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Shop “Community First,” shop Wellesley first

December 24, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

Wellesley Square MerchantsSPONSORED 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.”

Wellesley Square Merchants, London Harness
Wellesley Square Merchants, London Harness

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.com/wellesley-merchants-with-activepure-technology.)

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.com/

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Filed Under: Business, Holidays, Shopping

Linden Square, Wellesley
Write Ahead

Linden Square in Wellesley to get $7 million upgrade

December 18, 2020 by Deborah Brown 1 Comment

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.

Linden Square upgrades, Wellesley
This rendering by HFA Architecture and Engineering shows California Pizza Kitchen (or “Tenant Sign” as it’s called here) and the adjacent stores with upgraded architectural elements. The outdoor seating area pictured just might draw the steady stream of pedestrian traffic that is one of project goals. At the far left, artist Alexander Golob’s 2018 mural, “Coloring Book,” remains part of the plan.

 

“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.

linden square speed bump
This Linden Square speed bump looks like it’s always been there.

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Filed Under: Business, Construction, Shopping

Page Waterman, Wellesley
London Harness, Wellesley

Wellesley Festival of Trees—a community celebration

November 26, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

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.

Wellesley Festival of Trees
Demian Wendrow, owner of London Harness and TUMI Wellesley, and volunteer President of the Wellesley Square Merchants’ Association.

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…]

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Filed Under: Business, Holidays, Shopping

Stretch Lab, Wellesley

Wellesley residents line up to shop their neighbors’ cast-offs

November 13, 2020 by Deborah Brown 2 Comments

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.

Wellesley Reusables Area
The Wellesley Reusables Area is currently the hottest shopping spot in town. As I drove by the area on my way to the compactors on Nov. 12, I wondered if Wasik’s Cheese Shop had set up an outpost here and was taking orders for Camembert.

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.

Wasik's Cheese Shop, Wellesley
Wasik’s Cheese Shop, Wellesley. File photo 2015.

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


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Filed Under: Animals, COVID-19, Dump, Shopping

The Cashmere Sale is back in Wellesley Square

October 30, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment

The Cashmere Sale, Wellesley
For your safety and the safety of our staff, only a limited number of people are allowed to in-store shop at one time. Should you prefer to make an appointment, log on to calendy.com/boston cashmere. Or place your order online at thecashmeresale.com, and use the code: boston2020

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]

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Filed Under: Business, Fashion, Shopping

Wellesley dump’s Reusables Area to reopen

October 19, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Wellesley RDF reusables
Wellesley Reusables Area

Good news: the Wellesley Recycling and Disposal Facility‘s Reusables Area will reopen Wed., Oct, 21, 8am – noon, for drop-off only.

Better news: starting Wed., Oct. 28, 8am – noon, the Reusables Area will reopen for “shopping.”

These are COVID times, so there are a lot of rules. Here’s the lowdown:

Step 1: Reusables Area’s hours:

The Reusables Area will be open three three days per week:
Wednesday: 8am – noon
Thursday: 8am – 3:45pm
Friday: 8am – 3:45pm

Step 2: Drop-off only at first

To start, the Reusables Area will be open only for dropping off items:
Wed., 10/21, 8am – noon
Thur., 10/22, 8am – 3:45pm
Fri., 10/23, 8am – 3:45pm
There will be no shopping (also referred to as “pick-up”) on these days.

Step 3: “Shopping” begins

Next, the Reusables Area will be open only for shopping:
Wed., 10/28, 8am – noon
Thur., 10/29, 8am – 3:45pm
Fri., 10/30, 8am – 3:45pm
There will be no drop-off on these days.

Step 4: Rotation system

Dropping off and picking up of items will be rotated each week. You can see the weekly schedule under the READ MORE tag of this post.

Step 5: Know the rules

  • The Reusables Area will be closed to residents on Mondays, Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
  • A limit of 20 residents will be allowed at any time. This rule will be strictly enforced by the RDF.
  • Residents and volunteers must wear masks at all times.
  • One entrance and exit into the site will be allowed: RDF will monitor all activity.
  • Limited parking will be available.
  • A new shortened 10-minute per day shopping rule will be strictly enforced by the RDF. The area is not meant for socializing,
  • Acceptance of large items will be limited and the decision to accept/reject large items will be made by the volunteer captain on duty.
  • The drive thru ‘drop-off’ zone will be available for dropping off items only—no browsing allowed while parked in the drop-off zone
  • The area will likely stay open until the end of Nov./early Dec., depending on the weather.

Volunteers needed

Please contact the RDF office if you are interested in volunteering with the Wellesley Friends of Recycling: 781-235-7600 x3345.

We hear the group’s annual Yankee Swap and potluck is a great time.

Despite the rules and regs, we’re feeling joyful

Those dark corners of our garage and basement have been filling up with stuff we don’t need anymore but that is too good to throw away. Back in pre-pandemic times, that is to say 2019, we would simply bring that old side table or cast-off area rug to the Wellesley Recycling and Disposal Facility’s Reusables Area. It was easy, there was no planning required, and we didn’t have to fuss around on Facebook and arrange a meeting with a stranger to unload our old stuff.

The Reusables Area closed for the winter last December, so our stuff has been piling up for close to a year. Now we can finally get rid of it all. And maybe pick up one or two things that catch our eye during shopping week. We admit it, there’s not a room in our house that hasn’t been “touched by the dump”. Here are a couple gems we picked up awhile back:

Wellesley RDF
This rectangular dish is perfect for keeping the TV remotes corralled. Mrs. Swellesley once used the stone heart as a coaster for her mug of hot tea while she stared into her closet, mulling over what to wear for the day. Back when sartorial decisions seemed to matter. Note ancient red zip-up sweatshirt in corner of the shot. It’s on pretty heavy rotation these days.

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

Here’s the Reusables Area’s weekly schedule:

[Read more…]

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Filed Under: Dump, Shopping

Halloween-time cuteness overload in Wellesley

October 19, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

The Linden Square Courtyard was the site of a socially distanced autumn event as members of the Wellesley Mothers Forum brought their kids to the shopping area to decorate pumpkins and pose for selfies in the seasonal pumpkin patch. Here are a few pics:

Linden Square, Wellesley
Roche Bros. donated the pumpkins to the effort. After kids finished decorating their own pumpkins, many helped out by decorating any extras to be put on display in front of Roche Bros.
Linden Square, Wellesley
Spiderman dropped by to pose in one of the two pumpkin patches in the Courtyard. Linden Square is seeking all costumed kids to snap and share their pumpkin patch photos on Insta with the hashtag #LindenSquareWellesley or #CodeNinjasSpooky for the chance to win great prizes. Contestants must be 13 and under to enter. Submit your photos by Oct. 31st. Winners will be announced Nov. 2nd.

Linden Square, Wellesley

Linden Square, Wellesley

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Filed Under: Business, Kids, Shopping

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