Dana Hall honors, chills out with longtime Truly Yogurt owner

October 2, 2019 by bbrown 1 Comment

Katherine Bradley and Gary Goldman — Dana Hall Head of School Katherine Bradley and Truly Yogurt’s Gary Goldman

Longtime Truly Yogurt owner Gary Goldman, who is selling the Wellesley institution after nearly 3 decades at the helm, was honored on Wednesday by neighboring Dana Hall School. Students and staff there have consumed more than their fair share of Truly’s treats over the years.

Dana Hall celebrated Goldman’s retirement at its Oct. 2 All-School Meeting.

“For years, Dana Hall students, faculty, families and alumnae have headed to Truly’s to celebrate personal victories, birthdays, special occasions, the completion of a particularly challenging paper or the end of exams,” said Head of School Katherine Bradley at the festivities. “We’ve gone there to boost our spirits and calm our nerves. More often than not, we’ve probably gone there for no specific reason, because I don’t think you really ever need an excuse to eat delicious ice cream or frozen yogurt.”

Goldman received a standing ovation before sharing a few words. “I am truly grateful,” he said.

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Dunkin’ runs from Wellesley

September 21, 2019 by bbrown 6 Comments

dunkin donuts wellesley square closing

Wellesley is about to go from 6 Dunkin’ Donuts shops to a mere 5, as the Wellesley Square Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins is set to shut down on Sept. 27.

That shop opened 6 years ago.

Wellesley will still have 2 Dunkin’ Donuts shops on Rte. 9, one at Babson College, another in Lower Falls and one more on Linden Street.

(Thanks to @PapaMoPo for the tip.)

More: Where to eat in Wellesley

dunkin donuts wellesley square closing

Wellesley Business Buzz: Mark’s Pizza & Subs is back; Cheesy Street Grill is cookin’; Chase Bank has big shoes to fill; Marillac opens up

September 20, 2019 by bbrown Leave a Comment

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

Mark’s Pizza & Subs is back

Mark’s Pizza & Subs, greatly missed since summer 2018 when the popular eatery’s building was torn down to make way for the expansion of another business, is back in action at 10B Washington Street in Wellesley Hills at a former salon space. All the old favorites are still on the menu — their famous broasted chicken dinners, chicken broccoli alfredo, subs, wraps, and of course, pizza. The menu has expanded to the point where if they’re not serving it at Mark’s, you probably don’t need it.

Mark's Pizza, Wellesley — Mark’s Pizza is back in action at 10B Washington St., Wellesley Hills.

Mark’s Pizza & Subs has been operating in Wellesley since the 1970s, as one look at the former interior could have told you. The new decor is fresh and updated, with a modern vibe, seating for about 25 at ten tables and a high-top area, and a big ol’ flatscreen on the wall. The sense of relief that an old favorite is back in town was palpable from the steady stream of customers there for a good lunch.

Welcome back, Mark’s.

Cheesy Street Grill opens

Cheesy Street Grill, which will have a captive audience at the new Boston Sports Institute (Rte. 9 skating and swimming complex), has opened.

The grill, which has two locations at Mass Pike service plazas, will serve up gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and other comfort foods, including tater tots and mac & cheese. Salads, soups and more are also on the menu.

Cheesy Street Grill had its humble beginnings as a food truck in Connecticut.

cheesy street grill

Chase Bank has big shoes to fill

With Prospero’s Shoe Repair closing down its 294 Washington St., location at the end of August, the speculation began over what might replace it.

A bank? Or a bank? Or maybe a bank?

Well, close. More likely the dental office next door would expand into that space, but just down the block a ways, next to Maugus, is newcomer Chase Bank. One of the world’s few banks without a Wellesley location yet, Chase is slated to slide into 294 Washington St., which used to house a Santandar ATM. Conveniently located within a quarter of a mile of Century Bank, Middlesex Savings Bank and First Republic Bank.

chase bank wellesley — Maugus is getting a new neighbor: Chase bank

Local author at Wellesley Books, Sept. 21

Wayland resident Joan Cohen will be a Wellesley Books on Saturday, September 21, 4pm – 6pm to read from her new book, Land of Last Chances. It tells the story of a successful woman who has always been focused on her career, meticulously preparing for every challenge in her life. When she’s faced with an unplanned pregnancy in her late 40s (the father is one of two men in her life) she learns she must face the possibility of carrying a rare gene for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Joan’s writing style is dramatic, engaging and, at times, heartbreaking.

Marillac opens up

Marillac Residence, the non-profit Wellesley Hills facility that originally served retired Sisters of Charity, is now opening its doors to all seniors looking for a residential care home.

Marillac will host an open house on Sunday, Oct. 20 from 2-4pm. For more information, please visit us at: www.marillacresidence.org, or call 781-237-2161.

Location, location, location — 15 Tappan Rd.

SPONSORED CONTENT: Gracious 1925 center entrance Colonial. Ideally set on a quiet dead end street abutting the Brook Path.
This home seamlessly melds beautiful period detail, high ceilings, gleaming hardwood floors, loads of natural light with beautiful updated spaces.

First floor features include: formal living and dining room, private study, renovated gourmet kitchen that opens up to family room with a massive field stone fireplace. Half bath. Plus a family sized mudroom off of the attached two car garage. Enjoy your morning coffee on the beautiful screened porch.

Second floor includes 4 total bedrooms consisting of a tranquil master suite with high ceiling and his and her bathrooms, 3 family bedrooms and another full bath. Finished room on third floor plus finished basement provide even more flexible space.

Bluestone patio overlooking serene and private back yard. Located a short .5 miles from Wellesley Center. In the desirable Dana Hall area. This home has it all!

Private sale/No broker
Contact: [email protected]
to schedule an appointment.
$1,485,000.00 FIRM

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Wellesley’s Truly Yogurt: Changing hands, staying iconic

September 14, 2019 by bbrown 5 Comments

Truly Yogurt owner Gary Goldman is selling the Grove Street ice cream and frozen yogurt shop he’s owned since 1992 to the Marcus family, longtime customers who pledge to keep the spirit of the Wellesley institution intact.

“The last thing we want to change is what it means to Wellesley,” says Steve Marcus, a longtime friend of Goldman’s who shares a passion for chatting about business and the Red Sox. “It’s a warm place with good values, high quality ice cream and yogurt, with fair prices and generous portions. Local kids work there, learning responsibilities in what for many is their first job.”

Approval of the exchange of the common victualler’s license for Truly Yogurt is on Monday’s Board of Selectmen agenda.

Truly Yogurt

Goldman told us a couple of years ago, when Truly Yogurt was celebrating its 25th anniversary, the story of how he came to own and operate the shop. “I was interviewing for corporate jobs up here, but nothing seemed to be working out, and I stumbled upon this little ice cream shop that was for sale in 1992. It was decorated all in pink and it looked like an ice cream store on a tropical island. I had experience in accounting, retail merchandising, and finance– not ice cream. I came in and started making the soft serve myself. I started carrying new flavors, introduced a lot of new toppings and items for sale.”

Marcus, whose son Jeffrey will manage the shop along with a colleague, has gotten to know Goldman over the years and at one point threw his name in the hat as a possible buyer in the event that Truly might be sold. A retired marketing executive who lived in Wellesley for a couple of decades before relocating to Weston, Marcus says he had no lifelong urge to open an ice cream shop. But with Truly becoming available he did see an opportunity to keep an iconic business going. After all, thousands of customers would be counting on someone to do so.

“My family has a lot of great memories of coming to Truly, and we still do,” says Marcus, whose wife Deborah is the family’s tasting expert. Marcus somewhat sheepishly identified vanilla as his favorite flavor, though has become more adventurous in recent years by swirling it with black raspberry. “Soft serve all the way,” he says.

(Side note: One of my Truly’s memories is of our son’s friend winning a year’s worth of ice cream at the shop, and the two of them taking full advantage of that…)

Truly Yogurt’s transition from the Goldman to Marcus family has been underway throughout the summer, with Goldman mentoring Jeffrey Marcus, who already has food service industry experience. The Marcus family’s experience with homey eateries also includes opening the Bakery on the Common in Natick years ago.

Going forward, Marcus expects 99% of what Truly Yogurt has been doing to stay the same. After all, when a business becomes known by a nickname, you know it’s doing something right, he says.

One significant change, though, will be a fresh focus on eco-friendly packaging and operations. That will include taking a hard look at everything from ice cream containers to spoons to lighting and delivery schedules.

And just because Goldman is selling the business doesn’t mean he won’t be around. Sure, he’ll have more time to relax. But he’s staying on as a paid advisor to the Marcuses, and will be on hand to greet customers by name just as he’s done over the years.

Gary Goldman, Truly Yogurt — Gary Goldman: Owner at Truly Yogurt since 1992

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Beyond Wellesley: The Downton Abbey exhibit at The Castle in Boston

September 6, 2019 by Deborah Brown 4 Comments

I recently had the opportunity to step back in time to post-Edwardian England at “Downton Abbey: The Exhibition,” appropriately venued at The Castle at Park Plaza in Boston. If you were a fan of the upstairs-downstairs British historical period drama which won 15 Emmys and three Golden Globes, you simply must go, darling. It’s been absolutely ages (ok, since 2016) since the PBS show wrapped up after six seasons of family drama, social commentary, and absolutely fabulous costumes. You need a Lady Mary fix, admit it.

Downton Abbey exhibit — Executive Chef and Natick resident Joe Lewi laid out quite a spread on media night. The former Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey marketing executive served up bits that would have appeared at the Downton Abbey table: cold stuffed tomatoes; cucumber gazpacho; artichoke and asparagus salad; Beef Wellington; and French macarons.

For the uninitiated, Downton Abbey followed the divine and dramatic lives of the Crowley family, who were to the manor born and lived “upstairs.” Meanwhile “downstairs”, their servants lived a somewhat parallel existence of good times and bad, but without all the money and fabulous bespoke clothing. Downton Abbey was a place where everybody knew their place, and deviance from social standards was not permitted. But Mrs. Patmore cooked so beautifully, and the parties were jolly, so to be a spoilsport about it all would be really quite bad form.

Downton Abbey exhibit, Boston — Gotta love Lady Mary, played by Michelle Dockery. Privileged, demanding, determined, and always impeccably turned out.

You’ve got until September 29th to see all the sets, costumes, and historical exhibits. No RSVP required, but you can get your tickets ahead of time here. It’s always an open house situation at an inherited cozy little 300-room place in the English countryside. The exhibition is open daily from 10am to 6pm, with the last ticket sold at 4:30pm. Expect to spend between 60 and 90 minutes exploring Downton Abbey. Guests are welcome to stay for as long or as little as they would like during hours of operation. The exhibition is fully accessible for the mobility impaired.

Downton Abbey, Boston — Hands down, this was my favorite of the over 50 costumes on display at the exhibit. Just a little Summer ensemble worn by Lady Grantham (Elizabeth McGovern). Also on display: wedding gowns, ball gowns, riding clothes, military uniforms, and more.

If you can’t make it to Boston by the exhibit’s September 29th closing date, you can always catch the exhibit at Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina, where the Downton denizens will spend the holiday season. You can also catch up with the family later this month on the big screen. The Downton Abbey movie is set for release on September 20.

Viking Cruise line was the presenting sponsor of Downton Abbey: The Exhibition. Now there’s an outfit that knows how to explore the world in comfort.

Wellesley Square Mom’s Day Out event is September 13-14

September 5, 2019 by admin 1 Comment

SPONSORED POST: The Wellesley Square Merchants’ Association is getting ready for two big days of the always popular Mom’s Day Out. On Friday, September 13 and Saturday, September 14, scores of stores throughout Wellesley Square will participate by offering discounts, special offers, and surprises.

There will be free parking, plus Kidville and LINX are offering special activities so that Moms can drop off their kids & shop! All the DETAILS ARE HERE [https://shopwellesleysquare.com/moms-day-out-2019/].

And be sure to call in advance to register. Kidville: 781-235-4650. LINX: 781-235-3210.

SHOPPING: Dozens of stores are participating. Just to name a few…London Harness; Page Waterman Gallery & Framing; Wellesley Holiday Boutique; Wellesley Toy Shop; and Anderson’s Jewelers. When you see the Mom’s Day Out sign in the shop window, you’ll know you’ve found a go-to spot for special offers and deep discounts on everything from toys, clothing, and books to home decor, handbags, and more.

And here’s a little secret: all this good stuff is available to not just moms, but to everyone else. Moms are inclusive sorts who wouldn’t dream of keeping the fun all to themselves.

PARKING: All this and free parking too starting at 10am, thanks to the Town of Wellesley.

MORE INFO: Go to ShopWellesleySquare.

Wellesley Moms' Day Out

Wellesley Theatre Project Cone Crawl will be September 7, 2019

September 5, 2019 by admin Leave a Comment

Wellesley Theatre Project’s (WTP) Seventh Annual Cone Crawl will be held on Saturday, September 7, noon-3pm.

Community supporters, students, parents, and folks wanting to have a crazy fun time visiting the best cone shops around are invited to purchase Cone Crawl tickets for $10 each. Each WTP Cone Crawl ticket will entitle the bearer to visit JP Licks, Truly Yogurt, Baskin Robbins, The Linden Store, and Express Gourmet and enjoy a small ice cream (think tasting size!). Participants will also receive a 2019, “I Conquered the Cone Crawl” T-Shirt that can be picked up at the Wellesley Theatre Project studio.

Wellesley Cone Crawl

All proceeds from the Cone Crawl will go to support WTP programs such as Theatre Arts Classes and Camps, Fully Realized Productions, Workshops and Master Classes, Outreach and Community Programs and Events, and the WTP Scholarship Fund.

The Cone Crawl is sponsored by the Wellesley Bank Charitable Foundation, London Harness, The Swellesley Report, Roche Bros., and Needham Bank.

If you are interested in participating in the Cone Crawl, you can get your tickets online at www.wellesleytheatreproject.org/tickets or at the WTP Studios, located at The Wellesley Community Center at 219 Washington St Wellesley MA.

Wellesley Theatre Project is an arts academy and a Wellesley nonprofit devoted to providing students (PreK – 12th Grade) with the opportunity to study and experience theatre and performing arts through year round classes, staged productions, workshops and summer camps.

Registration is open for WTP’s Fall productions of Frozen, Jr. (Grades 2-12) and CLUE (Grades 6-12), and weekly classes in theatre, acting, musical theatre dance, tap, improvisation, private voice lessons, private dance lessons, and musical theatre for students Pre-K through 12th grade.

For more information on the Cone Crawl or upcoming classes and productions, please visit www.wellesleytheatreproject.org or call 781- 235-1550.