Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Low-interest disaster loans are available for small businesses affected by the Boston Marathon bombings.
Low-rate federal disaster loans are available for small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in the Back Bay affected by the Boston Marathon bombing tragedy on April 15. Gov. Deval Patrick requested that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) make loans available to those businesses and nonprofits affected by the bombing, according to a report by the Boston Herald. In the days following the bombing on Boylston Street, a 12-block area was closed as a crime scene by the FBI. The area remained closed for 10 days. Businesses and nonprofits may qualify for 30-year working capital loans, according to the Herald, up to $2 million. The rates are 4 percent foro businesses and 2.9 percent for nonprofits, the article says. Those …
Monday, December 31, 2012
It's a new year, and that means more opportunities for businesses to open in the neighborhood.
This year saw the opening of several great additions to the Back Bay: Georgetown Cupcakes, Pret a Manger, L.A. Burdick, Fogo de Chao and more. But let's say that for one day, you had control of all the neighborhood's businesses. You could sort through, see how many there were of each type, and decide what other new businesses should come into the Back Bay. Do you think the neighborhood needs more grocery stores, coffee shops or cafes? Or new restaurants? What about a movie theater or a new boutique? Share your thoughts in the comments and see what your neighbors think too.
Monday, August 20, 2012
The state's alcohol control board is conducting public hearings on whether to allow bars to offer discounted drinks.
Happy hour has been illegal in Massachusetts for the past 28 years, but a revived debate about two-for-one and discounted alcoholic drink specials could bring the practice back. In light of bars' and restaurants' competitive disadvantage to proposed casinos, which will be allowed to offer free drinks, the state is looking into whether to update the happy hour law for bars and restaurants. Proposed Hearing On Tuesday the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission will hear Boston residents views in a public hearing from 10 a.m. to noon at the McCormick Building, 1 Ashburton Place (21st Floor Conference Room). It's the fourth of five public hearings across the state. Currently, the law does not permit bars or restaurants to offer drink …
Saturday, August 18, 2012
One restaurant in L.A. is offering a 5 percent discount to patrons who ditch their phones during their meal. Would you like to see this in the Back Bay?
Face it, if there was a way to grow a third arm specifically to hold your cell phone, many of us would jump at the chance. But running counter to the "can't live without a connection" population is one restaurant in Los Angeles that is literally paying customers to keep their phones away from their meal, according to the Los Angeles Times. Eva Restaurant in L.A. is offering diners a 5% discount on their bill if they dump their digital devices before being seated, according the L.A. Times. Is this something that you'd like to see happen at any of the nice restaurants in the Back Bay? Or does the idea of ditching your phone during dinner start to make you twitch?
Thursday, August 16, 2012
The hotel will celebrate it's centennial and unveil a $20 million renovation with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 a.m., along with a memorabilia display, free tours and an afternoon tea.
The Fairmont Copley Plaza opened 100 years ago. After completing a $20 million renovation, today they celebrate their centennial with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the main entrance at 11 a.m. It's open to the public, followed by a private luncheon, and Mayor Thomas M. Menino is expected to attend. The major renovations and restorations include restored guestrooms, suites, lobbies and a rooftop health club. They also opened the highly anticipated OAK Long Bar & Kitchen “This is one of the most exciting times in the 100-year history of The Fairmont Copley Plaza,” said Paul S. Tormey, regional vice president and general manager. “This investment will enhance the hotel’s preeminent position in the marketplace, while preserving much of the …
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
The Newbury Street bookstore and cafe is adding seating, a bar, books, games and more upstairs.
Trident Booksellers and Cafe is taking over the vacant second story of their 338 Newbury Street space. According to their newsletter: The cat is out of the bag, so we thought we'd share some information with you that you'd like to know- the Trident is expanding to the second floor this fall! There will be lots more cafe seating with a bar, more retail space with books, gifts and games, and more bathrooms. But the cat was actually out of the bag back in January, when they brought their plans to the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay. Trident has been there for 27 years, and is starting to outgrow it's space, GM Michael Lemanski said at the time. The expansion will add at least 12 additional seats - probably more - while maintaining …
Friday, August 10, 2012
The British sandwich shop plans open in mid-November at 501 Boylston Street.
Pret a Manger, featuring handcrafted, freshly prepared sandwiches, was before the Neighborhood Association of Back Bay's licencing committee Monday night with plans to open a cafe in the space vacated by Borders last year. "This is not a traditional restaurant where there's cooking," said Greg Donovan, owner of development firm G.A. Donovan Management Consulting Corp. With 300 restaurants across the world, mostly in the United Kingdom followed by Hong Kong, Paris, New York City and Chicago, this would be the first one in New England. The sandwiches, made daily, are featured in refrigerated glass display cases. There's value placed on the presentation, as well as the quickness of service. They pride themselves on getting people in and out …
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Marimekko, a Finnish textile and design company known for its original prints and bright colors when it comes to home decor, clothing, bags, accessories and fabrics opens today on 140 Newbury St.
This will be the third US store, and customers can ask questions directly to designer Aino-Maija Metsola, who will be on hand from noon - 1 p.m. for the grand opening. The store also has a line-up of events planned throughout the week, including Thursday when you can purchase fabric and have it framed on-site, and treats from Georgetown Cupcakes on Saturday. "The two-story store in Boston is located in an area popular with students and faculty of some of the United States’ leading universities, such as Harvard and MIT," said Marimekko’s President and CEO Mika Ihamuotila. "The success of our store in nearby Cambridge has also encouraged us to make this new opening. I believe that succeeding in these three influential environments could …
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Mia Kang was ahead of her time when she opened the very first nail salon on Newbury Street.
Watching Mia Kang paint a fingernail is like watching a skilled artist. Her stokes are smooth, her hand steady, her technique perfected. And as the very first nail technician on Newbury Street, it's no surprise. "When I see the nails, all I think is 'I want to make this nail beautiful," Kang said. From Hollywood Nails to MiniLuxe - where Kang recently moved to in February after closing up her own shop - you can find a nail salon on pretty much every block of Newbury Street. But Kang was the first when she opened her business Mia's Nails, in 1992. "Mia was like a legend," said Donna Charloff, the director of service operations at MiniLuxe, who used to be a nail technician herself. "[At the time] I never met her, but she was someone you …
Friday, July 20, 2012
They hope to raise $25,000 through the Lemon-Aid Stand for Kids event this Saturday and Sunday.
Lemonade for sale! This weekend the Panera Breads at 289 Huntington Avenue and 450 Boylston St. will host a lemonade stand outside their locations, and all proceeeds will go to Boston Children's Hospital. Also, from now until the end of the month, Panera will donate 25 cents from each lemonade sold to the hospital. They hope to raise $25,000 through the Lemon-Aid Stand for Kids event, and have donated about $250,000 to Children's over the past three years.
melissa hinely
9:43 am on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
I would love a fresh, new business in the Back Bay but please, not another coffee shop, frozen yogurt shop, nail salon or hair salon. more ›