Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/category/business/page/91/)
These three properties were sold this week around town. $442,500 – 73 Carroll St. Unit 73, Condo – Townhouse, 954 Living Area Sq. Ft.,6 Room, 3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bathroom
$675,000 – 507 Main St. Unit 507, Condo – Townhouse, 1,229 Living Area Sq.
The Watertown Farmers’ Market will be back this June, organizers say. Residents can support the vendors who appear at the Watertown Farmers Market even before the season begins in June, and organizers say that the market plans to open on schedule in June. While the COVID-19 outbreak has closed many businesses, Stephanie Venizelos, manager of the Watertown Farmers Market, said that the market will be opening in June. “Farmers markets have been declared an essential business, like grocery stores,” Venizelos said. “We are planning for a safe market that adheres to all the guidelines.”
Grocery stores in Massachusetts will be limited to allowing less than half their capacity of shoppers after an order sent out by the Mass. Commissioner of Public Health. The move is aimed at limiting the spread of the Coronavirus. Stores will be allowed to have 40 percent of their capacity, according to the order issued on Tuesday, according to a report by WHDH Channel 7. The order from Public Health Commissioner Monica Bharel reads, in part:
“Each Grocery store shall limit occupancy to 40 percent of its maximum permitted occupancy level as documented in its occupancy permit on record with the municipal building department or other municipal record-holders in order to provide for in-store social distancing while preserving sufficient access for the public to supplies of food and necessities.”
Donohue’s Bar & Grill reopened after two weeks off due to the Coronavirus outbreak. A mainstay in the Watertown restaurant scene will be reopening after a couple weeks off during the Coronavirus outbreak, while a popular local market will be closing for in-store shopping. Over the weekend, J.D. Donohue announced that Donohue’s Bar & Grill will begin serving meals and alcohol for take out and deliver starting on Monday, April 6. “We closed after St. Patrick’s Day to give staff and kitchen staff and myself time to be quarantined,” Donohue said.
The Watertown Business Coalition will be gathering information to help the local business community weather the difficult times brought on by the Coronavirus, and it wants to know what areas to touch upon. The group has put together a survey about what subjects should be covered and how they should be presented. See the announcement sent out on Saturday below:
Happy Saturday, Business Community! Please take 1 minute and fill out this quick survey to help inform how we support all of you during this time. Stay tuned for many ways to connect virtually.And of course, Stay Strong Watertown!
These three Watertown homes were sold over the past 10 days. $915,000 – 220 Main St. Unit 220, Condo – Townhouse, 2,010 Living Area Sq. Ft., 6 Room, 4 Bedroom, 3 Full Bathroom
$669,000 – 85 Putnam St. Unit 85, Condo – 2/3 Family 2,374 Living Area Sq.
One of the key form of aid to businesses dealing with the impact of the Coronavirus outbreak begins Friday — the Payroll Protection Program. The program is part of the Federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act, and provides loans not only to businesses, but also non-profits and sole proprietors. The PPP was announced just last week and details are still being ironed out, including where to to to get the loans. Doug Orifice, principal at Arsenal Financial and co-founder of the Watertown Business Coalition, said that he has spent most of the last week pouring over the details of the CARES Act looking for ways it can help small businesses. The PPP may be a big help.
Watertown Town Hall
The following announcement was provided by Watertown Town Manager Michael Driscoll’s office:
Essential Services Order
Governor Charlie Baker’s emergency order requiring that all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers and the public will be extended until May 4th. Businesses and organizations not on the list of essential services are encouraged to continue operations through remote means that do not require workers, customers, or the public to enter or appear at the brick-and-mortar premises closed by the order. This order also prohibits gatherings of more than 10 people until May 4th. On March 31st, The Commonwealth updated the “COVID-19 Essential Services” list, which is based on federal guidance that was updated earlier this week. While these businesses are designated as essential, they are urged to follow social distancing protocols for workers in accordance with guidance from the Department of Public Health (DPH).