My landlord gave me two months to get out. I had no choice to stay. I really had planned on staying here until I retired. I don’t know where I’m going, but I’m going to take a little time and think about it.”

Chicco will be missed by her loyal customer base, who valued her skills with the scissors, fair rates, and easy conversation. Be sure and let us know your next move, Kimberly.

Alfredo’s Wellesley

FLX Training relocates

FLX Training is moving up the street to 159B Linden St. after ten years at 443 Worcester St. in Wellesley Hills. The fitness/wellness business offers help with weight loss, strength, athletic improvement, and overall healthy lifestyle strategies through group personal training classes.

Another business that has recently left that small strip is Clementine women’s clothing boutiqe, which moved to 30 Church St. in February.

Adjacent to the now vacant FLX Training and Clementine spaces, Nails Studio and Anthony’s Barbershop are still open for business at the spot across from Clock Tower Park, where the town and the Hills Garden Club of Wellesley are in the process of installing a labyrinth.

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Wellesley Business Buzz: Shake-up on Worcester Street block; Zoots Day coming up

January 27, 2018 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Nails Studio Wellesley — Nails Studio remains under its existing ownership, but the building has a new owner

While we reported earlier this month that women’s clothing boutique Clementine would be leaving its space at 445 Washington St. near Rte. 9 in Wellesley for Church Square, it turns out all sorts of gyrations are taking place on this retail block that sits next to Larry Ng’s former gas station and repair shop. The 445-451 Worcester St. building, whose tenants since the late 1800s have sold everything from rugs to hardware to shoes according to local historian Josh Dorin, is under new ownership and that’s resulting in changes.

First, though, Anthony’s Barber Shop at 449 Worcester St., wants to emphasize that it is staying put and has signed a new 5-year lease. “Thanks to all the loyal customers and friendships made, we wouldn’t have it any other way,” according to a message we received from the shop.

Nails Studio at 451 Worcester St., had undergone an ownership change when the building changed hands, and patrons were seeking to learn where their favorite employees had gone. But word is that Nina Pham, whose sister Tammie previously owned Nails Studio, worked out a new lease in February to keep the business intact.

The future for FLX Training (443 Worcester St.), which just celebrated its 10-year anniversary, is murkier, but we’re told the business is in the process of finding the best solution that will allow it to remain part of the Wellesley community so that FLX can continue serving its loyal clientele.

Zoots Day: Feb. 2

Dry cleaning disaster Zoots reportedly will re-open for one day, Feb. 2, so that customers can retrieve their stuff. For those unable to swing by that day, expect items to be brought to a central place for pick-up.

The company, which has 2 stores in Wellesley, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy last week.

Wellesley mourns passing of 2016 WHS grad Justeen Francis

June 28, 2017 by Bob Brown 2 Comments

A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to cover burial/funeral services for Justeen Francis, a 2016 Wellesley High School graduate who passed away unexpectedly on June 25 from a viral infection.

Justeen Francis, Wellesley High 2016 Francis, who lived in Mattapan, had worked as a camp counselor and was on break from Curry College, where she was studying criminal justice.

METCO K-12 Director Kalise Wornum wrote in a note to the Wellesley High community, “For those of you who knew Justeen, we ask that you remember and celebrate her winning smile, the ability to unite communities, and wonderful sense of humor. For those of you who did not know Justeen, we ask that you respect our sadness and support us with your understanding. It is very difficult for all of us to face the death of a young person.”

Wellesley High Principal Jamie Chisum also shared his thoughts on Francis, noting that they had a playful relationship (he flipping down her hood in the hallway). But Chisum also enjoyed seeing Francis become “a young woman of quiet and determined strength. Justeen was confident.”

Services for Francis will be held on Saturday, July 1 at the Davis Funeral Home, 654 Cummins Highway, Mattapan.

If you would like to send a card of condolence, please mail to:

Ms. Clementine Francis (grandmother)
6 Meadowbank Road
Mattapan, MA 02126