Reading’s much-celebrated annual Shop the Block event is on Thursday December 1. Many shops & businesses will be open late on during Shop the Block – Grab a few friends to shop & dine downtown!
Our event gives customers the chance to celebrate longer, stay socially distant, and enjoy fun shopping experiences all season long. Businesses, restaurants, and salons in Reading are working together to make this an amazing event, so be sure to follow Shop The Block Instagram and Facebook pages! The Reading Post has features of some of the Shop the Block businesses [Read More]
|
|
Michaela Mann, the owner of Biss Botanicals, has been operating her plant and rug store since June 2021 after leaving the tech world. Biss Botanicals will be participating in Shop the Block this week, putting their products and, effectively, Mann’s personality, on display.
After experiencing burnout in her former field, Mann decided to take a risk and be her own boss. She noticed the niche segment of the market, especially considering there has been nothing like Biss Botanicals on the North Shore. Mann has always loved plants and shopping to find items that give her joy. She curated Biss Botanicals as an extension of her own personality.
|
|
“I always joke that the whole store was just sort of an experiment to bring things together just to see if other people would like them as much as I do,” said Mann. “I’d like the shop to not just be a store, but an environment, a relaxing sort-of sanctuary where people can wind down, relax, and be comfortable shopping.”
Biss Botanicals offers a wide variety of products sourced locally, including hand-selected plants from local vendors, an assortment of giftables and goods, and a curated collection of fine rugs. The plants sell the most, as shoppers will come in for a plant and a planter to go with it as a gift for someone else. These planters may be vintage as well as most of the rugs sold. [Read More]
|
|
Reading resident Crystal Hodson and her brother Greg opened Fat Larry’s on December 2, 2021. They are looking forward to participating in Shop the Block as their one-year anniversary of opening nears.
With both parents Reading Memorial High School graduates, Crystal and her brother grew up in North Reading, and Crystal eventually moved into Reading herself in 2007. She had always wanted to open up an ice cream shop and finally got the opportunity when she and her brother opened up Fat Larry’s in the building owned by their father, who is the business’s namesake.
|
|
Hodson worked in the banking industry for 13 years before opening Fat Larry’s and took a big leap of faith into the restaurant industry. She took a year off between leaving the bank and opening the shop to learn the skills necessary to run the business and opened in December 2021. Hodson sings high praises for the help she received from the town with opening Fat Larry’s and finds them “beyond helpful.”
“I am thankful every single day [for opening the shop] because this may be a different stress, but I love being in my community, I love being in my shop, I love every second of it,” said Hodson.
The sandwich side of the business sees the most revenue and has even landed on Boston.com’s List of Best Sandwich Greater Boston. While Hodson’s personal favorite is the Cilantro Lime Roast Beef sandwich, the Turkey Apple Cheddar sandwich is the most popular, according to Hodson. [Read More]
|
|
Liz Whitelam, the owner of Whitelam Books on Main Street, recently celebrated its fifth anniversary of opening. Whitelam, an avid book lover, has loved bringing a bookstore into Reading and contributing to the downtown community.
Whitelam, a long-time Reading resident, had been working in the corporate world in various sectors for almost 20 years, including marketing, internet technology, and consulting. As a “lifelong compulsive reader,” Whitelam was ready for something new, hoping that this something had to do with books.
|
|
She looked into getting a degree in Library Sciences but got involved with a consulting group that helps people open bookstores who don’t have prior experience. Through the online course, Whitelam realized that she could bring together all the skills she had developed in her corporate life. Attending the conference held in Florida, she found her people.
Through the consulting group and their “bookstore bootcamp,” Whitelam was able to connect with the larger book-selling community. She found the bookstore industry to be very collaborative.
Whitelam had also seen the investment the town and larger community had made in evolving downtown Reading. She recognized this commitment to making space for new businesses and wanted to be a part of making that successful. [Read More]
|
|
Amy Collins, a Reading native and owner of Goodhearts Children’s Shop, is opening a new location at 605 Main Street at the beginning of December. This expansion marks a new chapter for an established Reading business and hopes to walk with its young client base into the next important stage of their life.
Collins got her degree in Consumer Studies at UMass Amherst after graduating from RMHS. She was a corporate buyer for a long time but had always wanted her own business, so when Goodhearts went up for sale in 2014, she jumped at the opportunity.
|
|
With an infant, corporate life had become increasingly difficult. Goodhearts was already a very established business that Collins was excited to cultivate. “It already had a great reputation and was already filled with great brands,” said Collins.
One of Collins’ greatest successes since taking over the business has been expanding Goodheart’s services for special events, like Christenings and First Communions, as the largest portion of Goodheart’s business comes from First Communions and new baby gifts.
Goodhearts is also known for special baby gifts and “take me home from the hospital” outfits. Goodheart’s provides gift-wrapping as well on their products, and Collins has even seen people come in to buy a gift and have it wrapped on the way to a baby shower. [Read More]
|
|
Seasoned hair stylist Kara Sennott opened The Style Lounge in May 2022 and is looking forward to her first-ever Shop The Block and engaging with the Reading community. She had worked at a Stoneham salon for 17 years before following her dreams for a salon of her own and has been growing since they opened their doors.
Sennott began looking into salon ownership in November 2021, and The Style Lounge’s current location opened itself up to Sennott. With the help of her husband Chris, the general contractor for the buildout, Sennott opened in May this year. Three of her coworkers from the Stoneham salon moved over with her to The Style Lounge and have contributed significantly to the growth of the business.
|
|
A large portion of The Style Lounge’s clients come from Reading and Stoneham, but Sennott has had clients traveling to the salon from all over New England for their services. The Style Lounge is equipped with 14 stylist stations and two esthetic rooms. A medical esthetician works out of The Style Lounge every other weekend, but they regularly offer waxing and skincare services.
In addition to its regularly provided services, The Style Lounge has recently started its membership program, which comes with a variety of benefits. For $250 a year, members will receive priority booking, discounts on retail, seasonal packages, treatment packages, merchandise, and first all-access to promotions and events.
“We want to be able to inspire, create a change, make them feel happy and really good,” said Sennott. “I would love to get it fully staffed and create a team that’s really positive and able to inspire men and women in the way they look and feel their best.” [Read More]
|
|
Since 1992, the Common Lighting Fund has come under the care of the Reading/North Reading Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber publicizes and organizes the holiday event and solicits large and small donations from member businesses and the general public. At times the Chamber has requested and received funding support from the Reading 350th Celebration Trust Fund.
It was not always so. In the early days, funding came from the town budget. For many years, Reading contracted with a private firm to handle the dramatic display. That all changed at the May 1976 Town Meeting. We were in a belt-tightening era just three years after the energy crisis. After lengthy debate over the propriety of the government’s use of tax dollars to sponsor the celebration, by a vote of 86 to 85, the lighting’s appropriation was removed from the budget, and a new era began.
|
|
Following the vote, then Chronicle editor Bruce Morang reflected on the decision. He opined: “This vote was not done idly and not without serious debate, but the question remains unanswered whether or not this community and its people have a sense of community and a sense of what that festival of lights means to each heart that contemplates it.” His question was soon answered in the affirmative. Business owner, longtime Town Meeting member, and future Select Board member, Marvin Rosenthal, rallied both the business community and the general public. He declared, “We’re going to raise the entire amount by asking people for nickels, dimes, and dollars, and we’re going to have a lighting display that is part of all of us.” His efforts resulted in the establishment of a fund to purchase bulbs which he donated to the town. He also set up a maintenance program for years to come.
In 1982, a new fund was established in order to expand on Rosenthal’s efforts. A trio of local business executives: Bruce Morang (Reading Chronicle), Walter Arsenault (Harrow’s Pies), and Arnold Burger, opened a bank account and convinced townspeople to fill its coffers. Without missing a beat, this fund kept the holiday spirit alive in the center of town for ten years until the Chamber assumed leadership in 1992.
In 2006, the 30th year of the modern era of our common lighting, the vision displayed by Rosenthal and all who rallied to the cause encountered another challenge. Significant tree growth required more lighting than the power supply could safely accommodate. New technology provided an answer. At that time, Bob Keating, from the Town’s Forestry Department, explained the benefits of LED lighting as a solution. A successful test was run on the two pear trees on either side of the walkway to Town Hall. In subsequent years, the incandescent bulbs on the remaining trees were gradually replaced by LED bulbs, using the funds raised by and donated by the Chamber. [Read More]
|
|
We are writing to express our sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone who joined us at the Hillview Country Club on Saturday, November 19 for the 15th annual Reading Senior Citizen Thanksgiving Dinner. Thanks to the generous financial support of our sponsors who helped underwrite the event, the dinner is free and open to all senior citizens from Reading.
This year’s celebration marked the first time since 2019 that we were able to gather indoors with hundreds of our friends and neighbors to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season. Guests enjoyed a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings while being entertained throughout the afternoon with music and dancing courtesy of DJ Alan LaBella.
|
|
As in years past, we encouraged those attending the dinner to bring canned goods and other food donations to help fill the shelves at the Reading Food Pantry. We are truly grateful for the overwhelming response we received for our annual solicitation of food donations. Thanks to the generosity of those who attended the dinner, the food pantry will be able to assist more local families in need during the holiday season.
Joining us at the head table were members of the Select Board, including Chair Mark Dockser, Vice Chair Karen Gately Herrick, Carlo Bacci and Christopher Haley, along with Town Manager Fidel Maltez. Pleasant Street Senior Center Coordinator Chris Kowaleski was also in attendance with members of his staff. [Read More]
|
|
Reading, MA – The 1st Annual Town of Reading Public Menorah Lighting will be held on Monday, December 19, 2022, at 5:30pm at Reading Town Common. The entire community is invited to join the Reading Jewish community and Chabad of the North Shore to experience the light and joy of Chanukah, the power of light, goodness, and kindness to counter the darkness.
Music • Crafts for Kids • Chanukah Treats • Glow Dreidels and much more!
Please dress warmly and bring a donation of shelf-stable food for the Reading Food Pantry.
with many thanks to our partners: Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce; Reading Rotary Club, the Coalition of US (CATO), Whitelam books, The Reading Clergy Association, and the Chabad of the North Shore. [Read More]
|
|
Scrooge! is the treasured Broadway musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ 1843 festive novella A Christmas Carol.
It tells the classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, a prosperous businessman who holds little room in his heart for joy or goodwill – ”Bah! Humbug!”
This season, join Scrooge as he is forced to come face to face with his selfish ways when confronted by three ghosts. In the course of one night, Scrooge is forced to examine his faults and possibly make amends before it’s too late.
A Christmas Carol is beloved by audiences around the world and has become a tradition for many.
|
|
This year the RMHS Drama Club brings a Dickensian world to life at the RMHS Performing Arts Center, featuring an elementary children’s choir and special community guests to help us tell the story.
RMHS Performing Arts Center
Reading Memorial High School
62 Oakland Road, Reading MA
|
|
Friday, December 2 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 3 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, December 4 at 2:00 pm
Friday, December 9 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 10 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, December 11 at 2:00 pm
Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for senior citizens and students.
|
|
|
Kick off your holiday season on Saturday and Sunday, December 3 and 4, by visiting Reading Education Foundation’s (REF) 20th annual Festival of Trees, a winter wonderland of decorated holiday trees donated by local families, organizations, businesses, and schools that festival visitors can win for themselves! This signature REF fundraising event, held at Reading’s Parker Middle School, is a magical and memorable community holiday tradition for adults and children of all ages. Fun can be had for all ages while raising money that REF provides to the Reading schools through teacher-initiated grants. [Read More]
|
|
This holiday season, believe in magic … believe in kindness … believe in hope as Colonial Chorus Players presents Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Radio Play. Based on the beloved holiday movie, the story centers around a department store Santa who claims to be the real deal, which leads to a court case to prove his identity and whether Christmas miracles really do happen.
This production is presented as a live 1940s radio broadcast, with an ensemble cast that brings a few dozen characters to life on stage: Josh Hyatt, Ann Marie King, Ken McElroy, David Murgo, Ellie Orsburn, Tom Ostrowski, Kevin Pierson, and Laura Raynor. The show is directed by Bob Beckman and Fred Gallagher, and produced by Maryellen Kenney. [Read More]
|
|
It is the eleventh year of QP’s perennial crowd favorite, “Suburban Holidays,” and QP will present six new short plays to kick off the holiday season, including one from local Boston area playwright, Margie Semilof, and two directed by local Reading residents Mary Ellen Macri and Donna Corbett.
|
|
BRENDAN MANNING Class of ‘23
Favorite Book: “Skunk Works” by Ben R. Rich
Favorite Quote: “It’s not the battles we lose that bother me; it’s the ones we don’t suit up for.” Toby Ziegler, The West Wing
Favorite Subject: American Revolutionary History
Clubs/Activities: FIRST Robotics Competition Team 4761 (The Robockets), RMHS Marching Band, RMHS Mock Trial, Middlesex County 4-H Fife and Drum Corps, Scouts BSA
Plans After Graduation: Brendan plans to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
|
|
Highlights from the Reading Police & Fire Logs
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
