Wellesley Business Buzz: Go pink for Ellie Fund; Stretch Lab cuts ribbon; Wellesley Books author visits are back; Real estate renaissance; Soccer signups

September 26, 2022 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

The latest Wellesley, Mass., business news:

Wellesley goes pink for the Ellie Fund

Be on the lookout for Wellesley retailers who are honoring National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by turning the town pink with decorated storefronts, and pink-themed events in support of the Ellie Fund.

The support of the Ellie Fund takes place across Wellesley for the entire week of October 1-8. As part of the Wonderful Wellesley campaign to invigorate shopping in town, shops and restaurants will be stepping up and stepping out to turn Wellesley pink for Ellie Fund. Starting October 1 and throughout the month, stores like Natureworks, Isabel Harvey, Sara Campbell, Kenzie & Hope, and more will be decked with pink window displays and balloons. Look for employees at Roosters and The Cottage wearing Ellie t-shirts donated by Custom Ink. Others will be donating a portion of sales on a specific day(s) to Ellie Fund. Some businesses will be rounding up each sale and donating to the charity. More information here on Wellesley Square participants and Linden Square doings.

The Ellie Fund’s mission is to provide essential support services for breast cancer patients to ease the stresses of everyday life, allowing the focus to be on family, recovery and healing. The foundation provides transportation to medical appointments, light housekeeping, nutritional and grocery assistance, childcare reimbursement, nutritious prepared/delivered meals and integrative therapy services free of charge. No proof of financial need, residency, or citizenship is required. To donate to the Ellie Fund, click here .

“Ellie Fund is near and dear to Wellesley businesses and our customers. We are looking forward to Wellesley Goes Pink to raise the awareness and funds needed,” said Demian Wendrow on behalf of the Wonderful Wellesley campaign. Wendrow is the President, Wellesley Square Merchants’ Association and Owner of London Harness and TUMI Wellesley.

StretchLab in Linden Square under new ownership

It’s not a stretch to say that Dr. Jamie Snead is qualified to assess the safety and efficacy of a studio that offers one-on-one stretching as a way for clients to stay limber and prevent injuries. Jamie (as he prefers to go by in the studio) is not only chief of orthopedics at Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, he’s also gone through the StretchLab training program, which he proclaimed, “pretty intense.”

StretchLab Wellesley — StretchLab owners Dr. Jamie Snead (wearing hat) and Kelly Snead (wielding scissors) at the grand opening. Local luminaries attended including Select Board member Beth Sullivan Woods (far left, in bright blue) and Lise Elcock from the Charles River Regional Chamber.

The idea behind the one-on-one stretching is that certified “flexologists” work with clients individually to identify tightness and body imbalances, and customize a stretch routine. The goal is to experience the freedom that comes with having a wider range of motion and flexibility.

Jamie, along with his spouse and business partner Kelly, came across a StretchLab franchise when they were on vacation in Arizona a couple of years ago. They tried out a sample stretch and were impressed. “When we got back here we looked into it, and ended up buying the existing Wellesley Linden square franchise,” she said.

One of the flexologists gave my twitchy hip flexors a 30-minute workover while I was there for the studio’s grand opening. Although I still need a hip replacement (they’re flexologists, not miracle workers), I came away feeling that my joints benefited from the attention. Most importantly, the young woman working with me listened. As she stretched me out, there was no pressure to endure any pain, and she made no sudden movements during the session.

Business: StretchLab
Location: Linden Square, Wellesley (across from the CVS drive-in)
Phone: 339-217-0217

Sign up now for Wellesley Youth Soccer

Registration is still open for Wellesley Youth Soccer’s pre-K through third grade in-town programs and for the additional professionally led development program for grades pre-K through fifth grade.

Wellesley Books author visit

In-person author visits are back at Wellesley Books, so I stopped in to see best-selling dynamic author duo Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone on their tour to promote their joint effort, A Merry Little Meet Cute. With frank scenes about mental health struggles, the progressiveness of sex work, queer self-acceptance, and more, the holiday-themed novel isn’t your average rom-com romp. What it does have in common with that genre is romantic fiction fun, hi-jinks, and hilarity.

Julie Murphy (left) and Sierra Simone (right) spoke about their holiday rom-com, A Merry Little Meet Cute, at Wellesley Books — Julie Murphy (left) and Sierra Simone (right) spoke about their holiday rom-com, *A Merry Little Meet Cute*, at Wellesley Books

Julie is the author of the Y/A book Dumplin’ (and its Netflix adaptation starring Jennifer Aniston), about a self-proclaimed fat girl who takes on her small Texas town’s annual beauty pageant. Sierra, as she delicately put it at the reading, writes “a little on the spicier side. I tend to write a little more of the forbidden stuff.” Medieval bodice rippers that include ancient and sexy secrets are right in her wheelhouse.

It all started in the back of a van

Julie and Sierra were a kick at the sold-out reading, treating the audience to the story of their own best-friends origin story. Like so many meet-cute tales, theirs started in the back of a van at the start of an authors’ tour. Julie had agreed to go on tour, but had a laundry list of misgivings. “I’m not very good with strangers. And I’m not very good at sharing a room with people I don’t know. I like my privacy,” she revealed to the audience.

Prepared to hate Sierra, her tour roomie, Julie had her lead all prepared. “Hi, I’m Julie Murphy, and sometimes I snore,” she said by way of self-introduction.

“That’s ok,” Sierra said. “I have narcolepsy, and I can sleep through anything.”

That was eight years ago, and they’ve been best friends ever since. A Merry Little Meet Cute got its start when the pair retreated to a little cabin in the middle of nowhere in Oklahoma, right before Christmas. It was a place where Julie and Sierra found they could let themselves work in their own rhythm. “These little cabins were always decorated for Christmas, and it really set a mood,” Julie said.

And out of that mood came A Merry Little Meet Cute, which Sierra said is a plus-size rom-com about “an adult content creator who has partnered with an adult entertainment producer with a heart of gold. His work producing adult films isn’t as lucrative as he needs right now. So he figures what if to make a quick buck he breaks into the holiday movie business?”

Of course, the star of the squeaky-clean Hallmark-type movie has to keep her regular gig in adult film-making a secret. Of course, someone on the set knows her secret. Things just might get so steamy in the town of Christmas Notch that snow begins to melt.

Note: Sierra’s Y/A chops notwithstanding, this is not a book for your young adult reader. A Merry Little Meet Cute is strictly for the 18+ year old crowd.

BOOK: A Merry Little Meet Cute
AUTHORS: Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone
PUBLISHER: HarperCollins

What’s behind Wellesley’s ‘Real Estate Renaissance’?

The Charles River Regional Chamber on Oct. 6 (12-1pm) presents an online panel discussion on Wellesley’s “Real Estate Renaissance,” the topic of a recent Boston Globe article written by a reporter who interviewed non other than Mr. Swellesley among other locals. The online session is free for members, $20 for non-members.

Wellesley’s real estate action has included new restaurants and retailers, new multi-family developments, plus the early stages of bio labs.

Presenters

Scott Faber, senior VP of investments, Lincoln Property
Amy Frigulietti, assistant executive director, Town of Wellesley
Elizabeth Holmes, director of corporate services, R.W. Holmes Realty
Joel Kadis, co-CEO & partner, Linear Retail Properties

MORE: Wellesley’s amped-up restaurants scene

All about fall fashion in Wonderful Wellesley

September 18, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

SPONSORED POST: Post-pandemic fashion has a new mantra—out with the casual in with high-voltage dressing. It’s not the time to blend into the crowd. Stand out with colors like bright green, golden yellow and gorgeous pink. You can be unapologetically glam.

What’s hot in Wellesley Square

“Customers are finally going places,” says, Jen Devlin from Salt Boutique. They need clothes for an evening out, a luncheon, a getaway. You name it, they are on the move and are being out in the world again.”

Speaking about going places, Wellesley fashionistas are buying bomber jackets trimmed in shearling, long sweater dresses, leggings both straight and flared, loafers, moto boots, leather anything, relaxed trousers, and luxe handbags. Demian Wendrow, owner of London Harness and Tumi recommends checking out MZ Wallace’s hottest new Bowery Sling, which combines the always on-trend style of the crossbody with the hands-free option of the popular belt bag.

Wonderful Wellesley, fashion — Go green and gold with fall accessories from Isabel Harvey.

Isabel Harvey’s dynamic duo, owners Kimberley Kissam and Alexis Kissam, know what’s trending for jewelry this season. “It’s all about gold and more gold. Stacking, layering, and hoops are the style this fall. Green is also having its moment, even in jewelry.”

What’s cool in Linden Square

Sara Campbell is raving about the new fall wardrobe staple. Whether it is running errands or brunch with friends, The Garment Dyed Pullover will be your favorite piece all season. The mock neck pullover in this sensational shade of blue signals bright days ahead.

Shani Defina from Kenzie and Hope is saying, “Hello hot pink! Pink is trending in every shade from muted blush to neon. And don’t think it is just for little girls. We are seeing this beautiful hue on tops, pants, jackets, sweaters and more for women and girls of all ages.”

With new stores on the horizon—Lululemon is coming to Central Street, and more are sure to come—you won’t have to go any further than Wonderful Wellesley to shop for every mood and every occasion.

Beyond Wellesley—we visit the beautiful Cornell University area

September 16, 2022 by Deborah Brown 2 Comments

Ithaca, N.Y., is the kind of destination where the usual summer fun is on tap—there are plenty of spots to hike, bike, swim, shop, and dine—yet the two-college city (Cornell University and Ithaca College) feels homey, a place where its 30k+ full-time residents and the student population work, play, and live side-by-side. Fortunately for the 1.6 million visitors between May 2019 and 2020 to the Commons, the area’s busiest shopping and dining district, the locals like to share their secrets.

We booked an Airbnb for a few nights in early September and drove the 5.5 hours from Wellesley. Our goals: to see Ithaca’s famous gorges, enjoy some good meals, bike the safe and scenic Rail Trail up to Taughannock Falls (the tallest waterfall on the East Coast), hike the beautiful Robert H. Treman State Park, visit the Johnson Museum of Art on the Cornell University campus, and more. You don’t go to Ithaca to experience the fall “shoulder season,” that period of time after the crush of tourists has gone home and you can finally get into all the cool restaurants and attractions. You just go to visit Ithaca. If you want a party scene, it’s there for you, somewhere. Certainly the red solo cups littered around student rental houses after a Saturday night debauch attest to that. It’s just not in your face, demanding your attention and participation. (We’re still kinda exhausted from last year’s adventure to Block Island, a rock-on place if ever there was one.)

Working out the kinks

After being in the car for so long, we were eager to stretch our legs. We went straight to the Fall Creek Gorge suspension bridge, a part of the Cornell campus, where we walked 140 feet over the rushing water, alongside students on their way to class. There’s a small parking area at 310 Fall Creek Dr. After walking over the bridge, there are plenty of paths along the water for additional exploration.

We were told ahead of time that the beauty of the bridges was marred by fencing and safety netting that was put in place in 2010 after a long history of people jumping from the Fall Creek Gorge and other nearby bridges. We found that the unobtrusive netting couldn’t grab attention from the roar of the water and the natural beauty of the scene. When you consider that before safety measures were installed, 27 people died by suicide between 1990 and 2010 (including 15 students) by jumping from the five area bridges, the protective measures seem a small price to pay.

The Commons, dining and shopping

Ithaca Commons is the area’s hot hangout scene, a place to catch a movie at the Cinemapolis Art House Theater, or visit Buffalo Street Books to browse volumes on two floors, and their basement collection of vinyl. We peeked into the iconic Chanticleer, but the landmark corner dive-bar looked too cool for the likes of us. We didn’t want to go in and risk altering the vibe. Lots of indie shops and restaurants gave the two-block pedestrian mall an authentic feel. You couldn’t just as well have been in Faneuil Hall. The Commons is all Ithaca, from the head shops to the outdoors store to upscale artisans shops and restaurants. Not much in the way of chains here.

Down the street a couple of blocks from The Commons is the famous Moosewood Restaurant, which we tried out our first night in town. The vegetarian eatery is under new ownership since earlier this year. Danica Wilcox and her husband Nicholas, after living in Spain for many years, came home to take over the restaurant where Danica long ago was hired for her first job in the Moosewood kitchen. We sat outside on the lovely brick patio and watched the street scene go by. Our servers, both local students— one experienced and one in-training acolyte—were attentive and able to answer our questions about the dishes on the curated, seasonal menu. The choices included five apps, a few salads, several mains, and three side dishes, all vegetarian, with vegan and gluten-free options. I tried out the strozzapreti pasta (similar to penne) with shiitake and oyster mushrooms, baby spinach, sherry cream, gremolata, and parmesan. The dish, unfortunately, was bland and barely sauced. Moosewood is the kind of place where there are no salt and pepper shakers on the table, and I was determined to eat dinner as it was served for the purposes of this story. I doggy-bagged most of the meal and doctored it the next day on my Airbnb’s hotplate. A dash of seasoning and a little cream brought the strozzapreti to life, making it what it surely would have been if the chef’s final tasting hadn’t somehow been missed. Mr. Swellesley dared try his historic first black bean burger, and lived to tell about it. Who knows what the future could bring for his limited palate.

The lemon tahini broccoli and the spicy coconut curry we’re told are two must-try items. Homemade desserts include their famous fudge brownie. Wines and beers, some local, as well as a selection of creative non-alcoholic drinks such as ginger tea and fresh-squeezed lemonade, are available in this restaurant, which offers nice ambience in a convivial downtown location.

It’s all uphill from here

We made a quest out of our desire to see Taughannock Falls, a 215-foot waterfall billed as the highest vertical drop waterfall in the northeastern United States. Ithaca Bike Rental, located in view of the 45k-acre Cayuga Lake, outfitted us in good-quality bikes up to the task of taking us along a scenic paved

[Read more…]

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+.

Free craft-making for kids all around Wonderful Wellesley

September 3, 2022 by admin Leave a Comment

Families are back from far-flung vacations destination, and the kids are back in school. It’s something to celebrate, so get out there in Wellesley on Saturday, September 10, 11am-2pm for the FREE Wonderful Wellesley Crafts for Kids event.

From rock and bird-house painting to making noodle monstahs, kids can be kids and create their own mini-masterpieces with paste, paint, felt, and pom-poms. Qualified teachers and artists will be helping kids ages 3-12 at each craft station.

Crafts in Wellesley Square

Central Street Parklet: Paper butterflies and flowers, sun prints, and more.
Church Square: Potting with seedlings at NatureWorks (577 Washington St)

Crafts in Linden Square

Rock and bird-house painting, stamp making, tie dye, noodle monstahs, and pottery.
Wellesley Free Library will be at Linden so kids can sign up for their own library card.

About Wonderful Wellesley

Wonderful Wellesley—a multi-partner collaboration between the Wellesley Square Merchants’ Association; Linden Square Wellesley; Church Square Wellesley; the Town of Wellesley; and the Charles River Regional Chamber—is all about renewing a sense of community. And it’s been working. Whether it’s to check out the amped-up restaurant scene in town, participate in community events like last spring’s Family Fun & Games Day, or just to enjoy all that the town has to offer, people have been getting back out into Wellesley again. Join in the fun, won’t you?

Touring Wellesley Square with Congressman Auchincloss

August 3, 2022 by Deborah Brown 1 Comment

U.S. Representative Jake Auchincloss stopped into town yesterday for a short walking tour of Wellesley Square to learn about the changing landscape and challenges of the “downtown” shopping district. Organized by the Charles River Regional Chamber, the tour group included the Congressman; Greg Reibman and Tracey Aldrich Antaya of the Chamber; Town of Wellesley Assistant Executive Director Amy Frigulietti; and myself.

Congressman Jake Auchincloss, Wellesley — Congressman Jake Auchincloss, Town of Wellesley Assistant Executive Director Amy Frigulietti, and Charles River Charles River Regional Chamber president Greg Reibman walk through Wellesley Square. During the tour, Frigulietti discussed the ongoing Wellesley Square planning process and what residents would like to see in the area. She said initial brainstorming ideas from residents have included wider sidewalks, more parking, less parking, improved lighting, and planters. “We call it our Amenities Package. We’re looking to reinvest in the whole Square and kind of do a facelift of the Square.”

The small size of the group allowed the conversation to flow naturally as Auchincloss took the opportunity to speak with the owners of several businesses in the Square. Topics included:

Challenges of holding on during COVID
Parking—Demian Wendrow, Wellesley Square Merchants Association president and owner of London Harness and Tumi, said customers always want more parking. Auchincloss, a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, countered with, “Constituents are always going to say they want more parking, but what they really mean is they want to make it easy to find a space, and those are two different things.” He suggested working toward finding cheaper long-term parking away from the downtown core.
Town efforts—Frigulietti talked about the $50K grant the town has used in part so far for the town-wide Wonderful Wellesley initiative, and the $100K grant that was used to put together the parklet in Wellesley Square at the intersection of Central and Cross Streets, in between where the Gap was and Ardan Medspa + Salon operates.

Touring Wellesley Square has its charms, but when it’s time to cut loose it’s hard to beat a good round of dodgeball at Bates School with the Community Investors program, a local 501(c)(3). Student participants in the program’s PlayRox Youth Wellness Initiative didn’t go easy on the Congressman.

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

Wellesley Business Buzz: Bach to Rock instrument petting zoo; Fleuri reseeds across the street; outdoor dining at Alta Strada

August 1, 2022 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Our roundup of the latest Wellesley, Mass., business news:

Bach to Rock instrument petting zoo at Linden Square

Bach to Rock is holding a series of free Friday instrument petting zoo events on Aug 5, 12 & 26. Each event will take place at 1pm in the Linden Square Courtyard.

The music school, which opened in Wellesley in 2016 and is now under new ownership, provides lessons in guitar, piano, drums, voice, violin, trumpet, and more for students of all ages and skill levels.

Fleuri Designs makes a move

Fleuri Designs has moved across the street in Linden Square, from the Roche Bros. side to the its new location next to Tatte Bakery. Owner Zoë Forbes has kept the store’s signature clean and beautiful Fleuri aesthetic with plenty of faux florals and plants, gifts, décor items, and chic home accent pieces. New to this location: occasional furniture, and a refrigerated case for fresh flowers. Zoë and her team can now let loose and make gorgeous fresh floral arrangements, something they couldn’t do across the street due to a non-compete clause with the Roche Bros. floral department. But non-compete clauses can’t cross the street, which is valuable information you heard here first.

Fleuri also has a location on Beacon Hill at 98 Charles St.

Restaurant visit: An outdoor dinner at Alta Strada

It’s hard to believe that Alta Strada in Wellesley Square has been serving delicious Italian classics for 15 years, but here we are. The popular local spot is owned by Michael Schlow, who runs four additional Alta Stradas as well as the Hermitage Inn in West Dover, Vermont; the Tico in Washington, DC; Monti Roman Pizzeria in Boston; and other restaurants. Many publications (Esquire, Food & Wine, Conde Nast Traveler) have joined The Swellesley Report in writing up aspects of the busy chef’s culinary empire.

The outdoor patio with its cheerful red umbrellas beckoned us on a warm night, the kind when ordering off the creative cocktail menu seems mandatory; We tried out the spot’s namesake Alta Strada, a vodka, pomegranate, and blood 0range mix served in a martini glass, a fun and summery way to start out the meal. In addition to about 10 specialty cocktails, there are several beer choices (including Peroni, an Italian beer), a few mocktails, and a wine list with many well-priced wines by the glass.

Crispy artichoke hearts with a light-tasting pesto bianco made with walnuts, garlic, and ricotta, and pickled fresno chiles served alongside the dish was an amazing and flavorful appetizer ($15), which we highly recommend. The garlicky sauce was the perfect foil to the crispy, but not greasy, artichokes. We went all in with the ricotta theme and also tried out the ricotta spread with crostini appetizer($14), a light and delicately flavored choice.

Alta Strada, Wellesley — Alta Strada appetizer: crispy artichoke hearts with pesto bianco.