Wellesley Business Buzz: Orvis is coming to Linden Square; Heroes Fitness expands; Free Bach to Rock class for kids

October 3, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The latest Wellesley, Mass., business news:

Orvis is coming to Linden Square

Vermont retailer Orvis will soon be opening a store in Linden Square where the Tyed with Love used to be in between Talbots and the now-closed Wellesley Tavern. Orvis has dozens of stores and does a brisk mail-order business for its outdoorsy clothes, not to mention fly fishing gear.

Heroes Fitness offers class for hero moms

With Heroes Fitness expanding its presence in Wellesley Square with new front-door access at 98 Central St. (the former Dunkin’ Donuts space), business owner and personal trainer Conner Griffin finally has the space he’s long wanted to increase the studio’s class schedule offerings.

Allison Leard has stepped in to offer a core connections class for women that she calls “The Mom Session.”

“I wanted to create a session for women that catered to not only the needs of an athlete, but the female athlete,” she said.

The class focuses on functional body building with while building a strong core and pelvic floor. For information, contact Allison at themomsession@gmail.com or 508-808-2034.

Business owner Griffin adds that Heroes is now offering a full schedule of bootcamp classes as well as youth classes every day of the week at 4:30pm.

Free class for kids in Linden Square

FREE Bach to Rock Toddler Jam is back!
Rockin’ Fun Time
Tuesday, October 4 from 9:30 – 10:30am, in Linden Square studio, across from the CVS drive-in

Come join Bach to Rock in studio for an hour filled with music and play.

Toddlers, ages infant to pre-k, will explore different instruments while learning simple musical concepts such as soft vs slow and loud vs soft.

There will be lots more with singing and playtime at the Instrumental Petting Zoo. Kids will leave with a coloring sheet and a big smile!

No reservations required.

Walkers raise millions more for Jimmy Fund

October 2, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Thousands of people walked all or part of the Boston Marathon course in Wellesley and beyond on Sunday to raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

We caught a glimpse of walkers, many donning their red Jimmy Fund Walk t-shirts, as they headed down the hill past the Warren Building on Washington Street. Many wore inspirational slogans, such as “Defy Cancer, “or images of loved ones lost to cancer or battling the disease.

The Jimmy Fund Walk has raised more than $155 million for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in its 33-year history.

Please send tips, photos, ideas to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

Newton-Wellesley Hospital hosts purple flag ceremony to recall residents lost to opioids

September 29, 2022 by Bob Brown 1 Comment

Newton-Wellesley Hospital earlier this month hosted a ceremony in front of 2,290 purple flags to remember Massachusetts residents lost to opioids.

The ceremony was part of a month-long effort focused on reflection, support, and education across the United States and locally.

Newton-Wellesley’s Substance Use Services program teamed with SOAR Natick to host the Purple Flag Project (See also: “Purple flags in Natick are an unsettling visualization of lives lost to opioids”).

Purple Flag Ceremony 2 — Robert Lewis Jr., President, Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston Alyssa Adreani, MA, BCC, Interfaith Chaplain, NWH Catharina Armstrong, MD, MPH, Associate Director, NWH Substance Use Services Antje Barreveld, MD, Director of Education and Outreach, NWH Substance Use Services Marian Ryan, Middlesex County District Attorney Errol R. Norwitz, MD, President and CEO, NWH Ted Wayman, Wellesley resident and WCVB-TV/Channel 5 Reporter

Please send tips, photos, ideas to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com
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Wellesley flu clinic set for Oct. 4; limited bivalent COVID vaccine available, too

September 26, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

Wellesley’s Health Department is holding a flu clinic on Tuesday, Oct. 4 from 1-4pm for residents ages 18-plus.

Advance registration is required for the clinic, to be held on the ground floor of the Warren Health & Recreation Building (90 Washington St.). Vaccines are free, but you need to have health insurance and should bring your card. High-dose vaccines are available for those ages 65-plus.

Homebound residents are encouraged to schedule an at-home appointment. Call the Health Department at 781-489-4356.

The Health Department will have a limited supply of the new bivalent COVID-19 booster vaccine (Moderna only) available this this clinic for those who want to double dip. It’s only available to those who have registered for the flu vaccine clinic.

Please send tips, photos, ideas to theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

Business Buzz: Shopping events in Wellesley Square & Linden Square; HYP Yoga is back; Thanks to our newest sponsor—Mature Caregivers

September 15, 2022 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

The latest Wellesley, Mass., business news:

Parents Day Out in Wellesley Square

It’s time for the annual Wellesley Square Merchants’ Association Parents Day Out, a time when everyone can enjoy specials offered by participating merchants in the Square. On Friday, Sept. 16 and Saturday, Sept. 17, many of the area’s stores will offer discounts and deals, so make sure you stop by and shop, dine, and enjoy Wellesley Square. Here’s a list of participating merchants.

Live music will be part of the fun, as will free parking, courtesy of the Town of Wellesley.

Linden Square Sidewalk Sale

Do you love searching the racks for great deals? Then head over to your favorite participating stores at the Linden Square Sidewalk Sale. Your great find is waiting to be discovered. Deals up to 70% off, through Sept. 18.

Hot take: HYP yoga is back in Wellesley

After taking a two-year savasana from Wellesley, HYP Studio is back in town. The studio has brought back a full roster of hot yoga classes in a 1,000 sq. ft. space, along with equipment Pilates classes. The facility is located at 141 Linden St. A note on their website says that HYP Yoga’s Needham studio is officially closed.

Welcome back!

Barre Method adds childcare

The Barre Method in Wellesley Square has added “childcare method” to its roster of services during the exercise studio’s busiest morning class times. Kids can play just down the hall, where they’ll be fully supervised by an experienced staff member. For now, childcare is offered twice a week, during the 9:30am 60-minute class times. The fee is $10 for the length of the class

Thanks to our newest advertiser: Mature Caregivers

Mature Caregivers provides geriatric expertise and reliable in-home eldercare from certified providers age 50+.

School starts in Wellesley on Wednesday, Aug. 31 for all students

August 29, 2022 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Wellesley public school students go back to class on Wellesley on Wednesday, Aug. 31.

Want to share Opening Day photos with us? Please do: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

The biggest change this year—Hunnewell Elementary School will not open its doors. It can’t. The school, built in 1938, was razed over the summer to make way for a new 76,500 sq. ft. 18-classroom school slated to open in February 2024. While construction is underway, staff and students have been divvied up among four of Wellesley’s five currently open elementary schools—Bates, Hardy, Sprague, and Upham—under a swing space plan. More on the school construction plans.

hunnewell cleared out — Hunnewell Elementary School was torn down over the summer.

District-wide, the school is returning to pre-pandemic operations meaning that, with the exception of all nursing offices, all school buildings and grounds will be mask-optional environments. In addition, the schools will no longer be supporting weekly, school-based viral testing. The remaining stock of rapid tests will be made available to students and staff on demand until supplies either run out or expire.

Other school updates

In a back-to-school message, Superintendent David Lussier reminded families that work on the new Hardy school will begin this winter behind the existing school, which will remain operational throughout the project. “The new Hardy school is slated to open in August of 2024, approximately six months after the opening of the new Hunnewell school. I know I speak for the many people who supported the development and approval process of these projects when I say that it is incredibly gratifying to see these next-generation school projects underway,” Lussier said in his message.

In addition, a significant paving project was completed at the Middle School over the summer, one of many projects at WMS over the years that have included replacement of many windows, work on critical infrastructure such as piping, doors and cabinetry and a full kitchen renovation. After all those upgrades, it seems safe to say that WMS will remain standing and in service for many years to come.

wms pave — Smoothed over Wellesley Middle School parking lot, pre-painting of lines

As for the high school area, the Wellesley Natural Resources commission in July voted 3-2 in favor of the School Committee’s proposal to allow lights to be installed at the Hunnewell Track & Field. The next steps will include private fundraising of about $1 million for the lights, team rooms, and sound system, as well as additional town meetings and approvals before the lights can be installed. Wetlands, the Select Board, Design Review Board, and Zoning Board of Appeals all must sign off on the project before it can move forward. More information here.

Massachusetts has extended universal free school meals through the 2022-2023 school year. This means that breakfast at the Middle and High Schools, and lunch at all schools will continue to be served at no cost to all students. Families will continue to be financially responsible for second meals, a la carte offerings, and beverages.

Even though meals are free for all, families must complete the household Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals for the 2022-23 school year to ensure district eligibility for various programs.

School calendar

First day off: Monday, Sept. 5, in observance of Labor Day.

For more important dates on school schedule, see the 2022-23 academic calendar.

Colleges and private schools start-up dates

As for other educational institutions in town Babson College has the distinction of starting the earliest. Undergraduates at the four-year private business school head to class on Monday, Aug. 29.

St. John School, the private Catholic school that educates students up to grade 6, starts classes on Tuesday, Aug. 30.

School gets going at both Tenacre Country Day School (private pre-K through grade 6) and at Dana Hall (private grades 5-12, boarding and day) on Tuesday, Sept. 6.

Classes begin at MassBay Community College and Wellesley College on Tuesday, Sept. 6.

Our kids have made it through the Wellesley Public School system. We can use your help if you have kids in the system or if you work for the system to please pass along any school memos you think might be of interest to the Wellesley community at large: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com

Wellesley Business Buzz: Heroes Fitness expanding into Central Street storefront; Jejes Coffeehouse getting closer

August 25, 2022 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

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

Heroes Fitness expanding into Central Street storefront

Connor Griffin, founder and personal trainer at Heroes Fitness in Wellesley Square, says the business is expanding beyond its space in the lower section of 98 Central St., to the top floor, with front access in between Lockheart Restaurant and MiniLuxe (formerly home to Dunkin’ Donuts).

“So we will have 2 full floors of gyms,” Griffin says. “Now with the expansion we will have a full class schedule and open gym membership as well as new trainers for personal training. We plan to do a grand opening September 12/13.”

Jejes Coffeehouse getting closer

When Jejes Coffeehouse opens its doors at 259 Washington St., hopefully by the end of next month, it will be celebrating more than its arrival in Wellesley.

The small coffeehouse’s sister company, Jejes Coffee Roasters in Sharon, just earned two bronze medals at Golden Bean, which bills itself as the world’s largest coffee roasting competition.

Jejes Coffeehouse manager Duse Lee says “We submitted for four categories (espresso, milk, filter, and alternative milk) from three roasts: Jeju, Dokdo, and Dohl. Dohl and Dokdo were awarded bronze in the espresso and milk categories, which are the backbone of any coffee shop.”

Jejes’ owner Sunny Lee began roasting coffee in South Korea about 12 years ago, and upon coming to the United States roasted for family and friends before launching the business in 2020.

In researching the Wellesley location, Lee says the Jejes team tried a couple of coffee shops in Wellesley and concluded its offerings wee significantly different. “We realized that Wellesley needs a coffee shop that offers specialty coffee,” Lee said.

While you’ve got a bit longer to wait until Jejes opens here, you can order its products online.

In addition to coffee, Jejes will sell baked goods, including cookies, scones, and muffins, as well as various cold and hot drinks. The business will mainly focus on take-out given its small space, and will operate weekdays from 8am-1pm.

“When we’re ready, we will add more dessert options that go well with coffee and are not too sweet so that people can know the real taste of coffee,” Lee says.

Lockheart owner’s plan for Allston pub shot down

The owner of the new Lockheart restaurant in Wellesley had to do some convincing to get the Select Board’s approval for an alcohol license late last year. But he didn’t have as much luck with the Boston Licensing Board in his bid to buy and reopen the White Horse Tavern in Allston, according to a report by Universal Hub.

Charles River Regional Chamber holds meet & greet

Dozens of Charles River Regional Chamber members and guests connected in the Linden Square courtyard on Thursday morning for, we dare say, a real live networking event.

It was nice to meet some of our readers who we’ve previously known only through email or comments left on our sites, as well as others curious about our Swellesley Report and Natick Report sites.

Banking, fitness, publishing, and home healthcare were among the fields represented by those we met at the event. Wife-and-husband teams, like our own, also seemed to be in vogue.

Charles River Chamber, Wellesley — The Linden Square Courtyard was the setting for a Charles River Regional Chamber event. Members hobnobbed and talked up their various businesses and non-profits.

Know about business openings and closings? Let us know: theswellesleyreport@gmail.com