Making The Street complete
Ten years ago this fall, WS Development rebranded the stodgy old Chestnut Hill Shopping Center as The Street. With that began a process of transforming the old school plaza (first built in 1950) into an engaging destination featuring an eclectic mix of over 40 restaurants, retailers and pop-ups, along with public spaces, free outdoor yoga, kids activities and other events.
Greg Reibman
What's happening in Wellesley may surprise you
When our chamber expanded into Wellesley in 2020 we had a feeling this was a community in transition. Sure enough, in the past year Town Meeting lifted a series of archaic dining and liquor laws that's bringing in new businesses and vitality. Wellesley is also experiencing what has to be an unprecedented transition in its long-static office market.
Greg Reibman
Why Newton may not get its just approved fossil fuel ban
The Legislature sent a climate bill to Gov. Charlie Baker last night that -- among many other provisions -- would allow Newton and nine other municipalities to ban the use of fossil fuels in new homes, commercial construction and major renovations. However the city may not be able to participate in the pilot program, even though the ban has unanimous support from the Newton City Council and Mayor Ruthanne Fuller.
Greg Reibman
Can this Newton landmark be saved (and transformed)?
The storied West Newton Cinema is embarking on an effort to potentially turn the venue into a non-profit visual arts and culture center. As a first step, cinema co-owner David Bramante has entered into an agreement to sell the property at 1296 Washington Street to Newton's Mark Development. Under the agreement, the Bramante family will continue to operate the six-screen cinema for the next 18 months to two years while it explores opportunities to transition leadership and operation to another entity.
Greg Reibman
Gross Misunderstanding
Under the headline, “Newton Restaurants Bouncing Back,” Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller published the chart below in her email newsletter yesterday. The graph tracks revenue received by the city though the 0.75% excise tax on sales of restaurant meals. And as you can see, things do look pretty bouncy.
Greg Reibman
Choose service with a smile, instead of a box with one
Today is Prime Day. But stop right there. And step away from that browser. Before you order some stuff you may not really need anyway, remember that every purchase you choose to make locally instead doesn't just help that individual business: It lifts our entire local economy.
Greg Reibman
Low wage workers left on the sidelines
Low wage workers got theirs, they say. Now it’s middleclass taxpayers’ time. Unless you’re married. Then you may not get as much. You’re not alone if you’re scratching your head over a proposal to emerge from Beacon Hill yesterday that would provide a one-time $250 rebate by October (just in time for, you guessed it, Election Day) to help offset the rising cost of living.
Greg Reibman
Should you be worried about the Millionaires Tax?
Proponents of the so-called “Millionaires Tax” constitutional amendment that will go before voters in November generally portray the new surtax as something that will only impact the “super rich.” But a new Pioneer Institute survey conducted in collaboration with two state business groups, explores how many small business owners may also find themselves subject to the surtax.
Greg Reibman
