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

TWO SOCIAL DISTRICTS LAUNCH IN DOWNTOWN BOSTON 

Last week, Mayor Wu announced two Downtown Social Districts where patrons are able to consume alcoholic beverages outdoors. They are located at Union and Marshall Streets and on Temple Place. 

The Union-Marshall Street Social District operates from 9 a.m. to midnight on Mondays through Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays. The Temple Place Social District operates from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays. Both Social Districts will operate through July 31, 2026.

LICENSING BOARD AND OFFICE OF NIGHTLIFE ECONOMY ANNOUNCE APPLICATION FOR LIQUOR LICENSE HOURS EXTENSION

On Wednesday, July 10, Mayor Wu and the Boston Licensing Board announced a temporary extension to allow bars and restaurants to serve alcohol for an extra hour. This measure allows businesses currently licensed to sell alcohol until 2:00 a.m. to extend service until 3:00 a.m. through the end of July. With this extension and other initiatives, the City is expanding economic opportunities for Boston businesses during one of the region’s busiest summers in recent years.

Businesses that currently hold licenses to serve alcohol until 2:00 a.m. can apply through the City of Boston Licensing Board to extend alcohol and/or entertainment hours until 3:00 a.m. Licensed operators with earlier closing times may also submit an application to extend by an additional hour.

Please note, not all licensees are eligible for this extension. After reviewing applications, the Boston Licensing Board will send formal notice to approved licensees. Contact 617-635-4170 or licensingboard@boston.gov with any questions.

MAYOR WU HOSTS CONVENING WITH BOSTON SENIOR BUSINESS LEADERS AT WHOOP

On Wednesday, June 17, Mayor Wu convened with senior business leaders who have been integral to Boston’s success at WHOOP’s headquarters in Fenway-Kenmore.

During her remarks, Mayor Wu highlighted recent recognition Boston has received in regards to the city’s innovation economy. JLL recently named Boston the #2 innovation hub in the world, and the Financial Times just ranked us the #1 U.S. city for foreign companies to do business.

There are six new unicorns* across the Commonwealth, including three in Boston. And this spring, the Spanish government announced a $200 million investment into the Boston life sciences and biotech sectors.

Mayor Wu and the City of Boston are grateful to work with every one of our partners to make Boston the talent and innovation capital of the world.

*A unicorn is a startup company valued at over US$1 billion which is privately owned and not listed on a share market.

BUSINESS STRATEGY TEAM VISITS TOAST’S “BREADQUARTERS” IN FORT POINT

Earlier this month, representatives from our Business Strategy team toured Toast’s “Breadquarters” in Fort Point.

Toast is a mission-driven company focused on empowering restaurants and retail businesses so they can do what they love and delight their guests. Their global technology platform integrates software, hardware, financial tech, and AI to help everyone from local food trucks to massive global hospitality brands manage their businesses more efficiently, drive guest demand, and build lasting success.

Interim Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Donald Wright sat down with Toast Chief People Officer Mike Gutner to learn more about Toast’s growth in Boston since their founding in 2012. They further discussed Toast’s international expansion and the impact of Toast.org, which aims to enrich the food experience for all and create a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable world.

A special thanks to Noelle Holdsworth, Senior Manager, Employer Brand and Early Careers at Toast, for leading our tour of Toast and introducing our team to different Toasters throughout our visit.

DIRECTOR OF SMALL BUSINESS JOINS CITYLINE TO DISCUSS NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS GUIDE

On Sunday, June 21, Director of Small Business Aliesha Porcena appeared on WCVB’s CityLine, joining host Jessica Brown to discuss the City of Boston’s Neighborhood Business Guide. 

The Neighborhood Business Guide features a variety of businesses across Boston neighborhoods. Discover local restaurants and bars, activities to enjoy, and places to visit while in Boston this summer while viewing the guide.

TOURISM, SPORTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT

MAYOR WU'S COMMUNITY WATCH PARTIES

June 26, June 27, July 14, July 15, and July 19, 2026 | Multiple locations

Watch parties feature a large viewing screen, live music, family-friendly activities, face painting, food vendors, and community programming for residents and visitors of all ages to enjoy. 

CITY OF BOSTON

CITY OF BOSTON INDEPENDENCE DAY EXERCISES

July 4, 2026 | Multiple locations | 9 am - 12:30 pm

Join the City of Boston and Mayor Wu to celebrate our nation's 250th Independence Day! The celebration begins with a parade kicking off in Copley Square, a reading of the Declaration of Independence from the Old State House Balcony at 10:15 am, followed by Patriotic Exercises and Oration at Faneuil Hall at 11 am. 

CITY OF BOSTON

BOSTON HARBOR BITES

July 11-15, 2026 | Multiple locations

Boston Harbor Bites is a curated vendor experience bringing together the best of Boston's local food scene, artisan makers, and cultural entrepreneurs across the city's most iconic waterfront locations — from Charlestown Navy Yard to the Seaport to Marine Industrial Park.

BOSTON GLOBE

Mayor Wu presents fourth annual 'Dear Summer' compilation of Mass. musicians

Mayor Wu and the City of Boston surprise-dropped Volume 4 of the 'Dear Summer' Mixtape at 6:17 pm on June 17 which features a variety of music from local artists. [READ MORE]

BOSTON GLOBE

Meet the CEOs, founders, and other leaders on the Globe’s annual Tech Power Players list

The annual Tech Power Players list highlights the impact of local leaders on technology and business. They represent sectors including software, AI, robotics, cybersecurity, climate tech, and health tech. [READ MORE]

BOSTON.COM

Boston launches open-container drinking zones downtown during the World Cup

Boston has designated two downtown social districts where visitors may drink openly in public. [READ MORE]

MASSLIVE

Here are the Boston bars that can stay open until 3 a.m. so far

More than 100 establishments have chosen to extend their business hours as Boston hosts World Cup watch parties, celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the U.S. and an assortment of summertime events. [READ MORE]

BOSTON BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: MASARY STUDIOS

Founded in 2015, MASARY Studios is a Boston-based, artist‑owned collective and transdisciplinary studio reimagining environments through immersive, site-specific installations that blend sound, light, interactivity, and performance. Their award-winning work has toured extensively throughout North America. 

Last week, Interim Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Donald Wright, Director of Business Strategy Alia Hamada Forrest, and Business Strategy Manager Jeanne Dasaro visited MASARY Studios in Fort Point. 

The team toured their studio and met several staff from the MASARY Studios team including Co-founder and Principal Ryan Edwards, Co-Founder and Principal Sam Okerstrom-Lang, Principal and Technical Director Jeremy Stewart, Operations Director Grace Fo, and Technical Manager Odie DeSmith.

MASARY Studios activates public spaces through sensory-rich experiences, rents out their space to local artists, and plans to soon illuminate an iconic Boston bridge. 

Discover more about MASARY Studios at www.masarystudios.com.

SERVICES | EVENTS | NEWS

Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion

1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201

econdev@boston.gov

617-635-5729

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