Business

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

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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.

Entertainment

Get Ready for the Watertown Arts Market — Artists, Sponsors & Volunteers Wanted

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The 2023 Watertown Arts Market will take place at Filippello Park on Saturday, Aug. 19. The following information was provided by the Watertown Arts Market:

The Watertown Business Coalition is delighted to partner with the City of Watertown to announce the third annual Watertown Arts Market which will take place at Filippello Park on Grove Street on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023 from 12-5 p.m.

This celebratory event brings together the abundance of artists, arts and cultural organizations, and related businesses serving Watertown. The Watertown Arts Market is free to attend.

Around Town

Third Annual Life Science Panel Hosted by Watertown Business Coalition

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The Watertown Business Coalition will host the third annual Life Science Panel on April 25 featuring representatives from four local life science companies. The first WBC life science event was held in April 2021 during the virtual days of the pandemic. Last year, the group held an in-person event at Hosmer Elementary School. This year’s event, “Biotech in Our Back Yard,” will be on Tuesday, April 25 at the Mosesian Center for the Arts. The event begins at 5:30, and the panel will run from 6:00-7:00, followed by networking and food provided by Branch Line. 

The moderator will be Merle Kummer, the founder of CoLab which partners life science companies in the City with Watertown High School students to coordinate class visits, field trips and internships.

Around Town

Comprehensive Plan Update Includes Focus on Improving Watertown Square

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Watertown Square

When Watertown Business Coalition Co-President Bob Airasian mentioned that a city square or town center usually being “a place where people like to go,” it was greeted with a chuckle by many at a gathering this week. “It shouldn’t be a place that you are trying to avoid,” Airasian continued, “and when you are running a business in a place like that, I’m not an economist but, that can’t be good for business.” City officials want to change that, and will soon kick off a process to plan for the future of the area, and the entire City. During the WBC’s coffee connect, Watertown Planner Larry Field talked about the updating of Watertown’s Comprehensive Plan. New City Manager George Proakis said at Tuesday’s City Council meeting that he has made no secret that he wants to make adopting the new document a priority of his first few months on the job.

Around Town

Discuss the Future of Watertown Square, Tour Major Art Exhibit at Networking Event

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Watertown Square

The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Business Coalition:

Come discuss the future of Watertown Square at the Watertown Business Coalition’s Coffee Connect on Wednesday, Feb. 15. The event is free and open to all. Representatives from the City of Watertown will be on hand to listen to business owners and residents about their vision for a revitalized Watertown Square. Also, hear about plans to create a cultural district in the center of town.

Around Town

Watertown Business Coalition Hosting Coffee Connect at Local Business Fixture

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The Watertown Business Coalition will be hosting a coffee connect on the morning of Jan. 18. The group sent out the following information:

Come out and network with members of the Watertown business community, local non-profits and others on Wednesday, Jan. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

This month’s Coffee Connect will be hosted by a business that has been a fixture in Watertown for decades — Eastern Clothing. Hear from owner John Airasian, who is also a Watertown City Councilor.

Around Town

Watertown Business Coalition Fall Fest Features Local Vendors & Food

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Join the Watertown Business Coalition for Fall Fest on Nov. 17 from 6-8 p.m. at the Commander’s Mansion. Bringing together Watertown residents and the business community and kicking off Shop Watertown! Several local businesses, artists and others will sell items on the second floor of the mansion to kick off Shop Watertown (including Eastern Clothing, BLING and others). A coupon to use with the vendors will be included with the price of the ticket.

Comprehensive Plan

Local Businesses Discuss How City Can Help Make Their Future Bright

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Charlie BreitroseThe Watertown Business Coalition hosted an event called the Future of Business in Watertown at Mount Auburn Cemetery’s Bigelow Chapel. From left, WBC Co-Presidents Doug Orifice and Bob Airasian introduced Cemetery President Matthew Stephens. As Watertown looks at how to plan for the future with the Comprehensive Plan update, businesspeople shared a number of concerns and wishes for how the City could help them thrive. More than 50 people gathered at Mount Auburn Cemetery’s Bigelow Chapel Wednesday night to discuss the future of business in Watertown in an event hosted by the Watertown Business Coalition. Steve Kearney from Stantec, the City of Watertown’s Comprehensive Plan consultants, asked people what they would like the see to help businesses in the future.