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• Most Recent

  • Attend our Annual Meeting – Wednesday, March 23rd 6pm, Library
  • Volunteers Needed!
  • New Village Gateways Brighten Roslindale’s Streetscape
  • Romano’s gets noticed
  • Demolition Begins at Washington Street Gas Station Site
  • Ten Simple Reasons to Shop Locally
  • Model Railroad Museum Open House
  • Holiday Wander through Roslindale Village
  • Goodbye, Boschetto Bakery
  • 25th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

• Roslindale in the News

  • Boston's sudden change in snow policy
  • Indian restaurant opens in Roslindale
  • Manhole explodes in Roslindale Square just after man, dog walk over it
  • GLAD Summer Party
  • Indian food in Roslindale Square is nigh
  • Irresistible force vs. immovable object, Boston space-saver edition
  • The truest love
  • Crossed wires shock fire-alarm worker near Amtrak line in Roslindale
  • Mystery at Roslindale senior complex claims third victim
  • Man robbed and stabbed on Washington Street in Roslindale

Congratulations to Romano’s Pizzeria and Taqueria on citywide recognition as a successful immigrant-owned business in today’s Globe: http://bit.ly/72Iup3

Romano’s has become an anchor since it opened in 2003 on the busy corner of Corinth and Washington Streets, offering authentic Mexican food in addition to the more standard pizza and subs.

Category: Eat, Work 
Tags: food, immigrant business, local businesses, local economy, press, restaurants

Wednesday was a historic day in Roslindale Village, as onlookers watched a backhoe demolish a long-standing eyesore at the abandoned gas station site on Washington Street.  The demolition marks the launch of a redevelopment project on the site that promises to bring retail activity and foot traffic to a long-neglected block of the business district.  Read more

Category: Live, Uncategorized, Work 
Tags: design, economic development, gas station, redevelopment, streetscape

We’re sorry to say goodbye to the A. Boschetto Bakery, a fixture on Washington Street since 1952 that has provided many a birthday cake to kids growing up in the neighborhood.  Owner Joe Murphy, an RVMS board member since 2006, has contributed to the Roslindale community in many ways, most notably as the man behind the hugely popular Taste of Roslindale event.  The bakery closed its doors on October 26 and the building is currently for sale.  Contact RVMS if you have any leads on potential new businesses for the site.

In other business updates, Read more

Category: Eat, Live, Shop, Work 
Tags: board of directors, closings, economic development, local businesses, new business, taste of roslindale

Thanks to all who attended last week’s Business Networking Breakfast at Sophia’s Grotto!  More than 30 district business owners attended the session to mingle and learn about marketing through social media.  Thanks to presenters (and RVMS volunteers) Steve Mooney and Stephanie Miller for a dynamic and insightful presentation!  (If you couldn’t make it, no worries – you can download a copy of the presentation here.  But we hope you can come to the next one!)  We welcome suggestions from business owners on topics for future networking events.  Contact us anytime.

Category: Work 
Tags: business assistance, business networking, community events, local businesses, marketing

Roslindale has seen a flurry of business activity in recent weeks, with vacancies filled (and hopefully soon to open!) in several locations around the Village.  Just opened at 4266 Washington Street is  Colorwheel Collection, a neighborhood shop for children’s clothing which will also feature custom handcrafted keepsake albums and baby books.  Read more

Category: Shop, Work 
Tags: community events, economic development, kids, local businesses, shop local

Gypsy Boutique has opened at 22 Birch Street, featuring imported and small designer women’s apparel, jewelry and accessories.  Owner Margarita Milla was born in Peru and grew up in Roslindale, and has dreamed of opening a store here for years.  Visit on Saturdays and get your palm read while browsing the racks! Read more

Category: Shop, Work 

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 more

Category: Live, Work 
Tags: news and events

Walkscore.com, a website that rates neighborhoods by walkability, gives Roslindale a score of 92 out of 100, rating it a “Walker’s Paradise“. That’s great news for Roslindale – a walkable neighborhood increases community and environmental health, adds to social capital by promoting face-to-face interaction with neighbors, and helps local businesses thrive.

Category: Live, Work 
Tags: accessibility, location, press, recreation, shop local, walkability

A piece of good news in a down economy: Since July 2008, Roslindale Village has seen a net gain of 2 businesses, with 15 net new jobs created to support the local economy. It’s a sign that while times are tough for everyone right now, neighborhood business districts are retaining customer loyalty and faring better overall than malls and big box stores. Supporting local businesses first is one way we can all help this trend continue. Read more

Category: Live, Work 
Tags: design, economic development, local businesses, local economy, shop local, storefront improvement

RVMS 2007 Resident Survey on Roslindale Village

MIT 2005 Planning Study and Market Analysis of Roslindale Village

Boston Redevelopment Authority 2008 Roslindale Strategic Plan

BRA Roslindale Neighborhood Profile

BostonProspector.com - find up-to-date demographic and business information within 0-5 miles of Roslindale Village

General Demographic Information Resources

U.S. Census Bureau
4 Copley Place
Suite 301
Boston, MA 02117-9108
617-424-4501
The Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about the nation’s people and the economy.

LoopNet.com
888-567-7442
LoopNet is a leading commercial real estate information services provider offering a suite of products and services tailored to the national and local needs of the commercial investments industry.

Category: Work 

Boston Office of Business Development (OBD)
26 Court Street
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-635-0355
The Boston Office of Business Development provides entrepreneurs and existing businesses with access to financial and technical resources. From business façade improvement and small service loans, to financial and network referral services. OBD ensures that Boston business owners get the support they need to succeed.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
10 Causeway Street, Room 265
Boston, MA 02222
Phone: 617-565-5590
The SBA provides financial, technical and management assistance to help Americans start, run and grow their businesses. The regional office is located in downtown Boston.

MA Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (OSBE)
1 Ashburton Place, Room 2101
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-788-3610
OSBE works with the Commonwealth’s service providers of technical assistance and financing, as well as directly with small businesses. It provides information, assistance, and training for companies to thrive and grow in Massachusetts

Boston Small Business Resource Guide – a step-by-step guide to permitting and licensing requirements for starting a business in the City of Boston

General Business Support

Massachusetts Small Business Development Center
University of Massachusetts Boston
100 Morrissey Boulevard
McCormack Building, 5th Floor, Room 403
Boston, MA 02125
617-287-7750
The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network provides high-quality, in-depth free business advising, training and capital access which contributes to the entrepreneurial growth of small businesses throughout Massachusetts.

JP Neighborhood Development Corp (JPNDC)
31 Germania Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
617-522-2424
JPNDC’s small business development program assists businesses in the Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, and Mission Hill area with business start-up, expansion, and success.

Center for Women in Enterprise
24 School Street, Suite 700
Boston, MA 02108
617-536-0700
The Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women start and grow their own businesses. CWE offers education, training, technical assistance, women’s business enterprise certification and access to both debt and equity capital to entrepreneurs at every stage of business development.

WomanOwned.com
WomanOwned.com provides online business information and networking assistance as well as a number of resources for setting up, running, and growing businesses.

Massachusetts Alliance for Economic Development
892 Worcester Street
Wellesley, MA 02482
781-489-6262
The Massachusetts Alliance for Economic Development is a private, non-profit partnership of business, industry leaders, and government dedicated to the economic growth of Massachusetts.

Special Business Programs

Boston Buying Power
Phone: 888-317-3923
Boston Buying Power, a program of the Office of Business Development,  allows small businesses to benefit from highly competitive electricity and natural gas rates through a citywide group purchasing program.

Boston Neighborhood Restaurant Initiative
Office of Business Development
26 Court Street
Boston, MA 02108
Contact: Keith Hunt
Phone: 617-635-0615
Boston Neighborhood Restaurant Initiative is designed to provide more neighborhood retail services and create jobs. The primary focus is creating new sit-down, family-style restaurants owned and operated by local entrepreneurs as well as supporting existing restaurants and locally owned franchises.

Category: Work 
Tags: business assistance, City of Boston, economic development, licensing, permitting, starting a business

ARC (American Recovery Capital) Loans
U.S. Small Business Administration, Regional Office
10 Causeway St. Rm 265
Boston, MA 02222
617.565.5561

ARC loans are short term, interest-free loans intended to provide an immediate infusion of capital to small businesses to assist with making payments of principal and interest on existing debt.  These loans allow borrowers to redirect cash flow from making loan payments to investing in their businesses, to help sustain the business and retain jobs.  These loans are funded by the American Recovery Act of 2009 and will be available until September 2010 or funding runs out, whichever comes first.

ACCION USA
56 Roland Street, Suite 300
Boston, MA 02129
Phone: 617-625-7080

ACCION USA is a private, nonprofit organization that provides microloans and other financial services to low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs who are unable to access bank credit for small businesses.

Dorchester Bay Economic Development CDC (DBEDC)
594 Columbia Road
Boston, MA 02125
617-825-4200

DBEDC’s loan program promotes the expansion of small businesses, utilizing partnerships between community development corporations, banks and the US Small Business Administration.

Boston Local Development Corporation (BLDC)
One City Hall Square
Boston, MA 02201
Contact: William Nickerson, Senior Financing Manager
617-918-6262

BLDC is a private non-profit corporation administered by the Boston Redevelopment Authority. It provides loans of up to $150,000 for businesses in, or relocating to, the City of Boston.

Microloan Boston
Boston Office of Business Development
26 Court Street
Boston, MA 02108
Contact: Jovita Fontanez, Neighborhood Business Manager
617-635-0212

Microloan Boston is made possible by a partnership between the City’s Department of Neighborhood Development and Boston Connects Inc.  It provides loans between $5,000 and $25,000 to support entrepreneurs and existing small businesses in Boston’s Empowerment Zone.

Partners with Nonprofits
Boston Office of Business Development
26 Court Street
Boston, MA 02108
Contact: John Lynch, Operations Specialist
617-635-0328

PNP provides matching grants up to a maximum of $25,000 per project per fiscal year for capital improvements to non-profit facilities located in Boston.

Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC)
One Center Plaza, Suite 350
Boston, MA 02108
617-727-5944

CEDAC is a public-private, community development finance institution that provides technical assistance, pre-development lending, and consulting services to non-profit organizations involved in housing development, workforce development, neighborhood economic development, and capital improvements to child care facilities.

Local Lenders:

The Cooperative Bank of Roslindale
40 Belgrade Avenue
Roslindale, MA 02131
617-325-2900
Luke Moran, Branch Manager

Tremont Credit Union
10 Corinth Street
Roslindale, MA 02131
781-843-5626 (call center)
Nichelle Hodges, Branch Manager

Citizens Bank
777 South Street
Roslindale, MA 02131
617-469-4440
Francis Guerrios, Branch Manager

Bank of America
29 Corinth Street
Roslindale, MA 02131
800-432-1000 (customer service)

Category: Work 
Tags: business assistance, business loans, community development, economic development, financing

Through volunteeer efforts and public-private partnerships, Roslindale Village Main Street provides a range of resources to help district business and property owners establish, strengthen and expand their business in Roslindale Village.   Please contact us for more information on any of these programs.

Design
RVMS provides free consultation and grants to district businesses for signage design and fabrication, storefront facade improvement, and/or historic preservation projects.  We have provided design and fabrication assistance for more than 40 storefront improvement projects since 1996, directly benefiting more than 70 businesses.  Each storefront improvement helps create a vibrant, inviting streetscape which benefits the whole neighborhood.

Other design resources include: guidance on city signage and permitting issues; information on local resources for storefront work (sign fabricators, architects, etc.) and occasional networking events on design as a marketing tool.

Marketing & Promotion
Through district-wide marketing efforts and promotional events, RVMS works to promote Roslindale Village as a local and city-wide destination for food, shopping, entertainment and services.  We sponsor a full calendar of events to attract customers and increase foot traffic in the district, with opportunities for business participation throughout the year.  Business promotional opportunities include:

• Participation as a regular vendor or as a featured Roslindale business in our weekly summer Farmers’ Market, which draws over 2,000 visitors to the business district each week from June through October;
• Participation in collaborative retail promotions like the Roslindale Holiday Wander, Storefront Scavenger Hunt, First Class Pass to Roslindale Village, Taste of Roslindale, and other events
• Ribbon-cutting ceremonies for newly opened businesses;
• Occasional networking events on marketing topics

Technical Assistance
RVMS provides access to technical assistance resources for district businesses seeking assistance with financing, permitting, marketing, business planning, and other topics.   Information on local demographics, market analysis data, and area rents and vacancies is also available.  Links to a range of resources are provided on our website.  For further information or specific inquiries, please contact us.

Category: About, Work 
Tags: business assistance, what we do

As an organization focused on the vitality of our neighborhood business district, the participation and support of local businesses is critical to our mission.  RVMS supports local businesses through marketing efforts, promotional opportunities, technical and design assistance, and networking events.  In turn, businesses support our activities through participation in our programs and events, volunteerism, and annual membership donations.  Click here to see a list of our current business members.

Business members receive:

• Visible recognition on our website and selected other promotional materials;  
• Access to discounted businesses services like StaplesLink and Constant Contact;
• Regular updates on local events and business opportunities through our monthly e-newsletter;
• Invitations to special events like our annual members’ meeting and Taste of Roslindale fundraiser
• Our annual “Year in Review” report

Business donations can be made securely online via PayPal; by mail; or in person.  If your business is interested in becoming a corporate sponsor of RVMS, please contact us.

Category: Help, Work 
Tags: business sponsors, how you can help, local businesses, membership, volunteer

Roslindale is located in the center of the Southwest corner of Boston, approximately 6 miles from downtown. Easily accessed by public transportation, car, or bicycle, Roslindale Village offers ample free on- and off-street parking and bike racks, with a thriving business district, abundant greenspace, and a range of community resources all within easy walking distance. Read more

Category: Eat, Live, Shop, Work 
Tags: accessibility, biking, commuter rail, directions, getting to roslindale, mbta, parking, transportation

• Business Resources

  • Permitting and Licensing
  • Financing and Business Support
  • Consumer Demographics
  • RVMS Business Assistance Programs
  • Boston Small Business Resource Guide
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