October 2021 - News & Updates

Come Enjoy New Seating on Tim White Way
Have you seen the new additions on Tim White Way? Between the Post Office and the Roche Bros parking lot, you'll find the heart of West Roxbury with new furniture. Take a seat and stay a while! And more changes to come!

Visit Tim White Way today and tell us what you think. You'll find the QR code linking to a quick survey on the fence and kiosk. Thanks in advance for helping us transform the space into a new outdoor living room for Westies to enjoy! Learn more about the Tim White Way project in our recent "Westie Stories" Blog Post.
Call for WRMS Volunteers - Next Orientation November 4th
Help us make the West Roxbury Main Street district an even better place to live, work, and do business.

Join us via Zoom on Thursday, November 4th at 7pm over Zoom to learn about volunteer opportunities with WRMS.

WRMS Volunteer Committees:
  • Design Committee
  • Marketing and Cultural Committee
  • Economic Vitality Committee
  • "Streets" Team (help out with one-off WRMS volunteer projects like content development, event staffing, and cleanups)

Email Executive Director, Jacob Robinson at [email protected] to register for the event.
Small Business Spotlights

Announcing the West Roxbury Main Streets Businesses of the Year
(2020 and 2021)
This West Roxbury Main Streets Business of the Year Award is an annual recognition that the WRMS Board of Directors is tasked with determining as part of a citywide recognition by the Boston Main Street program. Boston Main Street awards were postponed last year due to the pandemic, so the 2020 and 2021 recipients are being recognized together this year.
Congratulations to Banh Mi Oi for its selection as the 2020 Business of the Year in the West Roxbury Main Street district.Banh Mi Oi Cafe opened last summer on Centre Street and has since gained quick acclaim in downtown Westie for its amazing Vietnamese cuisine, coffee and tea, and service.

Check out our feature on Banh Mi Oi and its owner Yeanie Bach on our blog Westie Stories.

The award is given in recognition of Banh Mi Oi's success as a new business in West Roxbury, including the positive buzz they've brought to the business district through their attention in several top media outlets (e.g. Boston GlobeBoston EaterBoston.com). Banh Mi Oi's outreach and engagement with the community through social media has also created a positive impact in the neighborhood through their personal and visual storytelling.

Follow on social media @banhmioi.cafe.

Visit https://banhmioi.cafe to order ahead or walk in at 1759 Centre Street.
Pictured: WRMS Executive Director, Jacob Robinson, with Banh Mi Oi Cafe's Yeanie Bach and Phi Pham at the grand opening in August 2020. 
Congratulations to Rox Diner for its selection as the 2021 Business of the Year in the West Roxbury Main Street district.

Rox Diner's made from scratch food has been winning over breakfast and lunch goers since its establishment in 2007. Rox prepares meals with responsibly and locally sourced ingredients every season.

Rox Diner receives this year's award in recognition for their conception of and support of the Hungry to Help initiative. Hungry to Help was helped bring in revenue to local Westie businesses through gift card purchases. Local businesses then pooled their proceeds to raise over $3200 in bulk food orders for Boston food pantries.

Learn more about Rox Diner's owner Johnny Fortin leadership of the Hungry to Help initiative on our blog, Westie Stories.

Follow on social media @officialroxdiner.

Visit https://roxdiner.com to order ahead or walk in at 1881 Centre Street.
Pictured: Rox Diner Owner, Johnny Fortin (left), and past WRMS Board President, Michael Loconto (right), delivering food in bulk with other volunteers to the West Roxbury Food Pantry during the Hungry to Help initiative earlier this year.
The Centerpiece Flower Shop wished all of its clients and customers a wonderful Indigenous Peoples Day earlier this week. Owner, Angel Diaz, posted on Instagram: "From the Guajiro people of my birth country, Venezuela, to the MassachusettWampanoag, and Nipmuc tribes of this region, we want to recognize and celebrate vibrant Indigenous communities and their beautiful resilience. Working with flowers has given me a unique perspective on the fleeting, delicate beauty of the natural world around us, and I know that we are only the present stewards of a long tradition of caring for this land. This is especially true as we watch the symphony of color about to burst around us as we enter peak foliage season. Have a wonderful week."
COFFEE + CRYO is back at Cryotherapy West Roxbury! 
Stop by Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings between 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. for a $20 CRYO session and a cup of coffee. It is the coolest (and hottest!) way to start your day! 
Need to pop in on your way to school drop off? No problem, kids are always welcome to come in and chill out while we run your session. 

UPCOMING SCHEDULE CHANGES! 
In an effort to provide more flexibility, beginning November 1, 2021, chilling hours will be as follows: 
Monday: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 
Tuesday: CLOSED 
Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 
Thursday: 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. 
Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Fall Fun for the Family
Upcoming Events Around the Neighborhood
Tai Chi for Older Adults. This workshop focuses on improving balance and preventing falls through the regular practice of Tai Chi. Participants will learn 8 single forms, derived from the traditional, well known, 24-form Yang Style Tai Chi. The forms are tailored to older adults who wish to improve balance and mobility, and consequently, reduce the risk of falling. Classes are offered at no charge and meet twice a week for 10 weeks. Class size may be limited due to social distancing requirements. Location: Indoors, BCYF Roche Family Community Center. Day and For more information or to register, contact Ann Glora at 617-477-6616 or [email protected]. Time: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Class Dates: October 12th – December 16th.

West Roxbury Branch Library Work Session. Saturday, October 16th. Members of the Evening Garden Club of West Roxbury will join members of the Friends of West Roxbury Branch Library to put the Reading Garden to bed for the winter. The group will also do some general property clean-up. Any and all volunteers are welcome for any amount of time. Students can get community service hours. Please bring garden tools, clippers, rakes, brooms, dustpans and gloves. Bags will be provided. Coffee and donuts as well. 8am-11am. Saturday, October 16th. (Rain Date 10/17 1-4pm)

Mary Mulvey Jacobson Square Dedication. The Mulvey Family is honored and excited to invite you to the dedication of Mary Mulvey Jacobson Square in West Roxbury. Please join local business owners, elected officials and friends in honoring and celebrating Mary’s inspirational commitment to the community. Location: The corner of Park Street and Centre Street in West Roxbury. 11am. Saturday, October 16th.

Retirement Party for West Roxbury Branch Library Head Clerk. The Friends of West Roxbury Library have planned a little gathering to wish Maureen well in her retirement. There will be cupcakes and beverages in the back garden or in the big meeting room depending on weather. Join the celebration of her many gifts shared over the past forty years with the library patrons at West Roxbury. 4:30-6:30pm. Monday, October 18th.

Touch a Truck Festival. Food, games, prizes, trucks, and fun! Location: Holy Name Parish School (535 W Roxbury Pkwy). Parking available on W. Roxbury Pkwy. Event raises funds for the school. Register here. 10am-2pm. October 23rd.

Drive-through Trunk 'r Treat. Gather your family, put on your costumes, and hop in your decorated car for a Halloween event organized by Parkway YMCA. Marvel at the decorated TRUNKS and costumes with some surprises along the way. Location: The Gardens Cemetery (670 Baker Street). Cost: Free (donations welcome). Free pumpkins, candy, and trinkets. Attendees are encouraged to dress in costume themselves and/or their car. Regulatory precautions: Stay in your car and drive through the event. Organizers will follow the CDC, State, and City COVID guidelines. Register here. Friday, October 29th.

Trick 'r Treat Centre Street. Parkway In Motion's annual event is back on this year. 11:30am Check-in at Billings Field. 11:30-12:30pm Trick or Treat along Centre Street. 12:30-1:30pm Food, Music, Face Painting & Crafts. Register online at parkwayinmotion.org/events/trick-or-treat. Saturday, October 30th.
Small Business Resources
West Roxbury Main Streets | 1842 Centre Street | 617-325-6400 | wrms.org