By Courtney Wright
Happy August, Mission Hill!
I’d be remiss to not start this month’s piece with gratitude and acknowledgement to two of our friends at Mike’s Donuts, Mira and Mosa. As long as I have been in Mission Hill, they have been the two faces I most commonly see in the morning (besides Nick, Frank and Mossy) and who know my coffee order before I even get in the door. I want to take a moment and show appreciation for the role they play in making Mike’s, our 2024 Legacy Business, a place we all go to feel like a local. Make sure to include an extra tip next time you visit (wink).
It’s hard to believe that we’re entering the last month of the summer season already. Although it has been hot, we have been lucky this year to have missed much of the rain of the previous summer allowing for more attendance at community events over the last month. From programming in Fitz Park by MHNHS and concerts in Brigham Circle with Sociedad Latina, to last weekend’s Family Fun Day in Mission Main; there has been no shortage of ways to engage. The MH Arts Fest has also been a huge success, with great turn out and fabulous performances over the course of the last few weekends. I recommend checking out their next event in the series on August 10th, featuring Ivanna Cuesta and Abria Smith. Learn more about the artists and how to get tickets here: https://www.mhartsfest.org/2024/ivanna-cuesta.html#ana-viveros.
Just in time for a new school year, we have some exciting news on Tremont St.! Hebron Market will be doing a soft-opening of their brand new market at 1522 Tremont St. on Friday, August 2nd (today as you read this). The market will be open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily beginning Friday, with a formal ribbon cutting in the works for the end of August/early September. Hebron Market will be the second business on Tremont St for Yousef Irziqat, owner of Crispy Dough, and will offer Halal-certified meat and reasonably priced, pre-packaged meals in addition to dry foods and some grocery items. It’s a beautiful space inside and I’m excited to see how they utilize the outdoor space as they get acclimated. Stop by and check it out! Congratulations Yousef and co!
In other restaurant news, this September 24th will mark 20 years since Penguin Pizza opened in 2004! In anticipation of properly celebrating this milestone in September, Pam Carthy and Dermot Doyne are asking anyone who has photos in/with/at Penguin to please send them via email to Pam at [email protected]. Stay tuned for more information on a future celebration. In the meantime, keep enjoying the daily and weekly specials Penguin has to offer. Follow them on Instagram @thepenguinmissionhill to stay updated on specials and events like trivia and themed watch parties. Speaking of specials- look out next week for Yellow Door’s (@yellowdoortaco) updates as they roll out fun new offerings as the summer winds down (their party doesn’t stop).
The month of August is going to be very busy here at MH Main Streets. As classes start back in September, we have several groups of students who will be coming through the business district over the next few weeks as an introduction/orientation to the neighborhood and what is has to offer. Beginning with Harvard Medical School Residents from the Office of Community Centered Medical Education on August 7th and wrapping up with Northeastern’s ACES program on August 29th, I look forward to showing off the establishments and unique character of the neighborhood we love. If you see me corralling students along Tremont and Huntington this month, feel free to introduce yourself and give your suggestions for things to do and places to eat and drink in the area. Simultaneously, we have a Wentworth student, Elijah Dodson, working on the Main Streets App to set up business guides/scavenger hunts aimed at getting students incentivized and out and about in the business district as they move back in September. I’m excited by the opportunity to get others excited about what we have to offer.
As we approach September, please SAVE THE DATE for Mission Hill Main Streets Annual Meeting on September 24th, 5:30 p.m. in the Yard at the Tobin Community Center. Invitations will be sent out over the next week, but in the meantime please hold the date- we’d love for you to join us.
As always, if you want me to promote something or get in touch, please feel free to email me at [email protected]