New Italian Restaurant Opens in Center of Watertown

Bar ‘Cino has opened in Watertown Square. (Photo courtesy of Bar ‘Cino)

The following piece was provided by the Newport Restaurant Group:

Newport Restaurant Group, the Rhode-Island based and 100 percent employee-owned hospitality group that operates a collection of restaurants and properties across New England, today opens Bar ‘Cino in Watertown. Derived from vicino, the Italian word for “neighbor”, the new Bar ‘Cino is nestled in the heart of Watertown Square and is the third location of the Italian-inspired dining concept which first opened in Newport, Rhode Island in 2019 followed by Brookline 2020. “We are thrilled that our latest Bar ‘Cino opening will be in the vibrant and historic city of Watertown,” said Paul O’Reilly, CEO of Newport Restaurant Group. “Over the past several years, we’ve enjoyed bringing our passion for delicious Italian food and drink to our guests in Newport and Brookline and are excited to foster that same spirit right on Watertown’s Main Street.

Watertown Business Coalition Holding Joint Event With Charles River Chamber

Two groups supporting Watertown businesses and organizations will be getting together for a networking event in July. The Watertown Business Coalition and the Charles River Regional Chamber will hold a coffee connect on Wednesday, July 19 starting at 8:30 p.m. The event will be held at Arsenal Yards the green space between Buttermilk & Bourbon and Shake Shack. The event is free for members of either group, and also for non-members. Coffee and goodies will be available. Click here to Register.

New York-Based Cookie Store Opening Location in Watertown

Watertown’s Arsenal Yards already boasts a bevy of restaurants and eateries, and will add something to satisfy people’s sweet tooth. Chip City Cookies will add Watertown to its list of stores, which currently includes 18 locations in New York City, Long Island, and New Jersey, according to an announcement on RestaurantNews.com. Childhood friends Peter Phillips and Theodore Gailas started Chip City Cookies in 2017 after the pair challenged each other to see which one could make the best cookie. The first store opened in Astoria, Queens. “We are thrilled to open our doors in Watertown,” Phillips said in the announcement.

Watertown Life Sciences Company Gets $20 Million in Investments

The following information was provided by Lyndra Therapeutics:

Lyndra Therapeutics Inc. of Watertown raised $20.3 million from seven investors as part of an offering of equity and option securities, according to a Form D dated June 7. Total amount of the offering is just over $179 million. Last month Lyndra announced it has dosed the first participant in its pivotal clinical trial investigating oral weekly risperidone (LYN-005) for the treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. This is Lyndra’s lead drug candidate.  

The investigational oral weekly risperidone is a unique “long-acting oral therapy” powered by Lyndra’s LYNXTM drug delivery platform, which delivers a week’s worth of medication in one oral capsule.

Seven Watertown Companies Receive Tax Incentives from State to Create Jobs

Seven companies from Watertown received part of the $24.4 million being awarded by the state to create new jobs in the life sciences industry. The Healey-Driscoll Administration and Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) announced the MLSC Tax Incentive Program program last week. It will provide incentives for 43 life sciences companies, which are expected to create 1,584 jobs, according to the program’s announcement. The Watertown companies will received between $150,000 and $750,000 in tax incentives and will create a combined 140 jobs. The Watertown companies receiving the incentives are:

AffiniT Thereapeutics, $375,000, 25 jobs

Corner Therapeutics Inc., $150,000, 10 jobs

Disc Medicine Inc., $150,000, 10 jobs

Enanta Pharmaceuticals Inc., $150,000, 10 jobs

Lyra Therapeutics Inc. $300,000, 20 jobs

Tome Biosciences Inc., $750,000, 50 jobs

Treeline Biosciences Inc., $225,000, 15 jobs.

Watertown Business Parking Passes Available Soon at City Hall

The City of Watertown provided the following information:

Business Parking Passes for July 2023 through September 2023 are available in the Treasurer/Collectors Office at Watertown City Hall, 149 Main Street starting on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.

ALL passes will require business information, including proof of employment, a valid driver’s license, and vehicle registration. Payment is accepted through cash, check, or money order. NOTE: The parking passes are only valid for the vehicle registered with your pass and only for use in that specific parking lot. Purchasing a Business Parking Pass is first come, first served. There is a limit of 2 Passes Per Business at $120 Per Pass.

Charles River Chamber’s Women Impact Network Meeting in Watertown

The following announcement was provided by the Charles River Chamber:

Build relationships with chamber colleagues while enjoying some of the finest restaurants in our communities! Our popular networking lunch series moves to Taffer’s Tavern at Watertown’s Arsenal Yards. Arrive by 11:30 a.m. for casual networking before being seated for lunch noon to 1 p.m.Select your entrée from the following signature items on the registration screen. Your $30 event fee will cover two-course lunch, and gratuity – 100% goes directly to Taffer’s. Please note we are unable to accommodate special menu requests or modifications

Open to chamber members and future members who have not previously attended a luncheon and are interested in learning more about the chamber’s Women’s Impact Network. Advanced registration is required and space is limited.

Celebrate Small Business Month With the WBC, Hear Immigrants’ Stories

The following information was provided by the Watertown Business Coaltion:

For our next WBC Event we turn our focus back to East End. It’s National Small Business Month and we’d like to celebrate those who have come from another country to make an impact in our community by creating culture through a long-standing business. East End businesses & patrons of local business … we’d love to see you there!!! WBC Coffee ConnectWednesday, May 17th @ 8:30AMArmenian Cultural & Educational Center80 Bigelow Ave, Watertown, MA 02472

RSVP HERE!!! At our May event and learn about two multi-generational family businesses in the East End.