Charlestown Business Association

4th Annual Charlestown Open Market June 12, 2010

Charlestown, one of Boston's historic neighborhoods, hosts a yearly open market on the Saturday prior to the Bunker Hill Day Parade, which showcases local artisans, artists, businesses and community organizations. This year the Open Market is thus held on Sat, Jun 12, with a rain date of Sat, Jun 19. This is a great day for retailers and home-based business owners to highlight their products and services and for the community to meet their neighbors, shop for unique and original items and learn about the various community groups in Charlestown. The day also includes performances by local musicians and actors, and a prize raffle. A short walk from the Freedom Trail, Bunker Hill Monument and the U.S.S. Constitution, the Charlestown Open Market is held on Main Street in front of the Bunker Hill Mall. It is also easily accessible by T: take the Orange Line to Community College. It is also on the 92 and 93 bus routes.

Applications for Participation Applications are now being accepted for the 4th Annual Open Market, to be conducted along Main Street at the Bunker Hill Mall, between Austin and West School streets. Held during Bunker Hill Parade weekend, it promises to be a well attended event. Last year we had a great turnout! This year we plan to advertise the market throughout Boston to further maximize attendance. Event Date: 6/12/2010 Rain Date: 6/19/2010 Application Deadline: 5/22/2010 Fees: Vendors & businesses: 25 Community Organizations: 10 The Open Market showcases Charlestown’s retail, service and home based businesses, community organizations and many artists and artisans from our community. You will have an opportunity to sell your wares and/or promote your business. Demonstrations are welcome. Charlestown musicians who would like to perform and sell their CDs are also invited to apply. Applications are open to Charlestown based businesses, artists and artisans on a first come/first serve basis and must be received by May 23. Space is limited. You must be a Charlestown resident or a Charlestown based business to participate. Participating vendors will be highlighted on our website with links to their business for additional exposure. For additional information, please contact Grace Bloodwell.

Charlestown Business Association Luncheon - April 28th, Constitution Inn "City of Boston" to present programs offer to Charlestown Businesses

The City of Boston, Neighborhood Development Director, will be coming to speak to the CBA about the City's programs and what it offers the city's businesses, including Charlestown.

The event will be held at the Constitution Inn, April 28th at Noon, on the 5th Floor Dave Powers Room. Lunch will be catered by Sorelle Cafe. The cost of the event is $10 per person. ($15 for non CBA members)

The Department of Neighborhood Development will present an outline of programs for small businesses including any new changes that might be taking place with these programs.

The Department would like to promote these programs and education businesses on the programs and how they can help.

Programs include:

Small Business Assistance

Boston Small Business Resource Guide - A guide designed to help business owners navigate the process of starting, expanding, or relocating a business.   
 
Neighborhood Restaurant Initiative – Designed to provide restaurants with a variety of targeted resources ranging from business development, to licensing and permitting assistance, to marketing and design.

ReStore Boston – Designed to assist neighborhood business and property owners with storefront improvements with professional design services, signage, security measures, and general repairs.

Economic Development

Boston Buying Power – A cost-saving initiative that allows small businesses to purchase energy at a long-term fixed price through access to the deregulated energy market.

Boston Community Change – A neighborhood-based customer loyalty program that allows you to Shop Locally, Share Locally.

Boston Invests in Growth – A loan pool designed to jumpstart well-financed construction projects, create jobs, and strengthen Boston’s economy.

Partners with Nonprofits – Provides matching grants up to $25,000 to help nonprofit organizations enhance the infrastructure of facilities that serve the immediate community.

Other Resources

Boston Local Development Corporation– Provides loans of up to $150,000 for existing businesses or to those relocating to the City of Boston.

Boston Industrial Development Financing Authority – Issues bonds to finance the capital needs of Boston businesses and institutions.

Boston Connnects, Inc. / Empowerment Zone – a 5.8 square mile area of Boston designated by the federal government to ensure responsible development and sustained community revitalization in areas that have experienced years chronic divestment.  

To rsvp to this event, email us at info@charlestownbusiness.com

Happy Tax Season!

The Bunker Hill Community College Community Center for Entrepreneurship will be hosting a
“Tax Implications for the Entrepreneur” event March 24th, 2010 at 6:30pm
In the A300 Lobby.
 
Jacqueline Sacks, an Enrolled Agent with the IRS and Tax Man Inc. (H&R Block)
Will offer a presentation and answer your questions About Small Business Taxation
 

Please RSVP to emdecurt@bhcc.mass.edu

by Friday March 19th, 2010 –
Feel free to submit any specific questions/topics you have ahead of time
So we can make sure we cover them.

Charlestown Business Association St. Patrick's Day Networking Social at Tangierino

Charlestown Business Association St. Patrick's Day Networking Social at Tangierino

The Charlestown Business Association invites members and the public to join a "Business After Five" St. Patrick's Day Social. The event will take place at Tangierino on Wednesday, March 17th, from 5:30 - 7 pm. Join us after work for Tangierino's delicious appetizers, and business and social networking on St. Patrick's Day. Mix with other local businesses and residents, while having a great time after work in Charlestown.

The event is FREE for CBA members and $20.00 for non-members and the public. Tangierino is located at 83 Main Street, in Charlestown. CBA Members RSVP HERE.

Non-CBA Members Register here/Pay Online.

CHARLESTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION INVITES YOU TO ITS ANNUAL MEETING 2010 AT THE FAIRMONT BATTERY WHARF, NORTH END BOSTON FEBRUARY 11, 2010, 6 – 8 PM

“The Charlestown Business Association, Celebrates 25 years of Service in 2010”

The Charlestown Business Association invites you to attend its 2010 Annual Meeting, February 11, from 6 – 8 pm at the Fairmont Battery Wharf in North End, Boston. The event will be held in the “Skylight Area” of the hotel and will offer appetizers and a cash bar. Parking is available at the hotel for $28.00. The hotel will also be offering ongoing tours of the facility including it’s meeting spaces.

This year, the CBA invites other local business organizations to attend its events to correspond with our theme for 2010 “Thinking outside the Town”. In it’s 25th year of service, the Charlestown Business Association will focus its meetings and events around this theme, helping businesses network and promote themselves outside of Charlestown to bring in more business and customers.

The Annual Meeting will be a networking event geared at promoting your business to other organizations and businesses outside of Charlestown. You can also find out what other businesses outside of Charlestown have to offer you that might be able to help you or your customers.

This is the chance for you to meet nearby neighboring businesses, find opportunities to work together, get advice on how businesses in other parts of Boston promote themselves and promote Charlestown not only as a great tourist area to visit, but also a hip place to eat, shop and stay, a great destination in general.

This is also a great opportunity for business service professionals such as lawyers, accountants, consultants and designers to introduce themselves to other Boston professionals and establish relationships outside of Charlestown itself.

To register for this year’s Annual Meeting at The Fairmont Battery Wharf, go to http://www.charlestownbusiness.com

CBA/WARREN PRESCOTT HOLIDAY SHOW VENDORS ANNOUNCED!!

CBA/WARREN PRESCOTT HOLIDAY SHOW VENDORS!

African Authentics
Stone and wood sculptures, table place mats and ethnic jewelry.

Sweet Nothings
Flowers, design your jewelry & make-up.

Stonehouse Studio
Selling handcrafted jewelry in polymer and metal.
http://www.stonehouse-studio.com/

Sioux G Vintage
Fine embroidered linens, funky mid-century table cloths, great aprons, fun dresses, and fantastic accessories including purses, jewelry, gloves, slips, handkerchiefs, belts and hats.

Pop Shop
Fashionable jewels and accessories culled from a vast variety of Lisa’s secret sources and local Boston artisans -- plus Tuff Cookie children’s fleece clothing and even handmade cookies!

Scentsible Soap Company
Natural Hand-Milled & Molded Castile Soaps, Lip Balms, Muscle Rubs and Other Related Natural Products.
http://www.scentsiblesoapco.com/

Rotsina Creations
Epoxy Enamel Artwork: Hand Design enamel art on business card case, Lockets, Beach stone, pewter neck, compact mirror, pill box, lipstick cases.
http://www.rotsinacreations.etsy.com

French Merchants
Linens from eastern France, artisan soaps from Provence and woolens from the Pyrenees. They will also assemble gift baskets with items of your choice.

LeChef Mobile
Le Chef Mobile will be sampling our delicious chocolate mousse like last year. Le Chef Mobile is a personal chef service for private parties, weekly meal plans, cooking classes and winetastings. Let Le Chef Mobile transform your home into your favorite restaurant!

Just Breathe
Recycled glass jewelry , recycled hammered aluminum, recycled wool mittens and scarves.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/unique blend

Bunker Hill Florist
Holiday ornaments,Charlestown marble coasters and tiles, Soy Based "Illume" Candles, Flowering plants, "Glovables"

Linda Marie’s Mementos Holiday home decor such as ornaments table decorations. We also sell lovely Ladies Blouses that fit one size.

Gold to Green Parties
Parties * Fundraisers * Business Promotional Events
www.goldtogreenparties.com

The Joy of Old
Charlestown items such as signs, coasters, ornaments, hats, etc. A few new C'town items, bibs, onesies, journals and mugs.
http://www.joyofold.com/

Jacaranda Living
Fine embroidered and appliqued linens, including waffle weave embroidered guest and hand towels, embroidered pillow covers, sheets and linens and spa and bath items, line of English Cotton Dresses for girls and Ladies cotton nighties, baby gifts such as onesies, blankets and towels.
http://www.jacarandaliving.com

Lowery Art
A mix of acrylic paintings, photographs, art to wear for him and for her, decorative items and Christmas cards that represent Charlestown's landmarks and some other beautiful places.
http://www.SophieLowery.1000markets.com

Sam Lowery – Student
"Bobert" series of books written and illustrated by Warren Prescott students

Irish Eyes Children’s Handmade Irish Sweater Sets, Irish Giftware and Novelty Items, Irish Ornaments, Jewelry, Books and everything Shamrock.

ETCETERA Clothing and Zyrra Bras
A line of quality ladies clothing items and custom fit bras.

Olivia Browning
Olivia Browning will be selling Charlestown Themed items, a selection of toys and jewelry! Come see us at the Warren Prescott Holiday Fair on November 14th. We're celebrating our FIRST YEAR in business and will also have some special items and surprises. Please email abby at abby@oliviabrowning.com if you are searching for something special this holiday season.
http://www.oliviabrowning.com

Karen’s Boutique
Handbags, sterling silver jewelry, hats, gloves, scarves and sunglasses

Tastefully Simple
Simple and easy-to-prepare home cooked food products. Everything from soups to desserts to "special" drink mixes.

It’s A Wrap
Stop by "It's A Wrap" for easy holiday or special occasion gift wrapping. Beautifully decorated gift boxes for ease of use. Just open the lid, put your present inside, and close the lid. Viola, you're done. There are boxes that are perfect if you are giving gift cards. The cards won't get lost, and the boxes can be recycled. Many sizes available

Warren Prescott Sale sponsored by CBA - Vendors Wanted!

Accepting Vendors for the Warren Prescott Holiday Sale sponsored by the CBA The Fifth Annual Warren Prescott Holiday Sale sponsored by the CBA will be held Saturday, November 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. This is a great Annual Holiday Shopping Event and we are accepting vendors NOW. We will be closing the call for vendors by November 10, 2009. To sign up as a Vendor for the Sale, Click Here.

LUNCH WITH THE SENATOR APRIL 1, 2009

April’s CBA member event will be “Lunch with Senator Galluchio” on Wednesday, April 1st from 12 – 2pm at the Navy Yard Bistro.  Senator Anthony Gallucio will speak and take questions from attendees.  The cost is $25.  This is one of our most popular events, as the food is incredible and the Senator is a pleasure to meet. Seating is limited for this event, so get your spot early. http://www.charlestownbusiness.com