Shop Local for the Holidays

By Seth Gitell, Roslindale Village Main Street Board Member

As Thanksgiving approaches, Roslindale Village begins to hum with excitement. No event better reflects the "Village" character of our neighborhood center than the Holiday Tree Lighting on Saturday, November 29, from 3 - 5 p.m. Presided over by Mayor Tom Menino, the event will feature the Blackstone Valley Brass, Sacred Heart Choir, ornament making courtesy of the Roslindale Arts Alliance, and a visit from Santa Claus and free hot chocolate hosted by the Boston Lodge of Elks #10.

Roslindale Village is also home to the Bay State Model Railroad Museum and its enchanting collection of model trains at 758 South Street. From 12 - 3 p.m. on December 7, the Model Railroad Museum and Dandelions Flower Shop will give children a chance to see the trains and meet Santa. Children 12 and under get into the museum for free. Adults are $5.

Merchants and shopkeepers who make Roslindale Village such an interesting place all year round become personal consultants who can suggest the right items for Thanksgiving dinner or a holiday gift. Unlike strip mall employees who offer "one size fits all" service, Roslindale's business owners personalize their attention for customers. They also give patrons a taste of what everyone wants at holiday time - tradition.

Robert Anderson has been baking at Dianne's Bakery since 1964. During that time he perfected a New England favorite, the butter roll. Rather than paint butter onto dough, Anderson devised a method of layering butter between levels of dough and baking it in a muffin tin. "They go big around holiday time," Anderson says. "I consider them a must for slopping up gravy." Dianne's also offers a collection of holiday pies, apple, pumpkin and sweet potato (from a recipe he adapted from an African American colleague decades ago).

At Boschetto Bakery, customers can find an array of fine cakes and European pastries from baker Joe Murphy. While the bakery sells two kinds of apple pie it is also offers up desserts that can dress up the dinner table, including the intricate and lovely apple tart, the shadow cake, a combination of chocolate and gold cake half-covered with chocolate ganache, and the Boston Cream cake.

Kathy Lacher, co-owner of the Boston Cheese Cellar, which will celebrate its second anniversary in December, recommends a trio for Thanksgiving. "People usually want a soft cheese, a hard cheese, a blue cheese or a goat cheese," she says, citing Piave Vecchio (a hard cheese,) Nancy's Camembert (a soft cheese from New York) and Great Hill (a blue cheese from Massachusetts. Lacher customizes cheese baskets as gifts.

Food for the entire Thanksgiving dinner and the rest of the season can be bought at The Village Market. Olives and feta cheese are available at the Roslindale Fish Market. The small plates of hummus or baba ganoush - known as "mezzes" - from Droubi Brothers offer an easy and affordable appetizer option for holiday parties. Organic turkeys can be ordered in advance at the Quality Meat Market. Tony DiBenedictis of Tony's Market can ready a roast, chops or leg of lamb for a holiday dinner. Vouros Bakery is about more than baklava; its cookies are great for a party. Solera Wine Shop and Alex's Liquors recommend American wines for Thanksgiving.

Roslindale Village also offers a feast for the eyes. Dandelions Flower Shop will create arrangements to beautify the holiday table. Joanne Rossman's expert designs and Birch Home and Garden will help you adorn your home in holiday fashion.

Why shlep to the mall for gifts, when Roslindale Village is right here? Knowledgeable book sellers at Village Books sell an array of children's gifts as well as cook books for foodies. Pet Cabaret can provide a gift for Fido. Any of Roslindale's outstanding restaurants - Delfino, Sophia's Grotto, Birch Street Bistro, Geoffrey's, Bangkok Café, Village Sushi and Grill, etc. - can sell a gift certificate that will take away the post-holiday doldrums. Likewise, Centre Cuts and Salon A also offer gift certificates. In the market for a big-ticket gift? Try Harrison Refrigeration for new appliances.

Roslindale Village offers family-friendly fun, food, gift shopping and a little bit of tradition just for the holidays. Please join Roslindale Village Main Street in supporting your community. Be a Roslindale Shopper this Holiday Season. Buy from local retailers, and help our neighborhood thrive.