Introducing Small Business Patch

The newly launched site offers tips, info and digital know-how for small business owners.

Patch has launched a new site to educate and empower small businesses with the digital tools, social media strategies and marketing know-how needed to ensure long-term growth. Readers will have access to exclusive interviews with well-known founders and CEOs and small business industry experts who share their experiences, advice and tips for success. One of the latest articles features an exclusive interview with successful real estate entrepreneur, Barbara Corcoran, founder of The Corcoran Group. In this Q&A, Corcoran discusses the how to take advantage of the size of a small businesses, and why making big “mistakes” made all the difference in her success. Click here to read about the tactics Corcoran used to grow her business. …

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Burrito Chain Cancelling Plans For Waltham

The burrito was to be located on Winter Street.

More than year after proposing a new location for Waltham, Boloco, a regional burrito chain, is abandoning its plans. The company had planned to open a location at 475 Winter St., but has requested withdrawal of the plans after the city's Rules & Ordinance Committee had wanted more time to discuss the issue, according to the city clerk's office. The full City Council will vote on the withdrawal request at its Monday, Nov. 26 meeting. While no specific reason was given for the withdrawal yet, Boloco CEO John Pepper previously told Waltham Patch his company was encountering too much red tape in the process to get their request for a special fast food permit approved. He also cited troubles with the company's attorney. Pepper had said they he…

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When Is Doctors Express Opening in Waltham?

Doctor's Express plans to open in Waltham soon.

Doctors Express's urgent care center plans to open in Waltham on Dec. 1, according to company officials. The urgent care center, to be located at the Main Street Marketplace at 1030 Main St., plans to open for business on Dec. 1, according to Dave Adams, the owner/manager of the Waltham site. "It's an absolute need in the community," Adams said during a recent interview with Waltham Patch. "We really wanted to be in Waltham and be part of the broader business community in Waltham." On Dec. 1, the facility will hold an open house to kickoff its opening, Adams said. Doctors Express joins iParty, which is already open at the site, and Chipotle, Panera Bread, Five Guys, Massage Envy, European Wax Center and Aspen Dental, which all have plans …

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Bites Nearby

Bites Nearby: Francis Food Mart

This modest supermarket in west Watertown has a deli counter in it with fresh-roasted meats, fresh-made salads, homemade sandwiches and subs and hearty winter stews.

This old-style supermarket at 1084 Belmont St. in Watertown features a deli with a good assortment of sandwiches, subs, pre-cooked dishes and salads. All the food is made in-house by Karyl, the woman who will probably be serving you as well. What to eat: The meats are particularly good, with the roast beef and turkey cooked right in the store. There are both standard hot and cold subs and sandwiches, like ham and cheese, meatballs, chicken salad, egg salad, macaroni salad, and weekly specials, such as chicken cutlet, tomato and cucumber salad and fried zucchini. The vibe: The deli counter is a flashback to the 1950s, with friendly and prompt service by someone who actually makes the food. Cool factor no. 1: The deli dishes cost quite a bit…

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Waltham In The Kitchen

Landscaping To Limoncello: Former Waltham Resident Follows His Passion

Bentley University graduate Phil Mastroianni talks about his commitment to his Fabrizia Limoncello business and how he balances this with working for his father's business, Phil Mastroianni Landscaping & Tree.

When he was growing up in Newton, Phil Mastroianni never thought he’d be making limoncello or working in his father’s Waltham-based landscaping business. But, that is now how he spends his days. “I left my job [as an accountant] and began working for my father’s landscaping company. I’ve gone from one day, a year-and-a-half ago, to half and half with Fabrizia. It’s more time, no more just nights and weekends," said Mastroianni, a Bentley University graduate. Early on, Mastroianni was fascinated with the stock market. When he joined the Stock Market Club at F.A.Day Middle School and later did some actual investing while at Newton North High School, Mastroianni realized he had a talent. He followed through by pursuing an accounting degree at…

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Waltham In The Kitchen

Changes Coming To The Waltham Restaurant Scene

Restaurants come and restaurants go, but Waltham is certainly seeing another renaissance with three restaurants opening in the past few months and at least a couple of more right on the horizon.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the first edition of our new column called Waltham in The Kitchen. It will cover food news in Waltham as well as other restaurant happenings. Waltham has one of the widest varieties of ethnic cuisines available in greater Boston. With its location right off of Route 128 and a number of colleges in close proximity, it is the ideal location for not only good ol’ American food but is also the place to travel the world, at least with your palate. Coming soon: Stadium Sports Bar and Grill, 342 Moody St. (opening TBA) – With locations already in South Boston and Quincy, Stadium makes the move to the suburbs with its upcoming location in Waltham. Offering “7 Days of Savings” specials and a number of entertainment options (…

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Wendy Schapiro

6:47 pm on Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Actually, I'm not writing for Waltham Patch any more so I haven't kept up with it. Sorry! Usually it takes a while to get all of the permits, etc. in place...   more ›

Meet the Business Owner: Rogers Pharmacy

Rogers Pharmacy is celebrating its 75th anniversary in Waltham this year. Owner Jon Cincotta talks about what it's like to run the business.

Business: Rogers Pharmacy, 923 Main St. Owner: Jon Cincotta When did the pharmacy first open: July, 1936 Why did it open in Waltham instead of another town?:  “I’m not sure.  There used to be 27 [independent] drug stores in Waltham, but now we’re the only one left.” How many employees do you have?: “We have four full-timers, six part-time, and two delivery guys.” What are the challenges of running a business?: “Our biggest challenge is insurance companies. Trying to cut cost and the mail orders. Before it was a huge price difference, and now we’re finding it’s swinging the other way around with mail orders, so I’d say mail orders and insurance companies.” What is your favorite part of running a business?: “It’s the personal relationship we…

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Meet the Business Owner: The Tea Leaf

Sally Collura, who owns The Tea Leaf at 487 Moody St., recently spoke with Patch about her tearoom that has been in Waltham since November, 2005.

Since Sally Collura opened The Tea Leaf at 487 Moody St. in November 2005, she has enjoyed greeting customers, making friends and coped with the challenges of owning small business. Now, take a few minutes to meet her. Why did you your store open in Waltham instead of another town: “People would ask me if Waltham would support a tea room.  There’s walk-by traffic, drive-by traffic and your storefront has to be noticeable.  With the business of tea, people will drive up to one-hour to get here,” Collura said. She continued: “I find this is a wonderful location because it’s close to Route 128 and Route 20.  I have Waltham residents who like tea.  There are local people who are regulars who come here.  I got a call from a retired attorney in …

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Meet The Business Owner: Yoga Power Studio

Ever since Renee LeBlanc started Yoga Power Studio, she has seen her business grow.

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Meet The Business Owner: Back Pages Books

Owner Alex Green talks about the Moody Street business he started in 2005.

Owner Alex Green opened Back Pages Books in 2005 and since made not only a job, but a lifestyle. Check out our profile of the shop below, in what is the first of a series of profiles of local businesses. Why did it open in Waltham as opposed to another town?: “I had gone to Brandeis, and I really fell in love with Waltham.  I was at a barbeque with a friend, and we both were thinking of what we wished was in Waltham when we were at college, and we came up with a bookstore.  So I said, ‘Why not open a bookstore?’” How many workers do you employ?: “It varies constantly depending on the season.  There are four total now, including me.  Everyone comes with equal skill sets, and everyone has a different strength to make it a well-rounded store…

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