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Monthly Newsletter
November 30, 2020 | In This Issue
Holiday Shopping Guide
Licensing Fee Changes
Modera Move In
Eppendorf HQ
SMOC Wins State Award
Buy Local This Holiday Season - The Choose Framingham Holiday Shopping Guide
As you begin your shopping this holiday season, make sure to buy local and support Framingham businesses. From clothing stores to sweets shops, and even dog toy stores, Framingham’s local businesses have everything you need to check off your holiday shopping list this year. Choose Framingham has put together a holiday shopping guide to help make it easier for you to support local businesses and entrepreneurs – you can find that guide at our website. And below, we offer more detail on some of Framingham’s shopping spots:
 
 
If you’re looking for unique artwork, Avenue C Design is the place to go. The retail artisan goods shop and graphic design studio offers a variety of original artisan pieces as well as consignment pieces. The team at Avenue C Design has gathered several items that are available for porch pickup. You can view all of the products available for pickup here.

Avenue C Design is open from Thursday through Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm and has extended holiday shopping days from December 17 through December 23 and will be open from 10 am to 5 pm. It is located at 1062 Edmands Road. For more information, visit their website and Facebook and be sure to follow them on Instagram (@youravenuec) and Twitter (@youravenuec).
 
Looking for a sweet treat this holiday season? From bars, barks, specialties goods, gift collections, and even build-your-own products, Chocolate Therapy has just the thing for you. If you’re a fan of truffles, find your perfect one at the truffle gallery here.

Chocolate Therapy takes orders for delivery and curbside pickup. Make sure you place your order ahead of time as orders are being processed within 3 to 7 days due to the pandemic.

For more information visit their website, and be sure to follow them on Facebook and Instagram (@therapychocolate).

This holiday season, don’t forget to treat your pet. Knots of Fun offers handcrafted braided fleece toys. From soft to thick and from large to mini, there are durable rope toys for all dogs.

To learn more about Knots of Fun and to order online, visit their website, and make sure to follow them on Instagram (@happyhandshappydogs) and Facebook for more updates.

Having trouble looking for the perfect gift? No matter the occasion, Bravo Baskets has you covered. Bravo Baskets offers a customizable gifting experience designed for each specific gifting need. To place your order, all you have to do is fill out an online form (with no obligation), then Bravo Baskets will contact you to follow up on all your ideas for the gift basket to ensure the perfect basket for you.

For more information visit their website, and follow them on Facebook and Instagram (@bravobaskets).

For our full holiday shopping guide, please visit our website at https://www.chooseframingham.com/175/Buy-Local and be sure to check each store’s delivery and pickup options. If you are shopping in person, we encourage you to follow the COVID-19 social distancing and mask guidelines to ensure everyone’s safety.

Looking for more ideas? For an additional gift guide for this holiday season, visit
https://www.framinghamgiftguide.com/, an effort put together by City Councilor Adam Steiner in a personal capacity to help spread the word about Framingham’s great local options. 
Framingham Businesses Licensing Fee Changes for 2021
Several licensing fee changes are being implemented for 2021, in an effort to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on Framingham’s businesses.

Mayor Yvonne Spicer recently approved a 25 percent reduction of the $75 annual license fee for businesses with a 2020 Public Entertainment on Sunday License. That means those establishments can pay a reduced renewal fee of $56.25.
Additionally, the Board of License Commissioners recently voted to waive fees under their authority for businesses holding on-premise alcohol pouring licenses. These fees include Alcohol, Common Victualer, Entertainment and Coin-Operated Machine License Fees. Businesses that have already paid their 2021 renewal fees will receive a refund – those refunds will be made by check regardless of the form of payment made for the renewal fees.

There has been no change to the fees for businesses that do not hold an alcohol pouring license. Such establishments are required to pay their usual fee.

If you have any questions, you can contact Framingham’s Licensing Office through their website.
Modera Framingham Begins Moving In

Residents are beginning to move into Modera Framingham, 270 new apartment units in Downtown Framingham. The development by Mill Creek brings studio, 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units, along with amenities that include a 24-hour gym, clubhouse with coffee bar, dedicated work-from-home spaces, and a bocce ball court, among other services. The Modera Framingham project was one of two new developments, along with Alta Union House, to receive tax-increment financing (TIF) agreements from the then-Town of Framingham to help spur transit-oriented development in the downtown neighborhood. You can read more about Modera Framingham at the Worcester Business Journal.
Eppendorf Moves North American Headquarters to Framingham

On October 5th, Life Sciences company Eppendorf announced that they have moved their Americas Market Region Commercial headquarters from New York’s Long Island to Framingham. The company “develops and sells instruments, consumables, and services for liquid handling, sample handling, and cell handling in laboratories worldwide,” according to a press release about the move.

“We are excited to join the Massachusetts life science community,” said Dennis Barger, President of Eppendorf Americas, in the release. “We feel that Framingham's proximity to life science innovators will greatly contribute to our growth strategy by facilitating enhanced collaboration with our customers and greater access to the talent to needed grow our business.”

Eppendorf’s new 14,000 square foot facility is located at 100 Crossing Boulevard and the company will employ an estimated 50 people full time. Earlier this year, CRISPR Therapeutics announced that they will be building a new cell therapy manufacturing facility, adding to the City of Framingham’s growing cluster of Life Science businesses.
SMOC Receives State Funding for Child Care Facility
 
This month, the Baker-Polito Administration and the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC) announced that $6.5 million of Early Education and Out-of-School Time (EEOST) grant funding has been award to seven organizations, including the South Middlesex Opportunity Council (SMOC) in Framingham. The funding will be used to renovate childcare facilities for low-income children and families.
 
“We are grateful to the educators and childcare providers statewide who have worked tirelessly to adapt over the last several months as we continue to combat the COVID-19 public health crisis,” said Governor Charlie Baker in a press release announcing the funding awards. “Through these grants, we are able to make improvements to child care programs that boost the quality of early education and care and provide families in communities throughout the Commonwealth with the resources necessary for success in the classroom and beyond.”
 
“The current public health crisis underscores the need for safe learning environments that support the healthy growth and development of all children,” said Samantha Aigner-Treworgy, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. “We are thrilled to be able to support these seven programs across the Commonwealth as they turn their projects into reality.” 
 
EEOST capital improvement grants are managed by the Children’s Investment Fund, CEDAC, and the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. The grants are financed by the state’s capital budget.
 
SMOC received a grant award of $475,000 to improve its Framingham Suburban Childcare program by installing a new HVAC system, as part of a larger renovation project. The majority of the children served in the program are from low-income families.
 
“As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, so many early childhood education providers are struggling to meet the needs of vulnerable families and communities. It is gratifying to be able to announce that these seven programs will receive the necessary funding to create high quality, safe and healthy learning environments,” said Theresa Jordan, director of the Children’s Investment Fund, an affiliate of CEDAC.

“We are happy to be working with providers across the Commonwealth to ensure that young children from vulnerable communities have access to high-quality early education, and we thank Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito for their ongoing support of the EEOST Capital Fund,” said Roger Herzog, CEDAC’s executive director. “Grants from the EEOST Capital Fund are vital to the early education sector, which in turn supports families and strengthens communities.”
 
You can read more about the EEOST Capital Fund and the FY2020 awards at CEDAC’s website. 
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