The Swellesley Report

Since 2005: More than you really want to know about Wellesley, Mass.

Wellesley business buzz: Harmony Thai Wellness aims to help you to relax; Wicked Clear Ice gets ‘Chronicle’ treatment

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The latest Wellesley, Mass., business news:
 

Harmony Thai Wellness wants you to relax

 
 
Harmony Thai Wellness, which opened earlier this month in Lower Falls (14 Mica Lane, Suite 102), is offering authentic Thai techniques within a modern luxury massage environment.

Chuck Nguyen leads the business side of Harmony,  while his wife, Tayya, and her business partner Nicole are both licensed massage therapists.

“My wife’s inspiration came from seeing a gap between standard massage services and what a truly high-end, intentional wellness experience could be from her time working across multiple different massage businesses,” Nguyen says.

Harmony Thai Wellness
Massage therapists and business partners Tayya and Nicole

 
Nguyen says Harmony is focused from the outset on customized service and consistency, which he says “is something that can be lacking in this industry.”

While Nguyen and his wife live on the south shore, they’ve become familiar with Wellesley over the years from visiting a relative in Framingham several times a week.  “Wellesley felt like the right fit for the kind of experience we’re building,” says Nguyen, a U.S. Marine Corps. veteran who also owns a real estate property management company, and has extensive experience in business leadership, operations, and program management.

The business has two rooms, one with a single massage table and other with two.

Harmony Thai Wellness

Harmony offers both Thai and Swedish massage among its services, including a combination of the two. The difference between the techniques? “Swedish massage is what most people are familiar with—it uses oil, light strokes, and is focused on relaxation and circulation. Thai massage is more interactive and therapeutic. It’s performed with stretching, compression, and movement techniques, often described as ‘assisted yoga. It works deeper into mobility, flexibility, and energy flow,” Nguyen says.

As for what’s hot these days in massage, Nguyen says there’s growing interest in “more therapeutic and results-driven treatments—things like deep tissue work, sports recovery, and modalities such as hot stone and cupping.” There’s also demand for holistic wellness, combining physical relief and mental relaxation, he says.

Harmony is offering $20 off all services as a grand opening promotion.

Harmony’s arrival expands Thai massage offerings in town. Other businesses include Mai Thai Spa in Wellesley Square and Aunjai Thai Massage, which opened earlier this year in Wellesley Hills.

 

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Wicked Clear Ice gets ‘Chronicle’ treatment

 
Wicked Clear Ice, which got its start in a Wellesley home a number of years ago, is now cranking out tens of thousands of its perfectly clear ice cubes and orbs per week.

That’s gotten the attention of local restaurants, retailers (Fells Market carries Wicked Clear Ice products), and cocktail drinkers, and also the long-running TV show “Chronicle.”

“Chronicle” this week aired a segment on Wicked Clear Ice during a show focused on the cocktail industry.


 

 
Know of Wellesley businesses opening or closing? Fill us in: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

     

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black & blue, Wellesley
Olive Tree Medical, Wellesley
taste of wellesley gif

Business buzz: Dover Saddlery closing Wellesley store after 50+ years; Village Bank opens applications for retail incubator

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Big changes in Church Square in Wellesley:
 

Dover Saddlery closing in Wellesley after 50+ years

 

Dover Saddlery, Wellesley
Dover Saddlery, Wellesley. Photo credit: Brice MacLaren

 
Dover Saddlery, a Wellesley institution for more than 50 years, has announced its store at 595 Washington Street will soon be closing. The equestrian equipment and apparel company, based in Littleton, Mass. and operating dozens of locations across the country, has filed a document with the state warning it will be laying off 112 people in July.

According to a post that looks AI-generated on the Wellesley store’s Facebook page: “Our Wellesley, MA store will soon be closing its doors. Thank you for your support and loyalty over the years. Serving you and your horse has truly been our privilege, and we’re grateful for the trust you’ve placed in us. With sincere gratitude, we thank you for riding with Dover and wish you the best on your riding journey.” The store is having a closing sale.

You’d never know anything is amiss by looking at Dover Saddlery’s cheerful website, but the equestrian equipment and apparel company has gone through the private equity gauntlet over the past decade, trying different strategies to expand and strengthen its business.

The Wellesley Celebrations Committee during last year’s Wellesley Wonderful Weekend celebrated Dover Saddlery with a Special Recognition Award for its 50 years of business in town. The recognition write-up in part read:

Dover Saddlery was founded in 1975 by Jim and David Powers, former members of the USET Three-Day Event Team. Fresh from the 1972 Olympic Games in Germany, Jim Powers wanted to offer riders in New England a saddlery shop dedicated to providing a broad selection of the best tack available from around the world. His vision was to use the knowledge he gained from having trained and competed with top international riders to select and develop the best products for horses and riders. Soon, David Powers joined Jim with the idea of making Dover Saddlery’s expertise available to equestrians across the United States with a mail order catalog.

While Dover Saddlery grew rapidly and expanded quickly beyond its first retail store location in Wellesley, Massachusetts, its founding principles of offering world-class service and products remained the focus of the organization. The company is staffed by a team of experienced, dedicated equestrians who understand the needs of horse owners and riders. They know how to “turn out” riders and horses. They know the importance of a comfortable performance breech or a well-fitted saddle and the unbeatable durability of properly tanned leather.
 

 

The Village Bank opens applications for retail incubator

 

village bankThe Village Bank, which expects to open its first Wellesley location at 579 Washington St. this summer, has opened the application for entrepreneurs interested in being considered for a rent-free, 725 sq. ft. retail pop-up space inside the branch.

The bank is partnering with UpNext, which connects property owners with businesses to temporarily use retail spaces, to find candidates for”The Village Shop” space. The aim at the Wellesley location is to feature a rotating series of pop-ups that would operate in the dedicated storefront throughout the year.

This marks the bank’s first such pop-up space for retailers, though future residencies are planned for Needham and beyond.

The Village Bank’s Wellesley branch will also include a community room available to residents during non-banking hours for civic meetings and community activities.

The Village Bank - Rendering_Wellesley branch_The Village Shop 1
The Village Bank rendering of pop-up space at branch

 

 
Know of Wellesley businesses opening or closing? Fill us in: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

Page Waterman, Natick
London Harness, Wellesley
Wonder Run, Wellesley

Wellesley business buzz: Clarity Optical opens in Linden Square; Monster.com founder to headline Chamber’s Spring Business Breakfast

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The latest Wellesley, Mass., business news:
 

Clarity Optical opens in Linden Square

 
Clarity OpticalClarity Optical Linden Square has opened at 200K1 Linden St. in between LaserAway and FP Movement on the Roche Bros. side of the strip. The business focuses on eyewear and vision services for adults and children, in a boutique-like setting. Optometric services include exams, retinal imaging, dry eye treatment, treatment of infections and injuries, and more. The practice accepts multiple insurance plans.

 
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Monster.com founder to headline Chamber’s Spring Business Breakfast

 
Charles River Regional ChamberThe Charles River Regional Chamber’s annual Spring Business Breakfast returns on Friday, May 15 at Needham Sheraton Hotel, attracting business, nonprofit, and civic leaders from Newton, Needham, Watertown, Wellesley, Brookline.

Entrepreneur Jeff Taylor, a Needham High School graduate best known in the business world as
the founder of Monster.com, will talk about the challenges and opportunities in hiring and job hunting today. His latest talent marketplace venture is called Boomband.

The program will also feature a panel of Greater Boston nonprofit leaders discussing how the region is navigating
growing strain on the safety net — from federal funding cuts to inflation and other economic headwinds. Panelists
include reps from Spoonfuls, FamilyAid,  and Cradles to Crayons.

The Charles River Regional Chamber’s Apring Business Breakfast begins with coffee and networking at 7am in the Sheraton courtyard. The
speaking program will begin at 8am. Tickets are available for $100 for Chamber members and $125 for non-members at www.charlesriverchamber.com.

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Longfellow, Wellesley
Haskins Automotive, Wellesley

Blank Street Coffee in Wellesley Square: Opening Day is May 7

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Update: Blank Street is open and lots of people have been lining up, and walking around the Square with green drinks in hand…

Blank Street Coffee opens

Blank Street Coffee opens

Blank Street Coffee

The much anticipated opening of Blank Street Coffee at 61A Central St., in Wellesley Square has now been confirmed by the company for Thursday, May 7.

We first reported in March of 2025 about the business’s plans to expand into Wellesley. Blank Street has dozens of locations along the east coast of the United States, including nine spots in Boston/Cambridge/Brookline, plus many sites in the U.K.

Anticipation grew late last year as a matcha green window covering appeared at the Wellesley Square space, which sits between Wasik’s Cheese Shop and J.P. Licks. Coffee and tea drinkers were already thirsting for a place to go downtown after Starbucks closed in the fall after 30 years in that space across from where Blank Street is opening.

The Linear Retail tenant wound up buddying up with one of its other neighbors, black & blue Steak and Crab to resolve a grease trap installation challenge, and now is set to go.

Blank Street Marketing Director Dibba Iran-Parasti says: “We chose Wellesley for a reason: its charming retail district and buzzing student community (shoutout to Wellesley College and Babson!) made it a natural fit for us. There’s a real energy here that we wanted to be a part of.”

The space is about 1,000 sq. ft. and boasts seating for 18-20 people.

“We really wanted it to feel like a place where neighbors could slow down and settle in, so you’ll find warm tones throughout and intimate seating areas that make it easy to linger over your latte,” Iran-Parasti says.

Various lattes, from Iced Daydream to Iced Blondie, are among patrons’ favorites. Assorted Matchas, from Iced Strawberry Shortcake to Iced Cherry Freeze, also also popular items (matcha drinks are made with finely ground powde from specially grown green tea leaves). Hot and cold coffee, teas, and more are also on the menu.

Blank Street got its start with a coffee cart in Brooklyn.

Blank Street is hiring in Wellesley.  

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Hunnewell Fun Fair 2026
Mass Cultural Council

Business Buzz—the Business Liaison is baaaack—and so is Wellesley in Bloom

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The latest Wellesley, Mass. business news: 

Wellesley Select Board reinstates Business Liaison role

Wellesley Town Hall
Wellesley Town Hall in bloom

In a move aimed at revitalizing communication between local government and the private sector, the Wellesley Select Board officially reinstated the Business Liaison position this month.

The role, which had been phased out in January 2023, traditionally served as a bridge between a Select Board member and the Wellesley business community to act as a primary point of contact for Town Hall staff.

Chair Marjorie Freiman announced the reinstatement during the April 14 Select Board meeting, confirming that Beth Sullivan Woods has been appointed to the role. Sullivan Woods is no stranger to the responsibilities, having previously served as the liaison before the position was discontinued three years ago.

As the designated “conduit of information,” Sullivan Woods’ primary focus will be ensuring that the needs and concerns of the business community are heard by town government. She will provide regular updates to both the Select Board and Corey Testa, the Town’s Assistant Executive Director. 

Wellesley In Bloom starts Saturday, May 2

Wellesley In BloomStarting May 2, Wellesley comes alive with Wellesley in Bloom, a town-wide celebration of spring featuring floral fun, pop-up experiences, and creative collaborations throughout Wellesley’s shopping areas.

Now in its second year, Wellesley in Bloom invites you to stroll through town and discover unexpected moments of beauty, creativity, and local charm.

From floral displays and art installations to more than 50 pop-up experiences and seasonal surprises, businesses and community organizations across Wellesley will bring the spirit of spring to life. Don’t miss the Mahjong & Canasta Social pop up on May 2, at black & blue Steak and Crab, 65 Central St. Mahjong: 10:30am–12:30pm & Canasta: 1:30pm 3:30pm.

About Wellesley in Bloom

Funded by a state grant, the purpose of Wellesley in Bloom is to hold an event that creates a positive community experience and fosters business collaborations.

Do you keep learning new things by reading Swellesley? Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support our work.

Rotary Club, Taste of Wellesley
Planning

Wellesley Lower Falls area to get a study of its own

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The Wellesley Planning Board earlier this month discussed commissioning a visioning study of the Lower Falls Village area, which is ripe for redevelopment in light of large properties changing hands already or expected to before long (see Wellesley Media recording of the April 13 Planning Board meeting, about 10 minutes in). It’s also a challenging area in that it is nearby major highways and plagued by traffic.

This study would be separate, but related to, recent studies like the Strategic Housing Plan and future ones, like a new Comprehensive Plan. A draft request for proposals (RFP) is in the works, and served as a jumping off point for the April 13 discussion (the study could cost up to $50k). A study of this area was conducted in the 1990s.

Brad Downey, interim planning director, said in a follow-up email exchange that “The genesis of this particular study is the result of a few factors: increased activity and involvement from neighbors on future development in the Lower Falls area following the two RIOs proposed at Fall 2024 Town Meeting, as well as the pending sale of many of the Haynes Management properties in that area, which are to be sold to another property owner, likely for redevelopment. The increased neighborhood interest as well as increased likelihood of future development were the two key factors the Planning Board had in mind when considering this study.”

It remains to be seen how soon the RFP will be finalized and issued. Asked about a timeline for issuing the RFP, Downey said at the meeting that “I don’t think there is a particular rush.”)

It can be challenging to keep track of what’s coming up at Wellesley town government meetings. We try to help by posting an agenda preview each week that highlights items we think might be of interest, as we did with this study (See: “Wellesley town government meetings for week of April 13, 2026: Town Meeting debriefs; Lower Falls Area Study Discussion”). Sign up for our free weekday email newsletter to stay plugged in.

The funding for this project comes from the Planning Department operating budget, which typically includes $50,000 each year for retaining professional services, such as planning consulting services to conduct studies.

Toward the beginning of the Planning Board’s discussion, member Jim Roberti shared a map of the Lower Falls area (to be defined as part of the RFP process) to illustrate the hodgepodge of zoning districts within this part of town. There’s business, industrial, Lower Falls Village, Residential Incentive Overlay (RIO), and other zoning in the area covering Walnut, River, and Washington Streets.

Lower falls zoning
Lower Falls zoning map

 
This section of Wellesley has been at the epicenter of discussions at Town Meeting and beyond in recent years about RIOs due to proposed multi-family housing projects that many neighbors opposed for density, traffic, and other reasons. Also, arguments were made that efforts to eliminate RIOs from some parts of town might unfairly burden other parts, namely Lower Falls (Annual Town Meeting recently voted to eliminate RIOs from all districts, not including the four previously approved RIO projects).

In discussing the proposed Lower Falls study, Roberti said “I guess the question’s going to come: Why are we doing this? Are we doing it to restrict this area so less things can be developed? Or are we doing it to regulate what’s going to be built or are we going to encourage more to be built?” Roberti said he’d also been asked about whether Planning envisions doing traffic studies, and he wondered about whether funding would even be available for that.

Board member Ed Chazen asked how this study might fit with a broader Comprehensive Plan the town plans to undertake (it failed to get funding at Annual Town Meeting, but proponents will be back with another request). The Comprehensive Plan would succeed the dated Unified Plan, a long-range vision for future land use, development, and growth across town. The Planning Board’s Tom Taylor said he’d see the Lower Falls plan as being more detailed, getting into issues like traffic flow and parking (maybe turning parking lanes into traffic lanes during certain hours, like in Wellesley Hills, or decking the municipal parking lot on River Street).

“The elephant in the room is the Haynes property that sits right through the middle of this,” Taylor said. “We can have all sorts of great ideas and they can just say forget it, I’m going to build by right…”

Chazen urged that the town get into conversations with the big property owners in the area sooner than later to help ensure that this gateway into town is developed thoughtfully. While many properties are owned by Haynes, or have been sold by Haynes to others, there are also other established property owners in the area (such as at 1 Washington St. along the Charles River) that would need to be looped in.

Roberti pointed out that this a “commercial/business/industrial area that butts right up to a residential area…and I think one of the problems with the RIO is that there wasn’t enough buffer between the improved or changed use and the current residential.”

The board talked as well about needing to get neighborhood input in advance of issuing the RFP and/or as part of the study.

This study would roll out even as new developments proceed in Lower Falls, including a multi-family housing complex at 49 Walnut St., and a First Citizens Bank branch at 26 Washington St. where Taylor Rental used to be.

Business Buzz: TLC Closet opens in Wellesley Square; Prepped & Polished expands to Weston; Rutledge opens Sudbury post

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The latest Wellesley, Mass., business news:

TLC Closet opens in Wellesley Square

TLC Closet

TLC Closet, a medium-to-high-end clothing and accessories consignment shop, has opened at 35 Central St. in Wellesley Square (next to Footstock).

TLC Closet has been on the move. The business started post-COVID in owner Tracy Cohen’s home when she began looking to sell nice clothes that she and her family no longer wanted. She initially did this via Facebook Marketplace, then added an Instagram account to the mix.

“It was a huge hit and people started lining up at my door to buy these wonderful items that were no longer needed in my family,” says Cohen, who shared her story a while back on Instagram.

The success and fun Cohen had doing this, which included reconnecting with people after the pandemic and reselling clothes from others, rekindled her love of being in the fashion industry—she has spent 30 years in it, including in the New York Garment Center.

TLC ClosetLast year, Cohen opened a shop within The Hive, a retail business collaborative in Natick Center, and this spring she has shifted operations to a space of her own at 35 Central St. in the heart of Wellesley Square.

After a 6-month residency at the Hive, Cohen says, “I gained enough confidence to go out on my own just feeling like I needed more space…” She was already doing much of her shopping and marketing in Wellesley.

Asked about what’s hot, Cohen says colorful maxi skirts and dresses are trending for this summer. Also: Up-cycled men’s Ralph Lauren shirts are huge, she says.

“They are either worn tied at the waist open like a jacket or as a cover-up. They want the Ralph Lauren ones with the logo and want them oversized…” What’s more, “a very hot new trend is taking the Ralph Lauren shirts, cutting the bottoms off and finishing them and then taking the extra fabric to create a luminous collar.”

Check TLC Closet’s Instagram account for hours.

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Prepped & Polished expands to Weston

Prepped and Polished has announced the opening of its newest location in Weston. The expansion marks a significant milestone for the educational services company as it establishes a physical presence in a town know for its academic excellence. 

“Weston has always been one of our favorite towns in New England,” Prepped and Polished owner Alexis Avila says. “It is a natural fit for our mission, and we are thrilled to be closer to the wonderful families we have served for so long.”

The new office is located at at 470 Boston Post Road, Suite 201, on the second floor of the Devito Building.

In addition to the new Weston location, Prepped and Polished has offices in Newton, Lexington, and Wellesley, and also offers flexible online tutoring.

Prepped and Polished, Weston
Prepped and Polished, Weston location

More education news:

Rutledge Properties opens Sudbury post

Rutledge Properties is expanding its real estate brokerage business beyond its Wellesley office on Washington Street to Sudbury, at 353 Boston Post Rd. A ribbon cutting is slated for May 5.

The Sudbury office, which will serve Sudbury, Wayland and beyond, launches with anchor agents Rachel Stocker and Nicolette Mascari.

Leadership team pic
Rutledge’s Betsy Kessler, Christine Lawrence & Chip Stella

Know of Wellesley businesses opening or closing? Fill us in: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

My Gym opens in Wellesley Square with activities for babies and kids

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The landscape of youth fitness in Wellesley has a new addition as energetic as a kid before recess. My Gym Children’s Fitness Center has officially opened its doors, offering active play experiences and classes for children from as young as three months up to 10 years old. Located at the former We Rock the Spectrum space in Wellesley Square, My Gym, with over 600 franchised locations worldwide, is all about physical play and developmental growth.

My Gym, Wellesley
The Swellesley Report stopped into My Gym during one of the play spaces rare quiet moments.

Under the leadership of Ryan Debin, CEO and founder of Momentum Enterprises, this new location marks the eleventh My Gym under his corporate umbrella. Debin’s Momentum Enterprises, a Boston-based firm, includes a variety of fitness-oriented ventures such as adult fitness clubs and racquet sports. For Debin, the Wellesley opening is more than just a business expansion.

“Opening our eleventh My Gym location in Wellesley is an exciting milestone for Momentum Enterprises,” says Debin. “Everything we do is rooted in helping families feel connected, supported, and inspired.”

Let’s keep it moving, people

The core philosophy of My Gym is simple: keep kids moving. The curriculum is structured so that there is no sitting or waiting in line. Instead, children rotate through various stations with active supervision from trained instructors.

“Every kid loves the ball pit,” says Craig Semenza, director of operations. “The rock wall is a big hit with the older kids, and we also have the trampoline, which they love.” Semenza says a zip line is expected to be operational by the end of the month, pending the arrival of final safety components.

My Gym, Wellesley
Ball pit

Semenza is currently overseeing the Wellesley start-up, hiring staff and establishing the fun-and-safe vibe of the place. He’ll drop down from a full-time presence in Wellesley to occasional visits before he “slowly fades away” to allow the local team to lead.

Healthy body, healthy mind

The programming at My Gym is built around four core developmental pillars:

  • Cognitive Development:Focusing on following directions and creative problem-solving.
  • Physical Growth:Promoting strength, balance, and agility.
  • Emotional IQ: Building trust, confidence, and self-esteem.
  • Social Skills: Moving from parallel play to teamwork and fostering friendships.

For the youngest participants, the gym serves as a resource for caretakers as well. Semenza observed that parents and guardians often use the class time to discuss learning milestones and share parenting insights.

My Gym, Wellesley

Class structure and accessibility

To ensure safety and personalized attention, My Gym maintains capacity strict limits and instructor ratios. The facility is designed to be family-friendly, welcoming grandparents to participate or watch. There’s also a comfortable entry area with a sofa for parents who need to catch up on work while their children play.

There are no long-term contracts or membership fees, and families can start or pause their enrollment at any time.

For more information on class schedules or to book an introductory session, check out My Gym’s website.

My Gym, Wellesley
Rock wall/parallel bar