Mass. Economic Development Secretary To Address MetroWest Chamber Thursday

Secretary of Economic Development Greg Bialecki to discuss importance of infrastructure investments and building on the Governor’s plan to create jobs and expand economic opportunity throughout the Commonwealth.

The Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Economic Development Greg Bialecki will address the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce Thursday at the Exec-Connect Luncheon at the Sheraton Framingham. He will discuss the importance of infrastructure investments and building on the Governor’s plan to create jobs and expand economic opportunity throughout the Commonwealth. In Gov. Deval Patrick’s State of the Commonwealth address and in his budget announcement in January, he laid out a plan to grow jobs by making investments in education, innovation and infrastructure to grow opportunity in the near-term, and strengthen Massachusetts in the long-term. Bialecki’s remarks will focus  on the investments in education and transportation that the …

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MetroWest Tourism & Visitors Bureau Celebrates First Anniversary

The Visitors Bureau, an independent nonprofit organization, was created to stimulate economic activity in the region by marketing the assets of MetroWest to residents and visitors.

Representing businesses of all sizes, nonprofits and municipalities throughout the region, almost 200 people gathered last week to celebrate the first anniversary of the MetroWest Tourism & Visitors Bureau and to kick off a regional branding campaign entitled “MORE MetroWest.” Most of the two-hour Thursday morning event, held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Westborough, was devoted to sharing and celebrating the qualities that make MetroWest MORE special.  In roundtable discussion, attendees were asked, “What do you like MORE about MetroWest?”  Answers ranged from “diversity of dining options” to “plentiful picknicking spots” to “handmade chocolate stores," said Bureau Executive Director Susan Nicholl. With attendees hailing from 20 towns and …

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Natick in 'Final Stages' of Joining State Cultural District Program

A state program would promote an area of town as a "cultural district" could bring in new tourism, business and arts programs to Natick.

Natick is one of three Massachusetts towns in the final stages of securing a spot in a state program to create a "cultural district" in town, aimed at drawing in visitors and boosting the local economy.  Proposed for the town's downtown area, the Natick cultural district would include the Morse Institute Library, Natick Common, and the Center for Arts in Natick, boston.com reports. Cultural districts throughout the state will have marked boundaries and will be promoted by the state Office of Travel and Tourism and Massachusetts Cultural Council, the boston.com article said.  “Our goal is to maximize the public and private value of Natick Center for everyone who lives, works or visits here,’’ the town wrote in its application to the state …

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5 Steps to Claim Your Business Listing

Follow the steps in this video to use Patch to benefit your business.

If you want to increase the reach of your small business, Patch has all the tools you need.  This video will show you how you can use Patch to get the word out on why your business is the go-to place for customers.

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American Eagle Outfitters to Drop 77kids

The company reported that in fiscal 2011, the brand generated an after-tax loss of approximately $24 million on sales of $40 million. 77kids has a location in the Natick Mall.

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. announced in a press release yesterday that the company plans to exit its children's business 77kids and the associated online business.  There are 22 77kids stores in the nation, including three in Massachusetts. The Commonwealth locations are in the Natick Mall, Burlington Mall and the South Shore Plaza in Braintree. American Eagle said the company is currently exploring options for the 77kids stores, including a full or partial disposition of the assets to a third party. "Although making this decision is disappointing, it is in the best interest of the company and our shareholders to prioritize and focus our efforts on businesses with the highest return potential," Robert Hanson, chief executive officer …

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By the Numbers

Natick Food Pantry Need Highest in History

The Natick Food Pantry saw a five percent increase in food pantry usage this year, reaching the highest need the pantry has ever seen.

  The following numbers are from the Natick Service Council's Annual Report for fiscal year 2012: For the complete Natick Service Council annual update, view the attached PDF file.

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Lemon Tree Goods Has Frugally Fabulous Fashion

Lemon Tree Goods is a unique consignment shop specializing in women's clothing and supporting local artisans.

  What’s a girl to do when she wants to look fabulous for a night on the town, but doesn’t have extravagant amounts of cash to spend on jewelry or clothing? The answer is right in Natick— shop Lemon Tree Goods. Lemon Tree Goods, located at 325 N. Main St., specializes in local and original designs as well as high-quality recycled clothing. They also offer jewelry, gifts and footwear. “My partner, Bonnie Lash and I opened the store in 2009 to take advantage of the downed economy,” said Co-Owner Mary Barber. “We take gently used clothing that has been well cared for,” Barber said. “We will accept Banana Republic or better and our clothing is changed out completely every 60 days, but new items arrive weekly.” “In addition to clothing, Lemon …

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Alissa Letkowski

12:58 am on Friday, April 27, 2012

thanks for the correction!   more ›

Fran's Flowers Blooms for 32 Years

Fran's Flowers may be small, but they offer terrific products and great service.

  Mother Nature has been playing tricks with us for months now with a large snowfall in October of 2011, a mild winter, and 70 degree days in March, but Fran Morello, owner of Fran’s Flowers knew the dust would settle. “People were coming in here in March looking for tomatoes,” Morello said. “People were convinced and scared that this was global warning, but I knew Mother Nature would go back to her old ways, and tomatoes in March was a bad idea.” Morello and his brother Peter own Fran’s Flowers located at the junction of routes 9 and 27 in the Stop and Shop/Staples Plaza. The Morello’s have been in business for 32 years. “My dad, Frank (who has now passed) and I opened this business 32 years ago—I think I must have been three,” Morello …

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Business Updates: Doc Popcorn Opens; Doctors Express Will Soon

Doc Popcorn is open and Doctors Express will open in July.

  In tough economic times like these, businesses all over the country are struggling to keep their doors open, while others are accepting the challenge and opening. Periodically, we'll feature the business changes happening in Natick, highlighting old businesses that we're sad to see go and ones we're excited to try in the future. The following are a few of the most recent Natick business updates:

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10K Seniors Connect Using Natick-Based Website

Thegraysmatter.com, based in Natick, was created by two local seniors to help other seniors stay connected and active in their golden years.

  As Americans age, it becomes more and more challenging to stay physically and socially active, two things necessary for a long and healthy life. Two local seniors with a passion for keeping connected to the world have started an Online business in Natick to meet others just like them. Pete Phildius, who turns 82 this month, and his business partner Diane Glass, 69, founded thegraysmatter.com just a few weeks ago—a project that took them two years to create, while working on a variety of other business ideas. The Online company, run out of Natick, offers opportunities for seniors to blog, discuss issues, share book reviews and recipes, links to information for seniors, tips to keep your brain active and more. In each edition published, …

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