Roslindale Village

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Roslindale Posters
Get yours today! Six editions in two sizes, available for sale at the RVMS office.

Roslindale business directory

Roslindale map

RVMS Business Sponsors

Special thanks to our Platinum Corporate Sponsor:

Boston Buying Power
Local small business owners struggling with high energy costs can now join Boston Buying Power, a citywide group utility purchasing program that is saving businesses over 20% on their utility bills.

News and Events

25 Years Strong

2010 is an exciting year for Roslindale Village Main Street: August of this year will mark our 25th anniversary . Founded in 1985 by a group of business owners and residents who saw a better future for their neighborhood, RVMS was a national pioneer in community-driven urban revitalization, the first Main Street program in Boston and among the first few in the country.

25 years ago the neighborhood faced a vacancy rate of over 50% and a streetscape full of graffiti-covered rolldown grates. Today, with storefront vacancies under 4% and the business district bustling, it's hard to imagine what a different neighborhood Roslindale was then. There's still plenty of work to be done, but Roslindale's renaissance over the last quarter century is a testimonial to what a community can achieve working together.

Through it all, a group of businesses has anchored Roslindale Village and helped guide the business district into a new era. Here's to the unsung heroes of Roslindale's revitalization: the merchants who, through hard work, customer service and community leadership, have survived to witness their neighborhood grow strong again. They all deserve our thanks and our support.

Birch Flower Shop
Bob's Pita/Droubi Brothers
Brayton's Upholstery
The Cooperative Bank of Roslindale
Diane's Bakery
F.J. Higgins Funeral Home
Greater Roslindale Medical Center
Harrison Refrigeration
J.B. Edward Uniforms
Jay's Jewelers
John's Bakery
Krupa Insurance
Lymneos Insurace
MacQuarrie Insurance
Rialto Barber Shop
Roslindale Fish Market
Roslindale Hardware
Sebastian's Barber Shop
Sullivan's Pharmacy
Tony's Market
Travel By Judie
Trethewey Brothers Plumbing
Wallpaper City

If we've missed anyone, please let us know! Look for more about these businesses and RVMS' 25th in the coming year.

New Gateways Go Up

Earlier this week, eight colorful, wind-powered "gateways" were installed on lightposts at the four major entrances to Roslindale Village (Washington St. at Healy Field and Kittredge St., Cummins Highway at Washington St., and Belgrade Ave. at Robert St.) Sponsored by RVMS, the signs are part of an ongoing project to build a cohesive and unique visual identity for the business district, through wayfinding signage and public art. Coming later this year: an information kiosk in front of Wallpaper City, featuring a neighborhood map, business directory and events board.

If you'd like to help with planning for future projects, please contact us to join our Design Committee.

Business Updates

Two new businesses, Jerusalem Trading Co. (a purveyor of furniture and ceramics) and the Jazz Cafe and Bar on Washington (a Haitian-American restaurant and bar, which will apparently not be featuring live music) opened recently on Poplar St and Washington St. Cafe Rialto has moved into the former Square Corner Cafe space on Washington Street, with plans to open in February. They will offer homestyle Italian food, including fresh pasta dishes, for dine-in and takeout.

Congratulations to Centre Cuts on a fresh new look to their storefront, thanks in part to design assistance and funding provided through RVMS' storefront improvement program. Two more storefront projects are underway at Colorwheel Collection and El Chavo Mexican Products, both on Washington St. District business owners interested in learning more about the program contact us.

Development Moves Forward for Old Gas Station Site

Washington St. Gas Station Demolition - 12/3/09

Local history was made in December when the old gas station building next to the library on Washington Street, a long-standing eyesore, was finally demolished to make way for a 2-story commercial and office building, slated for completion later this year. The building would house the Social Security Administration on the second floor, with retail space at ground level.. Read about the project in the Roslindale Bulletin and the Boston Globe.

MBTA Substation Development Proposals Under Review
The Boston Redevelopment Authority continues to hold proposals to redevelop the vacant MBTA substation building (at the corner of Washington and Cummins Highway) under review, saying they need to move carefully in light of the current economic climate. Read a recent update here.

For eight years, RVMS has been the lead advocate for adaptive reuse of this historic building. Late in 2008, developers presented three different plans to the Boston Redevelopment Authority for this grand neighborhood landmark, and the community is eagerly awaiting a decision. Which one is the best for Roslindale? Click here for a short review of the proposals by Main Street's Economic Development committee. To read the three proposals in their entirety, click here. Click here to read the 2002 feasibility study on the substation building, co-sponsored by RVMS and Historic Boston, Inc.

Get Involved

Support Roslindale Village Main Street:

Become a Member of RVMS

Volunteer with RVMS

Other Resources
RVMS Strategic Plan
2006 Residential Survey Results
Roslindale FAQ
MIT 2005 Urban Planning Study of Roslindale Village