OUR WORK
We work to strengthen Roslindale Village’s economic vitality, physical appearance, and unique local character through Business Support, Promotion, Beautification, Events, and Revitalization.
BUSINESS SUPPORT
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE - By partnering with the City of Boston's Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion and other organizations around the city, we connect businesses with technical assistance in the areas of marketing, business strategy, accounting, legal, and more. If you are in need of technical assistance, reach out to us at director@roslindale.net
RESOURCES - To support our small business community, we update a list of business resources on our website. Additionally, we send out new resources and grant opportunities through our weekly email newsletter. If you would like to share a resource in our directory or newsletter, email us at manager@roslindale.net
ROSSTORE - The ROSStore Sign Improvement Program is a funding program to support businesses in Roslindale Village in obtaining new or updated signage for their storefront. Eligible businesses may apply for funding to be put towards a new sign for their storefront.
ROSSREADY - ROSReady is our New Business Support Program. Through the ROSReady Program, we invite new businesses to open up in vacancies and provide them with the guided support they need. The program provides help with marketing, resources, and regular check-ins to support businesses and help them navigate through the difficult early stages of opening a business.
EMERGENCY RELIEF - In times of need, RVMS will work to provide emergency relief to our small business community. In the past we've provided COVID-19 mini grants and organized the temporary placement of businesses after the Corinth Street Crash in 2022. If you are experiencing an emergency at your business, reach out to us at director@roslindale.net.
SHOP LOCAL - Every year, we host Small Business Saturday in Roslindale where we promote local shopping and publish gift guides. Did you know that the first Small Business Saturday was actually started here in Roslindale with the help of RVMS?
VACANCIES - We keep track of the current vacancies available for lease in Roslindale Village on our website. Check out the list to get in touch with the property owners!
PROMOTION
NEWSLETTER AND SOCIAL MEDIA - Every week, we send out a newsletter to over 7,500 people in the community highlighting businesses in Roslindale Village, upcoming events, and resources for residents and business owners. You can submit content for the newsletter by emailing the information and an image or graphic to manager@roslindale.net with "newsletter" in the subject line by Tuesday at 5pm. We also include this content in our social media posts on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
WAYFINDING - To help visitors and residents find their way to Roslindale Village, our Roslintrail Committee utilizes creative approaches to guide people to our district. Sidewalk murals, community walks and bike rides, and wayfinding signs are all strategies we use to increases foot traffic in Roslindale Village.
NEW RESIDENT OUTREACH - Roslindale is a growing community! To encourage our new residents to shop local and get involved with our work we host New Resident Nights. We'll announce these New Resident Nights in our newsletter and social media.
BEAUTIFICATION
PUBLIC ART - Public art is one of our favorite ways to highlight the beauty of Roslindale. You can see our public art installations around Roslindale Village including sidewalk murals, window paintings, and painted bike racks!
HOLIDAY DECORATIONS - Our Design Committee works year round to make Roslindale Village beautiful. During the colder months, you'll find these volunteers hanging up holiday decorations around Adams Park and helping children at the Farmers Market create ornaments for the Christmas Tree.
COMMUNITY CLEAN UPS- Every year, we participate in the City of Boston's Love Your Block Clean Up events, where we work with volunteers to pick up trash and spruce up the flower beds around the square. Keep an eye out for clean up events announced in our newsletter!
EVENTS
FARMERS MARKET - For 38 years, we've held a Summer Farmers Market to promote community health and local shopping in Roslindale. To expand these opportunities throughout the year, we also added a Winter Farmers Market which gives Roslindale 9 full months of Farmers Markets! We work to make our Farmers Market accessible to everyone in our community and collaborate with the Mayor's Office of Food Access to provide free coupons to those who need financial assistance.
ANNUAL SIGNATURE EVENTS - Throughout the year, we host a series of signature events to invite people into Roslindale Village. In the spring, we hold our annual Chick-or-Treat Egg Hunt. Business owners pass out toy-filled Easter Eggs from their shops, and children enjoy activities and music on Birch Street Plaza. In the winter, we invite our community to the Tree Lighting in Adams Park where children can visit with Santa and help light the tree with the Mayor. Small Business Saturday coincides with this celebration and we work to promote shopping locally for holiday purchases with gift guides and promotional items. The Holiday Market follows a few weeks later on Birch Street Plaza for even more opportunities to shop local!
SPECIAL EVENTS AND POP UPS - To compliment these annual events, the volunteers on our Events Committee host new and exciting events like Flea Markets, Beer Festivals, and more!
REVITALIZATION
HISTORIC PRESERVATION - Throughout our history, we've worked with community groups to preserve our neighborhood's historic buildings, parks, and open spaces. After it remained vacant since 1972, we worked to revitalize The Substation and got it listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. The building is now home to a co-working space, a beer hall, and many community events.
PUBLIC SPACES - We work with community members and The City of Boston to expand and sustain our public parks and gathering spaces. We helped redesign Adams Park and we are currently supporting Birch Street Plaza with programming as the city begins constructing the permanent plaza. We received a National Main Streets Urban Pioneer Award in 2006 for our revitalization efforts.