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Town of Acton
Office of Economic Development
Business Updates
October 28, 2025
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| | In This Edition | | 1) Restaurant Week Extended Promos | | 2) Mural Unveiling at Gould's Plaza | | 3) Business of the Month | | 4) Training Opportunities | | 5) Ribbon Cuttings | | 6) Job Opportunities | | 7) Economic Development Committee | | 8) Doing Business in Acton | | 9) Business Quiz | | 10) Events | | | A Letter from the Economic Development Director | | |
Dear Acton Community,
This month, I would like to start by extending a special thank you to all the restaurants that participated in the 2025 Acton Restaurant Week. Your creative promotions provided the perfect opportunity to experience the rich flavors that showcase the strength and diversity of the Acton dining scene.
This year’s event brought together restaurant chains, small family-owned businesses, and home-based eateries, all united in their commitment to providing an exceptional culinary experience.
October was also a month to celebrate both new and existing businesses in town with special ribbon-cutting events. In addition, we proudly unveiled a new art mural on the exterior wall of Gould's Plaza, facing Brook Street. This mural serves as a unique connecting element, linking the Rail Trail to the plaza, bringing together recreational options, arts, and shopping for the Acton community to enjoy.
Thank you to everyone who contributes to making Acton a vibrant and welcoming place to live, work, and explore!
Warm regards,
Patricia Costa
Economic Development Director
To contact Patricia Costa, please email pcosta@actonma.gov or call (978) 929-6516.
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Remember to read to the end for Events and Business Quiz.
You may need to click 'See the Entire Image' at the end to view this newsletter in full.
| | We invite Acton to Shop Small | | |
As we approach a season of gift exchanges and family celebrations, we invite the Acton community to explore the many shopping options in town. From the finest ingredients for your holiday dinner to unique gifts for your loved ones, Acton offers something for every occasion.
We also encourage you to access the Acton Business Directory for a full list of local businesses and services. You can find everything you need right here in town.
| | 1) Restaurant Week Extended Promos | | A big thank you to our local eateries for participating in Acton Restaurant Week! Some of the special promotions have been extended, giving you a few more days to enjoy these delicious offerings. Scan the QR code to explore the extended promos and discover your next favorite meal. | | 2) Mural Unveiling at Gould's Plaza | | On October 24, we had the pleasure of unveiling the art mural Great Place to Learn and Grow, painted by Acton resident Elizabeth Ames. This mural was made possible with funds from the New England Foundation for the Arts. | | | The unveiling brought together members of the Acton business community, local artists, former Economic Development Director Julie Pierce, Select Board members Fran Arsenault and Alissa Nicol, State Representative Danilo Sena, and Senator Jamie Eldridge, as well as Acton TV and Acton Exchange, for a unique celebration. Special thanks to Donelan’s Market and Larry Gordon (Gould’s Plaza) for helping make this project a reality. | | This month, we had the pleasure of speaking with Hannah Greene, founder of Lupine Embodyworks. Hannah has recently established her business in Acton specializing in the Alexander Technique. Through this endeavor, Hannah aspires to offer kind, compassionate, and non-judgmental support to her clients. As she explains, “Each person is unique, and I listen to my students’ needs and goals, and then collaborate with them to craft a tailored approach to support their journey of self-discovery.” | | |
How did you first become interested in the Alexander Technique?
An injury from playing tennis in gym class turned into tendinitis and chronic pain. A recommendation from a music teacher led me to the Alexander technique after traditional Western physiotherapy failed.
What was your path to becoming qualified in the Alexander Technique?
This year, I completed a 1600-hour, three-year teacher training at Boston Conservatory at Berklee with mentors Deborah Adams, Jamee Culbertson, and Bob Lada. In the final year, I completed 150 hours of student teaching, which gave me the confidence and experience to work with a wide range of people.
What are some of the main benefits of the Alexander Technique for people?
Many people seek out lessons to improve posture and balance. We help them to understand the connection between mind and body to achieve better coordination, ease, and flow in movement. We teach people how to have more conscious awareness when walking or moving from one position to another, which helps to reduce muscular tension and prevent falls. The Alexander Technique also helps with pain management. We work a lot with freeing up the breath, which can lead to less vocal strain and increased vitality.
Visit Website
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4) Training Opportunities
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Training on AI to Business Owners
Have you ever thought how important it is for your business to feature high in AI tools?
SCORE is offering two free online courses designed to help business owners widen their market share and attract new clients by taking full advantage of emerging AI opportunities.
Participants will learn how to increase their business visibility in AI-driven search and recommendation systems, and explore practical AI tools to enhance marketing, customer service, and productivity.
Click here for details about the courses
| | On October 17, the Town of Acton celebrated three local businesses with special ribbon-cutting ceremonies. The events brought together business owners, staff, and customers to mark these exciting new beginnings. State Representative Danilo Sena attended the celebrations, while State Representative Simon Cataldo was represented by Anna O’Sullivan, and Senator Jamie Eldridge sent official citations to welcome the new businesses to town. | | |
Magenta Dance Place
After four years in South Acton, Magenta Dance Place has relocated to West Acton, where it hosts dance classes and socials that bring together residents from Acton and neighboring towns. The new location features convenient parking and a spacious floor.
| J.Crew celebrated its recent opening at the Brookside Shops, reinforcing the area’s identity as a destination for dining, entertainment, retail, and fashion. | | Acton Racquet Club is opening under new administration, offering four indoor pickleball courts, four outdoor tennis courts, and six indoor tennis courts and enhancing the recreational and sports options around NARA Park. | | You are invited to join us in welcoming and supporting these businesses as they grow in our community! | | 6) Job Opportunities in Acton | | |
Sparx Hockey Is Hiring a Full-Time Operations Manager
Acton-based Sparx Hockey, the leading developer and manufacturer of automated skate sharpening equipment, is seeking a full-time Operations Manager to join its growing team.
| | | This role will oversee daily operations across manufacturing, logistics, and inventory management, working closely with the VP of Operations to align execution with long-term planning. Ideal candidates will have 5+ years of experience in operations, manufacturing, or supply chain management, along with strong analytical and organizational skills. | | |
Insulet is seeking a full-time Quality Receiver Responsibilities include receiving and inspecting returned products, maintaining a clean and organized lab, ensuring accurate data entry, supporting quality system documentation, and assisting with internal audits. Candidates should have a high school diploma (or equivalent) and 1–2 years of experience in material handling, or inspection within a quality-focused environment.
| | If you’re an Acton business owner looking to hire staff, let us help spread the word about your job opportunities. Simply give us a call at (978) 929-6516 and we’ll make sure your openings reach the community. | | 7) Economic Development Committee | | Updates on the latest EDC discussions | | |
The EDC is currently discussing projects, collaborations, and grant opportunities focused on key areas in Acton, including South Acton and Great Road. Recent discussions have also covered topics such as leaf blowers and other matters of interest to both local businesses and residents.
You’re invited to join the EDC meetings via Zoom and take part in shaping Acton’s economic future. If you can’t attend, be sure to review the meeting minutes and upcoming agendas to stay informed and connected. To have access to the latest minutes, click here.
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Residents interested in contributing to Acton’s economic future are encouraged to apply for the Economic Development Committee. This volunteer committee plays a key role in supporting local businesses, attracting new economic opportunities, and guiding strategic initiatives. Please reach out to the Economic Development Director if you would like to learn more.
| | 8) Doing Business in Acton | | | |
Guide for New Businesses
This comprehensive resource is designed for both current and prospective business owners, offering valuable insights and information to help you thrive in our town. We warmly invite all residents to explore this digital booklet—just a click away!
If you prefer a printed version, hard copies are available at the Town Manager's Office in Town Hall.
Click here to view the booklet.
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Last Edition:
Which Acton business hosts the bench painted by local artist Sunanda Sahay?
| | | The bench painted by Sunanda Sahai adorns the entrance of El Huipil Mexican Restaurant, located at 273 Great Road. | | |
New Quiz:
What restaurant run by Genevieve Fraticelli and Umberto "Alfie" Fraticelli was a favorite destination at Kelley's corner in the 1950's and 1960's?
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Trek or Treat Ride
Get your costumes and bikes ready for Acton’s festive Trek or Treat Ride! The fun begins at 3:00 PM in West Acton, with riders making their way to the East Acton Village Green for a costume contest and sweet treats. All ages are welcome. Come pedal, parade, and celebrate Halloween on wheels with our community!
| | | | | Fab Lab - Arts and Crafts in West Acton | |
Fab Lab is an innovative creative studio now open in West Acton, offering sewing and embroidery workshops designed to build a foundation in stitching and basic craft skills. Classes are open to participants ages 8 and up. The studio offers a fun and hands-on way to develop creativity, coordination, and confidence!
Registration is open through the QR code on the flyer. For more details, click here to visit their page.
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November 7 - Discover STEM
Businesses are invited to participate in DiscoverSTEM, a community event where professionals in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math engage directly with students and families. Organizations showcase their innovations, demos, and stories to spark curiosity and inspire future talent. The event will take place at ABRHS from 6:00–8:30 PM. DiscoverSTEM is a unique opportunity to highlight your organization’s work, build connections, and strengthen the local talent pipeline.
Click here to learn more.
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November 8 - Pumpkin Smash
Bring your leftover pumpkins to Nara Park on Saturday, November 8, and help make a difference! This initiative of the Town of Acton's Office of Sustainability helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and keep waste out of landfills. It’s a smart, family-friendly way to teach kids about the importance of sustainability while caring for our planet.
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