Wellesley-area Automotive Services spotlight—keep your car in top condition, safely

April 1, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

The Baker-Polito Administration has listed Automotive Services shops as transportation-related organizations that provide essential services and workforces related to COVID-19. As such, these businesses may continue to operate brick and mortar facilities. These essential businesses are following social distancing protocols for workers in accordance with guidance from the Department of Public Health.

So if you’ve been meaning to get that work on your car done, now is the perfect time to go forward. All the businesses below are following safe protocol including:

thorough cleanings of all facilities daily
staff training with specific instructions on hand washing and the importance of staying home if they are not feeling well
adhering to the recommended six feet of social distance from other staff and customers

Haskins Automotive

Haskins Automotive is open for business! Offering complimentary pick-up and drop-off of your vehicle for any service. All cars being disinfected before and after drop-off. Check out some awesome specials at www.haskinsautomotive.com/specials We are also offering FREE OIL CHANGES for first responders and emergency room workers! Stay safe everyone! “Integrity Is Our Greatest Asset”

Quinlan’s Automotive

During the Massachusetts stay-at-home advisory, Quinlan’s Automotive will be open for auto repair service. Understanding the financial situation this puts our current and potentially new customers in, we’ve decided to reduce the labor rate to $70 per hour. I’ve arranged key drops and over the phone credit card transactions to minimize interactions with one another and, arranged to disinfect vehicles steering wheels, door handles and ignition keys. Conventional Oil changes have been reduced to $24.99 and Full Synthetic Oil Changes will be $39.95. Stay safe everyone, and we hope to see you all again somewhat soon.

Bernardi Volvo Cars Natick

First and foremost, we want you to know that we value the health and safety of our customers and staff. As a business, Bernardi Volvo Cars Natick is taking the extra steps necessary to maintain a healthy and sanitary workplace while still meeting our customers’ needs. Our Service Department hours are Monday – Friday, 8am – 1pm. No matter the department you’re looking to reach, we have staff available to answer your questions and assist with your needs. You can connect with a member of our team by phone at 888-470-5335 or through our website.

Wellesley Toyota

Wellesley Toyota is open for business. Service Department temporary hours are: M-F 8am-4pm; Sat. 8am-noon. All service/repairs available. We encourage free, ‘no contact’ pick-up/drop-off from your home if your vehicle needs service. Our showroom is closed until April 7, but we can safely bring car to you for a test drive, appraisal and paperwork. Shop online – we’ll respond to all inquiries. As a family-owned business, we’ve proudly served the Wellesley community for 30 years. We encourage you to shop local and help each other out. Together we will get through this.

[Read more…]

Wellesley Business Buzz: Painting Place keeping kids busy at home; Blush Tan studio makeover

March 23, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Our round-up of the latest Wellesley, Mass., business news, against a backdrop in which Gov. Charlie Baker has ordered non-essential businesses to shut down their on-premises operations.

Got tips on business openings, closings or whatever, feel free to email us here: [email protected]

Also email us if you’re interested in sponsoring our weekly Wellesley Business Buzz roundup

(An earlier version referenced a special guest appearance by former Wellesley business Boloco, but that’s no longer happening, per the town…)

The Painting Place keeping kids busy at home

March 1 marked The Painting Place‘s 1-year anniversary in Wellesley, after its move from Needham. But the first month of the pottery painting and crafts hotspot’s second year here hasn’t exactly been what owner Samara Helfman expected.

“It was like Cheers in here! Friendly, welcoming, warm and just a happy place! Now I’m like a doggy in the window waving to customers picking up to go orders on our outside table,” says Helfman, who has been heartened by customers posting pictures of kids painting at home. “But boy, do I miss helping them celebrate birthdays and special events.”

Overall, The Painting Place is coming up on its 20th year in business this fall.

“We have seen a lot and have adapted to many different times. Clearly nothing like this. Is it scary? The unknown. Yes! But I think it’s making us all slow down and appreciate what we do have,” Helfman says. It’s made her realize how much she loved her old job, whereas now feels more like work, more of an assembly line. But Helfman says she is grateful The Painting Place’s to-go kits are keeping kids busy at home and freeing up parents to do their own work.

painting

Blush Tan studio makeover

Blush Tan, located in that cozy alley between Lorraine and Comina on Washington Street in Wellesley Square, is temporarily in that yellow house on Grove Street across from Truly. The business hopes to be showing off its revamped Washington Street studio later this spring.

blush

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Wellesley Business Buzz: How we can help; J. Todd Gallery closing; MBTA cuts back schedule; Wellesley Dental closed through April 7; E.A. Davis navigates new reality

March 16, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

The latest round-up of Wellesley, Mass., business news, all of which, not surprisingly, is coronavirus (COVID-19) related.

How can we help?

We’ve had many inquiries and ideas shared by Swellesley readers over the past few weeks regarding what we might do, beyond our regular reporting, to help businesses in town survive and thrive in spite of the forced and voluntary shutdowns that face them.

One idea we had was to reach out to a handful of likely suspects to see if they might like to share what’s going on behind the scenes at their operations during this period on a regular basis. We’d then roll up their experiences into reports to keep patrons up to speed on what and how these local businesses are doing.

How are they dealing with employees, customers and suppliers? What are the realities of things like business insurance? What’s it actually like running these businesses when the businesses are either closed or transforming to online only? Share photos. If you’d like to take part in this, please reach out: [email protected]

Cathy Tai from Kidville shared this with us Monday:

“2 staff members on Monday packaged ‘Bag ‘O Fun’ St. Patty’s Day activity grab bags for children 18 months to 6 years to pick up in front of our store. We are at the moment, trying to spread a little joy during this time!,” says Tai, who notes that the packages were “Made with love (and gloves!)”

Kidville St Pattys

J. Todd Gallery closes

J. Todd Gallery, located at 572 Washington St., has announced it is closing on March 25 “due to the current situation we are all experiencing.”

There’s a possibility the business could re-open in the fall, according to Mona Kumar, who has owned the gallery since 2015. It’s always been a fun surprise to see would be in the window display at this shop.

J Todd Collection

MBTA reduces schedule

From the MBTS:

The MBTA and Keolis Commuter Services (Keolis), the agency’s operating partner for Commuter Rail, announced today a Reduced Service Schedule effective Tuesday, March 17. This service level provides a public transit option for people with essential travel needs, such as medical professionals and emergency responders, while helping to limit the spread of COVID-19 by encouraging people to practice social distancing and work-from-home when possible.

The Commuter Rail Reduced Service Schedule is available at www.MBTA.com/coronavirus and will proactively be handed out at major stations, such as North Station, Back Bay Station and South Station, on March 16 and available at ticket offices upon request. The Reduced Service Schedule applies to all lines and the modifications, while limited, support periods of peak travel while providing off-peak options throughout the day.

The MBTA and Keolis are implementing this Reduced Service Schedule based on guidance from public health officials as a measure to help protect passengers and Commuter Rail employees from the spread of COVID-19. As further precaution to limit the spread of coronavirus, the MBTA and Keolis are encouraging passengers to purchase tickets at ticket offices, vending machines or the M-Ticket app to limit the use of cash whenever possible.

Keolis and the MBTA will provide updates on service to passengers via Twitter at @MBTA_CR, MBTA.com, T-Alerts, station signage and onboard announcements.

Wellesley Dental Group closed through April 7

Wellesley Dental Group is doing its part to stop the spread of COVID-19 by closing through April 7th.

The Seaward Rd. office will be open for emergency appointments only. If you are in a dental emergency, please call the 24-hour emergency line at 781-237-9071. That number may also be used Mon. – Fri., 8am – noon for non-emergency calls.

Dr. Femina Ali said, “During this time, we will continue to compensate our employees — the people that make Wellesley Dental Group so special. Over the next few weeks, we’re figuring out how to best help our community. From engaging in public health dialogue to assisting local non-profits, we’re doing everything we can to keep our community — especially those most vulnerable — safe, protected, and taken care of.”

E.A. Davis navigates new reality

E.A. Davis, the longtime clothing and interior design shop on Washington Street, has temporarily closed as of Monday in light of the COVID-19 situation.

“We have so many wonderful customers and staff that are in a higher risk category. We thought it would be prudent to keep everyone home as we develop our strategy,” say owner Rob Skolnick. “Our interior decorators are working on projects at home, and in our studio working independently. We plan on enhancing our at home design service by delivering samples of fabrics and wall coverings to our clients doorsteps so we can continue to create their dream home.”

Keep an eye on their social media accounts for more updates.

E.A. Davis has temporarily closed the shop since this sign went up

Got tips on business openings, closings or whatever, feel free to email us here: [email protected]

Also email us if you’re interested in sponsoring our weekly Wellesley Business Buzz roundup

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Wellesley Merchants argue against fur ban bylaw, cite slippery slope

March 15, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Nearly two months ago we interviewed a Wellesley College professor and town resident about a citizen petition she filed to ban fur sales in Wellesley. At the time, the Wellesley Square Merchants’ Association was staying neutral on the proposed bylaw, and word about what would become Town Meeting warrant article 46 hadn’t spread throughout Wellesley’s retail community.

But this past week at the Wellesley Advisory Committee meeting focused on Town Meeting articles, the Wellesley Square Merchants’ reps spoke out against the proposed bylaw, saying it would give retailers in neighboring communities an edge. This sentiment arose at a recent merchants meeting, said Association President Demian Wendrow of London Harness. He expressed concern that a ban on fur sales would limit individual choice by buyers and merchants, and could open the door to prohibitions on other products, from leather to steaks.

“We are fighting a serious battle with online and the ‘A’ word, Amazon,” Wendrow said during citizen speak remarks. “By preventing us to sell products within a single town deepens that gap that we cannot afford. Lastly, now’s not the time, with everything going on…we would prefer for the state to make this decision.”

Neither Wendrow nor fellow retailer Kelly Leisman of Gretta Luxe said fur contributes greatly to their revenue. In the case of London Harness, the store carries a hat with a fur pom-pom. But the retailers say not having the choice to sell such products would have an impact on their customers and relationships with suppliers. Then there’s also the issue of faux fur being made of plastic, another bad word these days, Leisman said. The retailers didn’t discount the value of educating the public about animal treatment, but said a bylaw wasn’t the way to do it.

Advisory voted 7-6 against recommending the article after Chairman Todd Cook broke a 6-6 tie. But he said his report to Town Meeting would indicate that the vote was really split. “I’m torn on this,” Cook said. “I’d rather it be more of a grassroots effort on the part of merchants or perhaps others to make a statement themselves rather than have the town pass a bylaw change…”

The petition is spearheaded by Wellesley resident, Wellesley College Professor and Humane Society of the United States volunteer Liza Oliver, who defended her proposal at the committee meeting. She cited the fact that big name luxury retailers from Prada to Versace and mainstream chains from Talbots to The Gap have committed to being fur-free, and that laws banning fur sales are in the works across the country. She argued the majority of people in Massachusetts and beyond are eschewing fur and that the nation’s moral compass is always changing. “Legislation should reflect that,” she said.

California has a fur ban going into effect in 2023, led by efforts in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Wellesley would be the first Massachusetts community to ban fur sales if the article is approved and other steps are taken. (More details of her proposal are available on the Fur-Free Wellesley site.)

The idea that Wellesley would be the first community in the state with such a ban concerned some Advisory members. Rusty Kellogg said Wellesley already has challenges enforcing existing rules, so asked why institute another regarding something that isn’t a big problem in town in the first place? Another Advisory member questioned how much Wellesley wants to get into adding bylaws about global or national issues (a phenomenon we discussed in our recent post “Wellesley citizen petitions: Keeping Town Meeting lively, current, worldly.”)

You can review the discussion during the first 45 or so minutes of the Wellesley Media recording of the Advisory Committee Meeting embedded below. Town Meeting is slated to begin March 30, so Town Meeting members will have its say on Article 46 then.

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: Wellesley Books, Wellesley Bakery closing shop for 2 weeks; town infrastructure question; MassBay moving online

March 15, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Update (7pm, 3/15/20): Gov. Charlie Baker announced on Sunday that all schools across the state will be closed through April 6, extending beyond what could have been a March 30 re-opening in Wellesley. No on-premise consumption at restaurants until April 6 either.

With so many canceled or postponed events, including cultural, sports and religious activities, the streets of Wellesley are quieter than usual this weekend as people and organizations take action regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19). While we did see a smattering of political supporters holding signs outside Town Hall on Saturday to grab attention of those voting via absentee ballot, the number of runners along the Boston Marathon course was way, way down from recent weeks after the race was postponed until September.

Things are getting quieter still as more businesses announce plans to temporarily shut their doors. The latest: Wellesley Books, which will be closed from Monday, March 16 through Sunday, March 29. You can still order online or by phone, as staff will be taking phone orders during the day.

Wellesley Books

Wellesley Bakery too is closing for 2 weeks.

Others, such as art gallery and framing shop Page Waterman, are maintaining normal hours. However, for customer framing services they request you make an appointment. The March 21 special event, a talk by John Hagen about Frank Weston Benson, has been canceled. “As an art gallery, maintaining a high standard of cleanliness is always a priority. Page Waterman cleans all surfaces multiple times each day. In addition, employees are required to regularly wash their hands throughout each day in-store and are required to stay home if they feel sick and until they provide the necessary documentation that states that they are safe to return to work.”

Infrastructure question

Some in town are curious about how the town will respond if things become more extreme. “Do you have any ability to find out about the town’s plans for critical infrastructure like supplying water, electricity, sewer, etc?” wrote one Swellesley reader on Sunday morning.

We reached out to town officials, and heard back quickly from Stephanie Hawkinson, Wellesley’s communications and project manager.

“Our infrastructure is not impacted by the Coronavirus situation and will continue to operate as normal,” she wrote. “Our DPW staff continues to maintain water/sewer lines and WMLP continues to maintain electricity 24 hours a day, and internet to our commercial partners, and to respond to emergencies. Those departments are staffed 24/7 and the Town is taking precautionary measures to ensure the health of those employees.”

The town’s plans were put in place before Wellesley was accepted into the state’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program, which largely focuses on climate change.

wmlp manhole

MassBay moving online

MassBay Community College, which has a campus in Wellesley, has announced that it will use this coming week to transition more courses online. The school, which is on spring break this week, plans to have transitioned many courses to online by the time students return. The school already offers some of its courses online.

cdc flyer

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Wellesley coronavirus (COVID-19) updates: Libraries closed for 2 weeks; RDF give-and-take delay; Truly shuts down temporarily; Historical Society postpones lectures

March 13, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

It’s near impossible to keep up with all of Wellesley’s coronavirus (COVID-19) news, but we’ll at least try to give you the highlights/lowlights here. Like many of you’ve we’ve tried to lay relatively low, but from what we’ve seen in town, things were quiet on Friday, except at supermarket parking lots.

All Wellesley Free Libraries are shutting down until at least March 30. Hold onto your donations of books, etc., until the library gives the word. And by all means take advantage of the libraries’ virtual offerings. Here’s hoping for some book loan forgiveness, too, though without sports on TV, I might actually finish a few of the books I borrow before they’re due.

idealist book — With no sports on TV, I’m plowing through this

The Wellesley Recycling & Disposal Facility’s give-and-take area’s opening will be postponed until further notice, but residential hours remain unchanged.

While we’re at the point at which it’s more news when a Wellesley event IS being held rather than canceled or postponed, we continue to get notices from organizers changing plans based on coronavirus (COVID-19) concerns.

Town Hall will be open for daily business and voting through March 17, but then will close to the public until March 30. Gov. Baker has announced a modification of open meeting laws to keep big crowds from gathering, and Wellesley Public Media and the town are looking at ways to allow remote viewing and access.

“We’re testing possible ways to aggregate people from remote locations into a single online meeting and disseminate that to Internet and local cable channels in real time,” says James Joyce, executive director at Wellesley Media. “In the short term we will continue covering essential meetings like we always do.”

The Board of Selectmen meeting on Monday will feature this remote access protocol: “Residents can view the meeting from this youtube link. The online meeting will also be streaming live and will be telecast live on Comcast channel 8 and Verizon channel 40. Residents seeking to participate in Citizen Speak or any other agenda item should email [email protected] prior to the meeting and a number will be assigned for speakers. All residents seeking to participate shall call into 781-489-7525 (Conference Line) and await the announcement of your assigned number to speak. Individuals wishing to participate who have not received a number shall be asked at the end of the agenda item if they would like to speak before the Board moves on to the next agenda item.”

Wellesley Recreation Commission announced it will indefinitely postpone Rec Department programs, classes, rentals, & events. This includes all winter programs currently underway. Program and class makeup dates and refund information will be provided at a later date. Please contact the Re Department at [email protected] or at (781) 235 – 2370 with any questions. Wellesley United Soccer Club is shutting down through April 15.

Meanwhile, with the public schools shut down for a while, there’s much work to be done in figuring out how to teach kids during the closure, how to pay staff, and how to provide resources to students who rely on free or reduced-price meals.

Dana Hall School has also changed things up in light of COVID-19: ”

All students who are able to remain away from campus at the conclusion of spring break should do so. Please see below for those who are not able. From Monday, March 23 through Wednesday, March 25, faculty will have time to plan and prepare for remote teaching and learning options. Students will begin taking classes online on Thursday, March 26 through Friday, April 3. We will make an evaluation at that time to determine if there is a need to extend this period of remote learning.
Remote classes will include online teaching and video tools; we will also continue our use of Schoology and Google Apps. Students will need reliable, high-speed internet access. If your family is unable to accommodate a remote learning environment for your student, please contact the appropriate division director…”

State Rep. Alice H. Peisch (D-Wellesley), House Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Education, has called on Governor Baker and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to close all schools in the Commonwealth to prevent community spread of COVID-19, while ensuring access to vital services for vulnerable student populations.

More details on how the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation is playing out locally in the Wellesley daily update from the town.

Events are off

The big one: The Boston Marathon won’t be running through Wellesley (or anywhere else) in April. The race has been postponed until September.

Among other spreading the word about a change of plans was the Wellesley Historical Society, which has postponed a couple of upcoming lectures, one featuring a Susan B. Anthony reenactor. The Tollhouse Shop, which sells gently used and vintage items donated by locals, is also closed until April 1.

Wellesley Congregational Church (Village Church, 2 Central St.) has joined UU Wellesley in making the decision to suspend worship and all on-site gatherings in order to participate in shared efforts to contain and limit the spread of virus. What’s more, the Archbishop of Boston has made the decision effective immediately to temporarily suspend all daily and Sunday Masses and religious services in the Archdiocese of Boston until further notice.

St Paul no masses COVID-19 — The Cardinal has spoken: No mass at St. Paul’s and other Catholic churches

Latest Wellesley events canceled or postponed

Truly temporarily closes, and those Wellesley businesses sure are clean

Truly Yogurt is temporarily closing in light of COVID-19 concerns, though owner Steve Marcus says “We also sent out a note to staff informing them that we will compensate them for their scheduled time (lost) for the foreseeable future.” Now there’s a feel-good story. Let’s hope big crowds can return soon.

Truly Yogurt sign

Truly Yogurt is one of the exceptions so far in closing temporarily.

Those staying open are assuring patrons that they are super clean, have always been super clean, and are getting even cleaner. I mean, we’re talking:

“Throughout our history, we have always followed the highest standards of safety and sanitation…”
“…have always been held to the highest standards of sanitation and safety to protect both our guests and our team. We have been diligent about not only keeping our spaces at these standards, but exceeding them…”
“As experienced food professionals, we take sanitation, hygiene and food handling very seriously every day…”

Restaurants are encouraging customers to order online if that makes them more comfortable. And some, like Sweetgreen, are touting their employee benefits: “Our paid wellness leave policy goes above and beyond industry standards. And now, we will be offering up to 14 days of Care Pay to employees who have been diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19 so they can self-isolate at home. We never want a team member to put work before their health.”

Here’s hoping the businesses and their staffs will all be cleaning up in a different way before long. We’ll try to think of ways that we can be of help, too.

On the bright side…

It’s not all gloom-and-doom across town. The flowers have begun to pop, with Spring just around the corner.

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The first wave of color, Daffodil Hill, @wellesleycollege overlooking #LakeWaban #wellesleyma #swellesley

A post shared by Swellesley Report (Wellesley) (@theswellesleyreport) on Mar 12, 2020 at 7:45am PDT

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Business Buzz (sponsored by Wellesley Transportation): Wellesley Bank signs to disappear; introducing Jhellen House of Beauty; it’s definitely not Bertucci’s; MassBay nursing program #1

March 13, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

This week’s Wellesley Business Buzz is sponsored by Wellesley Transportation. Owned and operated by Thomas Shinnick since 1995, Wellesley Transportation, formerly known as College Taxi, has been proudly serving Wellesley and the surrounding communities for over 90 years. Originally established in 1926, Wellesley Transportation provides on-time airport, local and long-distance transportation in luxury vehicles. For reservations, call or text 781-235-2200.

Wellesley Transportation

The big Wellesley business news this week has been about local outfits responding to coronavirus (COVID-19), which has included temporary closings, deep cleanings and other efforts to limit germiness. But there’s plenty of other business news in town, too:

Wellesley Bank signs to disappear in fall

Wellesley Bank, which is getting gobbled up by Cambridge Trust, has disclosed to customers that its signs will be changing in October. Wellesley Bank opened its doors in 1911.

wellesley bank

Jhellen House of Beauty: From facials to waxing to massages

Jhellen

The awning for Glamour Tan is gone at 159 Linden St. and in its place is one for Jhellen House of Beauty, a new spa that does offer tanning services but plenty more, too, according to owner Jessica Hellen.

Services include micropigmentation, described as “semi-permanent drawing of eyelids, lips and eyebrows.” Facials, waxing, Swedish massage, make-up, hairdos, and coolsculpting are all on the menu of services.

Tanning sessions are walk-in, but all other services are by appontment, which you can make online or by phone.

Bertucci’s space: No restaurant, but at least a food-related firm

If you were holding out hope that the Bertucci’s space at Playhouse Square might become home to another restaurant, it’s time to focus your hopes elsewhere. But a business dubbed Grove Services that is moving into the space is at least in the food business: it’s an international frozen protein distributor and supplier.

President Victor Spivak started to make his mark in this industry back in the early 1990s, according to Grove Services, by developing a poultry business in Russia. Beef, grains and pork are also on this outfit’s menu.

Grove Services already has a spot at 100 William St., in Wellesley and it’s unclear whether it is moving or expanding into the Playhouse Square location (we’ve reached out).

One thing’s for sure: This business isn’t standard fare for Wellesley, as a quick scroll through its Instagram account reveals.

MassBay Registered Nursing Program Ranked #1 in Massachusetts

MassBay Wellesley, nursing MassBay Community College has been ranked as the #1 Registered Nursing (RN) Program in Massachusetts for 2020 by RegisteredNursing.org, a nursing advocacy organization.

MassBay Director of Nursing, Dr. Jean Dyer said, “Our Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program has had a 100% pass-rate for our graduates on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam over the past three years, and for the first time our Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program also earned a 100% first-time pass-rate, which speaks to the excellent education students receive at MassBay.”

Wellesley businesses respond to coronavirus (COVID-19): Deep cleaning, avoiding iPads & adding ‘immunity boosters’ to smoothies

March 10, 2020 by Bob Brown 1 Comment

coronavirus image Wellesley businesses have begun reaching out to patrons with their responses to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, which has included 3 Wellesley residents who have tested presumably positive.

The first communications we saw came from FitClub, the Wellesley CrossFit, bootcamp and more fitness outfit, which on March 4 issued a note to its “FitClub family” that it is monitoring “the spread of the Coronavirus” and “keeping an eye on official information including guidance published by the CDC. Should emergency directives be issued, we will take appropriate action as directed by government officials. The business assured customers it is taking preventative measures to protect against exposure to the virus, including instructing its staff to do what everyone else is being instructed to do (e.g., wash hands often with soap, avoiding touching your face, stay home if not feeling well, etc.).

CrepeBerry, the Wellesley Hills cafe, connected with its clientele via a message from owner Amelia Childs on Facebook that read in part: “I know a lot of people around town are very nervous right now and I wanted to let you know about the steps we are taking at our business to ensure our customers and staff feel safe…” Among other things, CrepeBerry is switching to disposable utensils and drink cups for now, waiving its credit & debit card minimum for those who don’t want to deal with dirty cash, and sanitizing tables and more twice an hour. Oh, and “Please feel free to ask staff members about different immunity boosting enhancers (spirulina, matcha, ect) we can add to your smoothies.”

Watching what goes into your mouth also might include a dentist’s hand. Noxon Orthodontics in Wellesley has asked patients to reschedule if showing any flu-like symptoms, and emphasized its “strict infection control practices.” What’s more, a crew performed a deep clean of even low-risk surfaces over the weekend, according to Dr. Stephen Noxon. “Additionally, we have changed our sign-in procedures and removed many items that people touch and/or items that are difficult to clean: iPads, magazines, display items, educational tools, etc.”

Code Ninjas in Linden Square also took to social media to share its actions, which have included reaching out to the Wellesley Health Department regularly.

Babson College, MassBay Community College and Wellesley College, all in town, have been keeping their communities on top of plans, too.

Also, organizations with a presence in Wellesley and well beyond have communicated their response. While you might be hard pressed to find mention of the coronavirus on sites of big companies like say, Biogen, Dunkin’ Donuts hits you with a message from its CEO on its website home page It reads in part: “At the recommendation of our global task force, in addition to the steps we and our international franchisees and licensees have taken in their restaurants, we have a number of cleaning and sanitation initiatives underway in our U.S. locations. These initiatives include: increasing the frequency of restaurant cleaning; requiring franchisees and their crew members to re-take food safety training; temporarily halting food sampling and reusable mug programs; and cancelling non-essential corporate, franchisee and employee meetings as well as non-essential corporate travel.”

More: Wellesley firm puts handy coronavirus info on your smartphone

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An interview with Wellesley Juniper restaurant’s Dave Becker

March 9, 2020 by Deborah Brown 1 Comment

The winter day blasts forth all the cold of February, but with none of the decorative snowfall. I’ve been given to understand by meteorologists and everyone at the Council on Aging (I’m talking to you, MB) that I am supposed to be grateful for the general lack of snow and the above-average temperatures. I’m expected to praise the barren sledding hills and accept the lack of cross-country skiing at Elm Bank. When I fuss, firm voices say, “Be thankful you’ll get another year out of those expensive Sorel boots, missy.”

It’s all so unfair, this depressing un-winter. So screw it, I’m going to the Mediterranean, and I’m going to do it without leaving town. I call my travel agent, Dave Becker, who also owns Juniper. The chef’s most recent book, Juniper, named for his acclaimed Wellesley Square restaurant, has just come out. That’s all the excuse I need for a visit. Maybe he’ll feed me, I hope. Who am I kidding? I know he’ll feed me.

Dave Becker, Juniper, Wellesley — Dave Becker, owner of Juniper in Wellesley, has just come out with a new cookbook.

Dave is in a state of high delight on the day I stop in to talk about his book. It’s Valentine’s Day, and Juniper has just been named by the Boston Globe as one of the Boston area’s top romantic restaurants. “Yeah, I was like ‘damn straight’ when I heard about it,” he said with glee.

We’ve settled in at the end of the bar, closest to the entrance, all the better for Dave to keep an eye on things. He’s a multi-tasker, who in between chatting with me, greets customers, talks cocktails with the bartender, and warmly welcomes a couple of pals who stop in at the end of the lunch rush.

For sure, the vibe at Dave Becker’s “quasi Mediterranean restaurant”, as he refers to it on the cover of the 200-page cookbook, is sociable, romantic, cozy. The decor of the place has everything anyone putting together their own well-appointed home would want — original artwork on the walls, most of it by Dave’s grandfather; guests with a sophisticated palate and a sense of joie de vivre; and good food and good drink. So good God, let’s eat.

“Are you hungry?” Dave asks.

“I’m always hungry,” I tell him.

“Good. me too.”

Within minutes, a plate of fresh pita bread and dips appears — Matbucha (roasted tomato and roasted pepper), Tzatziki (Greek yogurt and cucumber), and Muhummara (red pepper and pecan) — are all smooth and intensely flavorful. I would have called it lunch on its own, but Dave had bigger ideas.

“Still hungry?” Dave asks. I claim no, but when the kitchen sends out an order of Chicken Tangine, I change my mind fast. The aroma of the braised chicken thighs, roasted raisins, toasted almonds, and Israeli couscous overtake me, and I’m helpless. It’s not hard to see why the dish is the go-to entree for so many of Juniper’s regulars. The dark-meat chicken falls off the bones, while the raisins, honey, and white wine give the dish the right amount of sweetness. An interesting aside is that the kitchen makes the dish without having an actual tangine pot on hand. Head chef Tim Fichera, credited with all the food recipes in the book, has the staff use a large Dutch oven, which translates nicely for everyday cooks who would like to re-create the entree in their home kitchens.

“The recipe testers were a combination of professionals and home cooks,” Dave says. “The home cooks especially are like the litmus test. When they can do it and it turns out great, I know the recipe can go in the book.”

In addition to recipes under the chapter titles: accompaniments, dips and spreads, small plates, entrees, and sweets, Bar Manager Ashley Eaton created the 30+ cocktail recipes in the book, along with a primer on mixing techniques.

Book talk

Given that Dave bounces between home — which he shares with his partner Jessie and their adorable mop-topped 1.5 year-old daughter Beatrix — and three restaurants, I ask how he found time to write Juniper. Turns out there are two secrets: stay up late, and get picked for jury duty. “I usually write very late at night. The restaurant business is all-consuming and there are crazy hours,” he says. “Also when I was at jury duty I wrote a lot of it on my phone. I get picked all the time for jury duty. I must have the kind of face that looks impartial or something.”

Dave took all the pictures in the coffee-table sized book, some of which ended up on Juniper’s Instagram and Facebook accounts. He doesn’t have a book agent. “It’s basically just me,” he says. “It’s self-published. Making the books is always fun. Selling the books isn’t as much fun.”

His last book, Sweet Basil, titled for the Needham restaurant of the same name, sold over 10,000 copies. “The first printing was 5,000 and those sold, so we did another printing of 5,000. It’s a good work. all the recipes in the Sweet Basil book are solid, and all the recipes in the Juniper book are solid. It’s nice to see the books sell when people come in and have a good dining experience and then want a keepsake. They get one of the books, and bring home part of the restaurant with them. That’s great.”

Autographed Dave Becker Juniper #Wellesley cookbook pic.twitter.com/5t98aqm8TI

— swellesley (@swellesley) March 9, 2020

He’s doing a book tour of sorts, and of course he’ll make an appearance here in town. You can catch up with Dave at Wellesley Books on March 10, 7pm, where your $10 ticket for the event includes a food tasting of recipes from Juniper.

Our interview is winding down, and Dave goes back over a few things we talked about. That restaurant gossip he dropped, that’s not going to go in the Swellesley story, right? Strictly off the record, that part about the bombastic personalities he’s engaged with over the years in the industry. That’s cool, right?

Yeah, Dave, that’s cool. I wasn’t there for a tell-all (this time). I was there to talk books, and music, and food, and fun with the local restaurant owner who never went to cooking school, never went to college, never worked for a celebrity chef. “Because of all that, for some reason certain people are genuinely surprised that my food is really, really good.”

I take another bite of really, really good Chicken Tangine. Juniper the restaurant and Juniper the book are all about the culinary vision of Dave Becker — part philosopher, part artist, part businessman, 100% author. Dave walks me to the door. He’s gifted me an autographed copy of Juniper. I thank him for everything and vow to make it to the Wellesley Books event. Back in the restaurant, the lunch crowd has left. The staff is preparing for the evening rush of lovers who want to celebrate Valentine’s Day at one of the most romantic restaurants in the Boston area. Just another day at the office.

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