By Courtney Wright
Happy August!
As always, the summer goes by too fast and in this year’s case, too hot. Despite the heat, it has been a fun couple of months at Main Streets watching projects come to fruition that have their seeds in the fall and spring planning.
Throughout the spring MHMS has been working on securing and allocating Beautification Grant funds made possible through a partnership with the City of Boston and the Main Streets Foundation. So far, we have embarked on two projects- both with the aim of improving the cleanliness and look of the MH Business district.
Beginning in May, we used a portion of this grant to hire Project Place and their Clean Corners program (introduced this program through Project Place a couple months ago) for one year, May 2025-May 2026. We are working on raising additional funding to enable the continuation of the partnership beyond the initial year term. The Clean Corners crew will cover over 43,00 square feet of sidewalk on Tuesday and Friday mornings, after trash days- focusing on regular maintenance, litter removal and beautification efforts in high-traffic areas of the MH business district. The street cleaning initiative with Project Place aims to improve the overall cleanliness of public spaces, enhance pedestrian and business environments and create a more attractive and accessible community.
Another project made possible by the beautification grant are the 13 planters designated along the Tremont Street corridor. The businesses adjacent to the planters were all provided with watering cans and plant care instructions, and we are grateful for their support and buy-in to keep them flourishing. These colored planters and plant selections are designed to enhance curb appeal while contributing to the neighborhood-wide beautification initiative being funded through this grant. We chose plants initially that should last until the first frost, at which point they will be switched out with winter seasonal plantings. This project was possible due to the partnership with Atlas Consultants- “a strategic consulting firm for multi-family and real estate owners and mission driven organizations, driving performance, compliance and community impact”. Atlas Consultants is made up of Elimercy Martinez and Jim Regis, both with a history and familiarity with the neighborhood through past roles with Maloney Properties and managing property in Roxbury Crossing. Similar to Clean Corridors, we hope to extend the project/planters as we increase funding to the South Huntington/Huntington intersection and add plantings along Huntington where our businesses are most dense. If only we knew last summer that all we had to do to stop the rain was to put out planters that need it- you live you learn.
Thank You to the following businesses and their staff for the maintenance of planters near their shops: Nachlo, Puddingstone Tavern, 7-11, Mike’s Donuts, Lilly’s Pasta, Chachos, and Ijaboo Children’s Learning Center. And Thank YOU Cayden Plummer, a 5th year Northeastern student who lives on Burney st. and stopped me on the street to ask how he could volunteer water planters. He’s since come to the Main Streets office and gotten supplies and we’re incredibly grateful.
Another project that we are accomplishing through this grant is the updating of the light pole business banners. Our existing stock is not reflective of new and closed businesses and needs a design file with updating capabilities. We are working with a designer, Adam Giordano (no relation to Rich) over the next few months to put together some designs that reflect current business district in Mission Hill and will be seeking public input. It is the goal to have a design finalized by November and ready to be put up this Spring. If you have strong thoughts on the type of colors, symbols, landmarks, etc that you’d like to see reflected, please email me at [email protected].
Speaking of plantings and planters- I have been made aware of a couple volunteer needs/opportunities. Boston Building Resources (BBR) is recruiting volunteer gardeners to assist with their “small but mighty!” garden over on Terrace St. Email [email protected] or BBR if you’d like to find out more.
The MH Green is sponsoring an every Friday afternoon 4-6 p.m. work session in the two pollinator meadows at McLaughlin Playground. Sessions are being held by Dennis Pultinas and Ann Antonellis and consist of removing invasive plants, with tools and instructions provided. If interested, email Dennis at [email protected]
Last Saturday was Mission Main’s Annual Family Fun Day event. I’ve been volunteering at this event for the last 15 years beginning in my Wentworth days, and it’s always a great opportunity to connect with community members. With it being an election year- it also proved to be a hot spot for those on the campaign trail. It was nice to catch up with our Councilors Sharon Durkan, Henry Santana, Ruthzee Louijeune and Erin Murphy and hand out Capri Suns with our ONS Maccon Bonner, and CSO Mike O’Rourke. Besides laughing with Willie Pearl Clark, the true highlight of my day was seeing so many of our local businesses reflected in the donations and food being given out. I am used to the community spirit and generosity of our local merchants but something about seeing everyone in the same place working for the same goal of bringing joy for local youth and families was really heartening. I spoke to Konstantine from Papas yesterday and he was saying how he’s donated for years but was never able to make it in person until this year. He was able to bring his family along this year and loved it.
Thank you to Papas Pizza, Il Mondo, Crispy Dough, Mission Bar and Grill, TGIFriday’s, and Lilly’s Pasta. Your contributions to the Mission Hill community do not go unnoticed and we are so appreciative of you!
Congratulations to New England Baptist Hospital (NEBH)! They have been named by U.S. News & World Report a 2025-2026 Best Hospital. NEBH was nationally ranked in one adult specialty and also received 3 high performing ratings in the group’s annual best hospital report. “We are proud to once again be nationally recognized by U.S. News & World Report for the high caliber orthopedics care we provide our patients,” said Mary Sullivan Smith, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, interim president, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer, NEBH. “This recognition is the result of our team’s hard work, collaboration and focus on quality.” U.S. News evaluated more than 4,400 hospitals across 15 adult specialties and 22 procedures and conditions; only 13% of evaluated hospitals earned a Best Hospitals designation.’ MH Main Streets is proud to partner with NEBH and to be able to call Christine Dwyer of their Community and Gov’t Affairs, one of our longest serving Board members!
There are some events coming up over the next few weeks with local businesses that I would like to put on your radar:
New to the Neighborhood: Harvard Federal Credit Union is opening a new branch at One Brigham Circle (1614 Tremont). With the project at Dana Farber, HFCU is being relocated from Brookline Ave to this new location. People who live or work in the neighborhood are now eligible to join the credit union based on geography. Join Harvard FCU on Tuesday Aug 12 at 9 AM at the new branch for a ribbon cutting and a check presentation to Mission Hill Main Streets. Learn more here: https://harvardfcu.org/new-branch-at-lma/. (The invitation and information for the Ribbon Cutting is also on one of the ads in this month’s gazette and on Main Streets FB page)
Have you gotten to check out the expanded dining room space at Laughing Monk Cafe? If not, you are missing out! Congratulations to Dome on such a cool and unique space within an already very popular restaurant. Next Wednesday, August 6th from 5:30-7 p.m., they will be hosting City Councilor At-Large candidate, Frank Baker and the community for a discussion/feedback session on issues faced by businesses and residents in Mission Hill. This is a great opportunity to make your voice heard while simultaneously checking out Laughing Monk’s new digs.
And finally, happening every week in Mission Hill- is trivia! Puddingstone is looking at potentially adding a Tuesday night option as well but, in the meantime, here is where Trivia is happening and when each week:
• Mondays 8-10 p.m. at Yellow Door Taqueria
• Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Penguin Pizza
• Thursdays at 7 p.m. at Tavern of Tales
• Saturdays at 7 p.m. at Puddingstone Tavern