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A Taste of Roslindale Lead Sponsor:

All RVMS Business Members

Mission
The mission of Roslindale Village Main Street (RVMS) is to promote Roslindale Village as an appealing destination and the dynamic center of our community. As a nonprofit organization, we bring together local volunteers, businesses and public agencies to strengthen the Village's economic vitality, physical appearance and unique local character.

Who We Are
Roslindale Village Main Street is a community-driven and governed volunteer organization with one paid employee. We are Roslindale residents, business owners, and property owners with a common stake in supporting a vibrant and healthy neighborhood business district. We rely on participation from countless volunteers to provide the programs, services and events that help make Roslindale a great place to live and work. Learn more about how you can get involved.

History
RVMS was established in 1985 as the first urban Main Street Program in the nation, with the help of then City Councilor Thomas M. Menino and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Within its first three years, the RVMS Program achieved great success in revitalizing Roslindale Village, with 33 facade changes, 43 commercial building rehabilitations, 29 net new businesses, and 132 net job gains-totaling over $5 million in new investments.

Today, Roslindale Village is a thriving commercial hub, with vacancies below 5 percent and over 90% of businesses independently owned. More than 3/4 of businesses in the district have participated in RVMS' design, promotions and economic development programs. Roslindale Village Main Street received a National Main Streets Urban Pioneer Award in 2006 for its revitalization efforts.

Philosophy
RVMS follows the operating principles of the National Main Street Center. The Main Street Approach advocates a return to community self-reliance, local empowerment, and the rebuilding of traditional commercial districts based on their unique assets: distinctive architecture, a pedestrian-friendly environment, personal service, local ownership, and a sense of community. Harnessing the efforts of local volunteers builds long-term success by fostering community involvement and commitment to a shared vision for the neighborhood.

Help Support our Work!

For nearly three decades, Roslindale Village Main Street has worked to revitalize Roslindale’s commercial district, while preserving the historic charm of our community. The visionary work of our founding business owners and community members has laid the groundwork for the strong and vibrant district that exists today. Our diverse business mix of restaurants, shops and services, and array of events held in the district each year make Roslindale Village an incredible destination and exciting place to live!

Category: About, Help, Live, Shop, Work
Posted: April 18, 2012

A Look Back at 2011, and a Look Forward to 2012

2011 was a year of extraordinary accomplishments in Roslindale Village, including the Egg Hunt, the Farmers’ Market, the Summer Stroll, A Taste of Roslindale, the Holiday Tree Lighting, Small Business Saturday, and the Holiday Wander. And there’s more to come! We’re looking forward to building on last year’s successes to create an even more vibrant and welcoming community in 2012.

Here’s a “sneak peek” at some of what’s coming up in the year ahead:

We’re working hard to diversify the district by supporting existing businesses and attracting new ones.

We’re eagerly anticipating the installation of “Traffic,” an art sculpture designed exclusively for Roslindale Village by George Greenamyer, at the corner of Belgrade and Corinth.

We’re working closely with the MBTA on a project that will illuminate the Robert Street Bridge, creating a stunning gateway into the district..

We look forward to sharing our progress on these and other initiatives in the months to come, and we invite you to participate in our efforts to enhance our shared community by shopping, dining, volunteering your time, or making a financial contribution to RVMS in 2012. Thank you!

Category: About, Help, Uncategorized
Posted: January 16, 2012

Welcome to our new Executive Director!

We are pleased to announce that Stephanie Cave has joined RVMS as executive director. Stephanie’s full time mission is to promote Roslindale Village as an appealing destination and the dynamic center of our community. A Roslindale resident, Stephanie previously managed student housing at Northeastern University. She also started and continues to run a small business selling handmade sewn items, which have sold at Colorwheel Collection and the Roslindale Farmers’ Market.

As RVMS’ only full time employee, Stephanie will bring together volunteers, businesses and public agencies to strengthen Roslindale Village’s vitality, appearance and unique local character. Her predecessor, Jody Burr, built up a lot of enthusiasm for the Main Street revitalization program in Roslindale, and we expect that enthusiasm to grow under Stephanie’s direction.

Stephanie will be in the RVMS office Monday through Friday from 9-5. Please stop by and say hello!

Category: About
Tags: about us, executive director
Posted: February 3, 2011