The Sara Campbell sale in Wellesley you don’t want to miss
Wellesley business spotlight: London Harness in Wellesley Square
SPONSORED POST: London Harness, Wellesley’s premier retailer of gifts, luggage, handbags, leather accessories and more, lists “surviving the pandemic of 1918” as part of the 100+ year-old company’s history. With that kind of experience under their belts, it’s not surprising that they immediately went into action last winter to expand their product selection to include what customers need to navigate today’s world.
You can still find the perfect wallet, MZ Wallace handbag or TUMI backpack, of course. But now the store also offers essential personal protection accessories; masks and apparel; and even portable UV light sterilizers for phones and living spaces. To ensure that every in-store shopping experience is safe for customers and staff, London Harness has put in place ActivePure Technology, a powerful virus disinfection system that purifies store air and disinfects surfaces.
There are so many ways to get the London Harness shopping experience, even without stopping into the Wellesley Square shop. “We fully encourage customers to call us to let us know how they prefer to shop, including by phone, FaceTime, after-hours appointment, or curbside pickup,” says store owner and president of the Wellesley Merchants Association, Demian Wendrow. “Every sale we get is so important to us. And since we have hundreds of resources, we can find or special-order what they’re looking for, even if it’s not online or in-store.”
Other London Harness services:
- Monogramming on leather, and engraving on metals and glass, including both on items not bought in-store
- Gift wrapping
- Corporate gifts, such as recognition awards
- Diploma plaques
- …and more
“Please think of us first, as well as all the Wellesley merchants,” says Wendrow. “As one customer said, ‘You need us and we need you. Let’s do this.’ And so we’re here for you to shop in-store, by phone, or online at LondonHarness.com. Thank you.”
Interested in having YOUR business highlighted in a “Wellesley Business Spotlight” post? Contact [email protected]
for more info.
Shop “Community First,” shop Wellesley first
SPONSORED POST: The holiday spirit in Wellesley is always about “Community First,” and 2020 is no different. That message is on full display on the green pallet Christmas Tree just inside London Harness on Central Street, and the “Community First” message doesn’t end there. All over Wellesley at storefronts throughout Central Street, Church Street, Grove and Washington Streets, and Linden Square, scores of festive trees hand-cut from simple wooden pallets and hand-painted by volunteers have been creatively decorated to reflect a holiday vision of joy and hope.
In an example of true community partnership, Wellesley High school Key Club members volunteered their time to attach each tree to its assigned parking meter, where it will remain for the holiday season. Green’s Hardware donated the paint to make over 70 pallet Christmas Trees beautiful. And Needham Bank serves as the sponsor for the “Festival of Trees—A Community Celebration.”
Thanks to this widespread community effort, a holiday season like no other now feels like a holiday season to be remembered for all the right reasons. Wellesley merchants, many of whom live in town or nearby, have stopped at nothing to make it possible for you to shop when and how you want. They’ve expanded services to ensure that no matter how you want to shop, they can make it happen. Whether you prefer to shop online, in-store, by phone or even via FaceTime, it’s all possible. Plus curbside pick-up is always an option.
Some merchants have invested in ActivePure Technology, the NASA-certified Air and Surface Pro ActivePure Technology disinfection system to keep both customers and staff as safe as possible. (See the list of participating merchants here: https://shopwellesleysquare.
There’s no doubt it’s holiday shopping crunch time. Shopping local right now is the best way to ensure that gifts are in hand for the big day. For more information on Wellesley shops, restaurants, and services, visit https://shopwellesleysquare.
Linden Square in Wellesley to get $7 million upgrade
Federal Realty Investment Trust — the owners and operators of Linden Square — has taken a step closer to making big changes to the Wellesley shopping area, anchored by Roche Bros. supermarket. Wellesley’s Design Review Board this month approved a comprehensive Property Improvement Plan, which calls for Federal Realty to put about $7 million dollars into changes. Work is expected to begin in 2021 and continue through 2022.
Property enhancements will include upgrades to outdoor seating, landscaping, signs, and architectural facades. The south side of the shopping area (the California Pizza Kitchen side) in particular is going to get a lot of rehab love in an effort to make it as inviting as the north side.
“Part of the idea with the project is to pull the two sides of the street together visually so that people will see both those sides as part of the same shopping area that is Linden Square,” said a spokesperson, who works closely with the retail group.
The last time the area underwent a facelift was in 2017, when the Courtyard benefited from improved seating and a commitment was made to using space for community art projects involving local artists and students. In addition, a raised-bed vegetable garden project in the Courtyard moved forward in partnership with Charles River Center in Needham, which supports people with developmental disabilities through employment and day services; residential services; family support; and more.
“Our primary goal is to upgrade the overall environment of Linden Square and position our retailers for long-term success,” said Mark Hebert, Vice President, Development Northeast for Federal Realty. “These improvements will help attract the highest quality resources for our shoppers.”
Coming soon
Pink Soda will open in early 2021 in Linden Square. The full-service blow dry bar and hair salon also has locations in Connecticut in Stamford, Danbury and West Hartford. According to their marketing materials, the beauty spot specializes in “beautifying you into a goddess, using a range of treatments fit for a queen.”
Pink Soda will also offer full salon services such as color, highlights, blowouts, ladies and little ladies cuts, makeup, organic spray tans, and more.
Slowing down
You may have noticed a speed bump in the entry area between the Linden Service gas station and Roosters, and another one closely following the first bump. Last month a Wellesley resident lost her dog in that part of the parking lot. The driver left the scene without stopping. The family was devastated by the tragedy. We’re hoping the speed bumps help slow traffic down.
- Subscribe to Swellesley’s daily email
- Please consider contributing to Swellesley to sustain our independent journalism venture
Wellesley Festival of Trees—a community celebration
SPONSORED POST: With the community merchants of Wellesley facing the holiday season without the cherished Holiday Stroll and other traditional festivities, they needed an idea. And one has been hatched; a novel concept born out of creativity and resourcefulness: a Festival of Trees – A Community Celebration.
Storefronts throughout Central Street, Church Street, Grove and Washington Streets, and Linden Square will be decorated with scores of festive trees hand-cut from wooden pallets and similar materials. Each tree, adopted by a local business, community organization or charity, will be creatively decorated to represent their mission and holiday vision.
Brainstorming, circular saws and paint brushes
Every week since March, store owners from Wellesley Square and Linden Square have met via Zoom to compare notes on the latest resources to navigate these times, plan new ways to serve their customers and encourage each other. Then in October, the business owners created a list of new options for the holidays. The first possibilities weren’t practical and everyone grew silent. Then what appeared on everyone’s screen was a photo of a red and green Christmas tree made of wood.
“What about this?” asked Rick Cram, consultant to the Wellesley Square Merchants’ Association. “I made several of these for my family and friends a few years ago. Imagine the streets lined with these.”
The decision was instantaneous. “Let’s do this,” the owners said.
Teams of merchants quickly formed, some ready to go with circular saws, others with paint brushes in hand. And the project was underway.
[Read more…]
Wellesley residents line up to shop their neighbors’ cast-offs
There are a few select spots in town where Wellesley residents are willing to line up for the kind of choice delicacies that delivery services just can’t be trusted to handle. The Cheese Shop on the days before Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Green’s Hardware on a Saturday morning during a pandemic are a couple that come to mind.
Add the Reusables Area, at the town’s Recycling and Disposal Facility (RDF), to that short but elite list. There are many homes in town in which every room has in some way been “touched by the dump.” A vase in this corner, a side table in the dining room, an area rug—one never knows when the perfect find will present itself, get loaded into the Lex, and given pride of place among the carefully curated interiors of Swellesley homes.
With the area’s limited COVID-driven system that allows drop-off of items and shopping on alternate weeks, along with limited hours for both, the area has become the hottest place in town. When we made our weekly dump run, residents were lined up to shop the tables, patiently waiting behind the Jersey barriers for their turn to be one of 20 at a time allowed to cruise the area in search of treasures.
With the shopping part of the equation ending soon (Fri., Nov. 20 is the final drop-off day; Fri. Nov. 27 is the final shopping day), the Reusable Area’s precious resources are becoming scarce, indeed. Who knew the basic principles of economics would come to reveal themselves so dramatically at the dump?
Wellesley RDF hours
Keep in mind that the Reusables Area’s schedule has no bearing on the rest of the RDF’s doings. You can drop off your recycling, trash, yard waste, and more at these times:
Mon. – Wed.: 7am – noon
Thur., Fri., Sat.: 7am – 3:45pm
Sun., (July 12 – November 29, 2020): 10am – 3pm
The Cashmere Sale is back in Wellesley Square
SPONSORED POST: Welcome back to The Cashmere Sale of Boston‘s 10th big year.
This year is going to be a little different. So that all may shop at our Wellesley Square location with personalized service in a safe environment, we are offering shopping by appointment.
Each 30-minute appointment can accommodate up to two people. More than that will require a separate appointment.
- Upon your arrival we will obey strict COVID-19 protocols as mandated by The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. When you walk in, please use the touch-free hand sanitizer dispenser. Masks are mandatory, and we have fresh ones available if you’d like. They’re pink, so of course you’ll want one! Your safety and our safety are paramount.
- Please show up on time so that we can accommodate everyone. If your plans change, we understand, but please cancel your appointment and schedule a new one.
- Please take a moment to view our website before your visit at www.thecashmeresale.com
- Our ultimate goal is to provide you a comfortable, safe and fun shopping experience. And of course, we will continue to offer beautiful styles at the very best prices.
We can’t wait to see you…
Heidi and The Cashmere Sale Team
[email protected]
