We are excited to share the Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion July newsletter featuring news, updates, and important information from our Cabinet.

Mayor Michelle Wu and Director of Nightlife Economy Corean Reynolds with elected officials and local food truck vendors.

MAYOR MICHELLE WU AND THE OFFICE OF NIGHTLIFE ECONOMY LAUNCH THE LATE NIGHT FOOD TRUCK PROGRAM

Last month, Mayor Wu and Director of Nightlife Economy Corean Reynolds announced the operators and schedule for the Office of Nightlife Economy’s Late Night Food Truck Program.

This new program provides 10 food truck operators the opportunity to utilize public sites for late night food service. The seven food truck sites are located near hospitals, universities, music venues, and nightlife districts, providing workers, residents, and patrons nighttime food options.

Mayor Michelle Wu, State Representative Aaron Michlewitz, State Senator Liz Miranda, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association Stephen Clark, and Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Segun Idowu with local business organization leaders and restaurant owners at Dynasty in Chinatown.

CITY OF BOSTON LICENSING BOARD APPROVES NEW LIQUOR LICENSE APPLICATIONS



Today, Mayor Michelle Wu and State Representative Aaron Michlewitz celebrated new legislation that will allow businesses with beer and wine licenses to upgrade to all alcohol licenses. In addition, the City of Boston Licensing Board today approved three community space liquor license applications for American Repertory Theater, Boston Center for the Arts, and Sorrel & Lime. The approved applicants are located in Allston, the South End, and Dorchester, respectively. 

This news follows the approval of 21 new liquor license applications for restaurants across Boston on June 26. The approved applicants spanned eight neighborhoods, including Brighton, Dorchester, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, Roxbury, the South End, and West Roxbury.

The Licensing Board is currently in the process of sending the applications to the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) for further review.

Potential applicants—and businesses interested in the upgrade option—are encouraged to contact the Licensing Board for assistance.

Mayor Michelle Wu’s Chief of Staff Tiffany Chu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Segun Idowu, and Chief of Worker Empowerment Trinh Nguyen with biotech leaders.

OEOI WELCOMES BIOTECH LEADERS TO BOSTON 

On Monday, June 16, ​​the Mayor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion welcomed over 100 guests from international companies, business organizations, and consulate offices to View Boston for a BIO Innovation Leader Reception.

This event brought together leaders in the biotech, life sciences, and innovation sectors who were visiting Boston for the BIO International Convention.

Mayor Michelle Wu’s Chief of Staff Tiffany Chu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Segun Idowu, and Chief of Worker Empowerment Trinh Nguyen delivered remarks highlighting Boston’s commitment to prioritizing science, research, medicine and technology and supporting these industries through local and state resources.

OFFICE OF TOURISM, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT KICKS OFF SUMMER DANCE PARTY SERIES

On Friday, June 27, the Mayor’s Office of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment hosted the 11th annual Donna Summer Disco Party on City Hall Plaza. This event—with over 2,500 attendees—honored Boston’s own Donna Summer, a disco legend and five-time Grammy winner that has sold over 140 million records worldwide. 

Additionally, the Mayor’s Office of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment hosted the Silk R&B Dance Party on City Hall Plaza on Friday, July 25, and will host two more dance parties on City Hall Plaza this summer on Saturday, August 9 and Friday, August 22. All events are free and open to the public and feature a photobooth by SnappedBoston.

TOURISM, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT

OPEN STREETS HYDE PARK

August 10, 2025 | Hyde Park Avenue and River Street | 10:30 am - 3 pm

During Open Streets events, neighborhood streets are closed to vehicular traffic to create room for community and play. The events allow local businesses to expand into the street, and to safely make space for music, games, bicycling, community tabling, and more.

ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND INCLUSION

CO-FOUNDER MATCHING: MEET YOUR FUTURE FOUNDING TEAM

August 18, 2025 | Boston University| 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Looking to connect with like-minded entrepreneurs who could become your next business partner? Join Startup Boston and the City of Boston for structured networking, where you will create new relationships and get one step closer to finding that critical business partner you need on your team.

TOURISM, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT

25TH ANNUAL GOSPEL FEST

August 31, 2025| Leader Bank Pavilion | 5 pm - 8 pm

This annual event hosted by the City of Boston serves as New England's largest Gospel music celebration featuring performances from a variety of gospel artists.

WCVB

CityLine: Revitalizing Boston after Dark

Late night eats are just one part of the revamp of Boston’s nightlife. The City of Boston’s new Late Night Food Truck Program features Murl’s Kitchen and other restaurants strategically placed to offer open air options after dark. Corean Reynolds, Director of Nightlife Economy for the City of Boston shares how this and other culture initiatives are helping to change the city’s reputation for closing down early. [WATCH VIDEO]

THE BAY STATE BANNER

The Boston Flower Company comes to Mattapan

A new flower shop arrived in Mattapan this summer with a mission to impact the community with beauty. The Boston Flower Company, one of the City of Boston's 91 SPACE Grant recipients, is a flower and workshop studio that specializes in weddings and corporate social events, and in hosting creative workshops. [READ MORE]

Last month, we visited justBook-ish in Fields Corner, Dorchester!

Established in 2024, justBook-ish is a Black- and LGBTQ+-owned literary gathering space and cafe that offers events, workshops, and community programming along with a large collection of books of all genres. 

justBook-ish is one of the City’s new liquor license recipients and they have worked closely with the City of Boston’s Office of Small Business, receiving technical assistance and storefront signage support from the ReStore program.

Follow co-owners Porsha Olayiwola and Bing Broderick as they share their vision for justBook-ish and how they are building community through literature, culture, and conversation in their cozy bookstore and cafe. 

View their upcoming events at justbook-ish.com and visit their store at 1463 Dorchester Avenue.

SERVICES | EVENTS | NEWS | DEPARTMENTS

Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion

1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201

econdev@boston.gov

617-635-5729

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