Around Town

Jon Taffer in Town to Visit His Restaurant, Sees Area as Strong Market

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Charlie BreitroseJon Taffer meets patrons at Taffer’s Tavern in Watertown. TV host turned restaurateur Jon Taffer recently stopped by the eatery in Watertown that bears his name: Taffer’s Tavern. Just five months after opening, the restaurant in Arsenal Yards has been doing well, as is the Boston area, he said. The host of Paramount Network’s Bar Rescue has fond memories of the Boston area, having run a nightclub and bar convention from an office in Newton. “I have always loved this city.

Around Town

Arsenal Yards Welcoming More Than a Dozen Food, Fitness & Beauty Offerings

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Arsenal Yards, the thriving new neighborhood in Watertown’s historic East End from Boylston Properties and Wilder, is thrilled to kick off 2023 by welcoming several highly-anticipated dining, shopping, and fitness venues opening over the coming months, beginning this winter and spring. Adding to the neighborhood’s already bursting roster of popular restaurants, retailers, fitness, service, and entertainment offerings, the exciting openings coming soon include service offerings like Bond Vet, Arsenal Modern Dentistry, GNC, and KinderCare, beauty and wellness venues James Joseph Salon, Restore Hyper Wellness, Prenuvo, and Skin Laundry, fitness studios F45 Training, Rumble, and [solidcore], and dining options TEN ONE TEA HOUSE, Chip City, and Butterbird. “After a successful year of numerous openings, bustling community events, and significant growth milestones, we could not be more thrilled to kick off 2023 strong with even more exciting new additions to the neighborhood,” said Tom Wilder, principal of Wilder. “These new openings at Arsenal Yards expand upon the vibrancy and diversity that make our community so special – a place where our visitors, workers, and residents can experience what they enjoy most. We look forward to giving these new tenants the warmest of welcomes and continue to celebrate what truly makes Arsenal Yards greater Boston’s most vibrant new neighborhood.”

A sampling of upcoming openings at Arsenal Yards this winter and spring includes:

Bond Vet Opens With 365-Day Urgent Care for Pets 

Bond Vet, the female-led primary and urgent veterinary care service, recently opened its fifth Boston-area location at Arsenal Yards, offering full-service treatment for pets in a friendly and compassionate setting.

Entertainment

What’s Happening at Arsenal Yards: Comedy, Scavenger Hunt, Networking & More

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The retailers and restaurants Arsenal Yards has a variety of events coming up, starting with a Valentine’s Day activity. Also check out a comedy show, a scavenger hunt and a networking event. February 14, 6-8:30 p.m. – Valentine’s Day at Central Rock Gym: https://www.arsenalyards.com/events/24951/valentines-day-with-central-rock-gym/

February 21, 9 p.m. – Comedy Show at Tori Jiro: https://www.arsenalyards.com/events/24982/comedy-show-at-tori-jiro/

February 20-24 – February School Vacation – Scavenger Hunt: https://www.arsenalyards.com/events/24986/february-break-scavanger-hunt/

March 6, 4:30-5:30 p.m. – Ulta Salon Open House (Networking Event): https://www.arsenalyards.com/events/24966/salon-open-house/

Around Town

Watertown Celebrates Festival of Lights with First Hanukkah Menorah Lighting

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Charlie BreitroseRabby Dovid Zaltzman of Chabad Watertown lights the menorah at Arsenal Yards during the Hanukkah celebration. The Festival of Lights was on full display in Watertown Monday night, with a Hanukkah Menorah lighting, a gelt drop, and even a fire dancer. The first annual Watertown Menorah Lighting took place in a courtyard at Arsenal Yards, and the event was organized and presented by Chabad Watertown, a recent addition to town. Rabbi Dovid Zaltzman, from Chabad Watertown, said Hanukkah celebrates a miracle that occurred back in Biblical times. The Jewish people had just defeated the Greeks in a war, but during the war the Jewish Temple was damaged.

Around Town

LETTER: Former Councilor’s Shares Letter on Development from 2016

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In response to recent projects being approved and proposed in Watertown, former District A Councilor Angeline Kounelis sent out a letter she submitted to Planning Board and City Officials in December 2016 regarding the property at 485-615 Arsenal St. (Arsenal Yards) and the Master Plan Special Permit. She added that she voted against the 2015 Watertown Comprehensive Plan and the 2016 Regional Mixed Use District. Greetings,

SHADOWS FROM THE PAST – 12/14/2016

For many years; many of us have been advocating for: “…balance…for viable development that will blend with less consequence on our community and its residents.” Although some of the then proposed site specifics for Arsenal Yards have changed; the location remains: “a city within a city with amenities galore for its prospective residents.”

Entertainment

Arsenal Yards Hosting Holiday Happenings, Selling Christmas Trees

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Arsenal Yards will be selling Christmas trees during the holidays. The following information was provided by Arsenal Yards:

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Arsenal Yards, the thriving new neighborhood in Watertown, invites area residents, workers, and visitors to sleigh the season and enjoy holiday happenings now through the end of the year. With a plethora of events and activations, including the launch of a *new* Christmas Tree Farm pop-up by Brewer Christmas Tree Farm in Bond Square – along with plentiful opportunities to give back to the Watertown community, guests can enjoy a packed schedule of seasonal activities and entertainment. The festivities will kick off on Black Friday, November 25th with the unveiling of the pop-up Brewer’s Christmas Tree Farm in Bond Sq, where guests can immerse themselves in a forest of fresh, beautiful balsam-fraser hybrid fir trees and pick out the perfect one.

Around Town

Kura Sushi Offering Tetris Inspired Sushi Boxes & Prizes

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The following announcement was provided by Kura Sushi:

Kura Sushi USA, Inc., a leading technology-enabled Japanese restaurant concept serving authentic Japanese cuisine through an engaging revolving sushi service model, is thrilled to announce its newest Bikkura Pon collaboration with one of the most popular electronic games of all time, Tetris®. Joining forces once again with the Tetris brand after a highly successful collaboration in late 2021, The Tetris Company and Kura Sushi USA are proud to unveil the reimagined “Tetris™ x Kura Sushi Bikkura Pon Series 2 Collaboration” featuring all new prizes and brightly colored Tetris-inspired sushi boxes. Available exclusively at Kura Revolving Sushi Bar U.S. restaurants, including at Arsenal Yards in Watertown, through December 31, 2022, the Tetris x Kura Sushi Bikkura Pon prize collection includes a lanyard, temporary tattoos and can badges. The unique collectibles are dispensed from the Bikkura Pon Prize System, an integral part of Kura Sushi USA’s interactive and tech-driven dining experience. The system is comprised of a prize machine, touch panel and plate disposal slot located at every table in the restaurant.

Entertainment

Vote for Favorite Carved Pumpkin in Arsenal Yards’ Contest

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Arsenal Yards provided the following information:

Our annual Pumpkin Carving Contest is BACK during Fall Falladays at Arsenal Yards. Pumpkins will be on display in the River Green from Friday, October 28th (at 6pm) to Monday, October 31st. Stop by, select your favs and help us carve out a winner! NEW this year! All votes will be entered to win a $100 Gift Card to their favorite Arsenal Yards destination. Pumpkin designs are submitted from the local community and all proceeds for this contest supports the Watertown Boys & Girls Club.