Business

Watertown Store Named 2024 Mass Save Climate Leader

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The Sponsors of Mass Save® announced the 2024 Mass Save Climate Leaders. This distinguished recognition honors 19 entities across Massachusetts for their ongoing efforts to curb energy use, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and guide the Commonwealth to a net-zero future. One Watertown store made the list. The 2024 Mass Save Climate Leaders represent a range of industries and sectors including museums, grocery, education, healthcare, hospitality, municipalities, and more. Each honoree has shown a deep commitment to addressing the climate crisis by taking significant measures toward a sustainable future through energy efficient upgrades.  

The 2024 cohort of Climate Leaders is helping Massachusetts lead the nation in energy efficiency and meet the Healey-Driscoll administration’s ambitious 2050 climate goals by reducing environmental impacts and lowering energy costs. Each honoree exemplifies how environmentally conscious actions drive economic success and a positive climate future for the Commonwealth. 

The 2024 Mass Save Climate Leaders are: 

Acton-Boxborough Regional School District 

Berkshire Family YMCA 

BioMed Realty 

Boston College 

Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program 

Bristol Community College 

BXP 

City of Boston 

City of Melrose 

Fitchburg Art Museum 

Hampton Inn & Suites Cape Cod – West Yarmouth 

Häns Kissle 

Mass General Brigham – Martha’s Vineyard Hospital 

Moderna, Inc. 

Munters Corporation 

Roche Bros.

Business

Belle’s Burgers Takes Over Wild Willy’s Spot in Watertown

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Belle’s Burgers announces it will take over the Wild Willy’s location in Watertown. (Photo from Belle’s Burgers’ Facebook page)

A favorite spot for burgers in Watertown will continue to be a burger joint, but will have a new brand. Wild Willy’s has become Belle’s Burgers and Ice Cream. Belle’s promoted the change on its Facebook page (formerly the Wild Willy’s Watertown page) saying that they will have “Same Great Food, Same Great Staff.” The Wild Willy’s website has a message saying that the restaurant at 46 Arsenal Street is no longer affiliated with Wild Willy’s.

Business

Culture Pop Soda Leasing Part of Former Sasaki Building on Pleasant Street

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The building at 64 Pleasant Street in Watertown has been redeveloped into lab and life sciences space. (Photo by SGA)

The following announcement was provided by Berkeley Investments:

Berkeley Investments (Berkeley) recently announced that Culture Pop Soda, a rapidly growing functional soda brand, will be leasing over 6,000 square feet of space in the company’s 64 Pleasant Street development in Watertown, Massachusetts. 

Culture Pop joins current tenant Via Separations, a growing clean tech startup, which signed a lease for more than 50,000 square feet of Class A lab space last year. Situated along the Charles River in Watertown, 64 Pleasant was recently redeveloped by Berkeley into a dynamic new hub of innovative companies, and was recently the location chosen by Governor Maura Healey to promote her climate tech Initiative investment of $1.3 billion, from the headquarters of Via Separations. “We’re excited to relocate our offices to 64 Pleasant Street in Watertown,” says Tom First, Founder and CEO of Culture Pop Soda and co-founder of Nantucket Nectars. “This building’s rich history of innovation, research and product development is a perfect fit for our brand.

Around Town

Fit-Z’s Bar and Grille Will Close at the End of September

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Fit-Z’s Bar and Grille, a fixture on the Westside of Watertown since 2007, will be closing at the end of September. Co-owner Jim Fitzgerald wrote the following post on Facebook on Sept. 15. “I’m sure that most of you have heard that we are selling the bar . It looks like our last night will be Monday September 30th.

Business

Fast-Casual Middle Eastern Restaurant Opening at Arsenal Yards

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NAYA will be serving Middle Eastern dishes at Arsenal Yards. (Contributed Photo)

The following announcement was provided by NAYA:

NAYA, the celebrated Middle Eastern fast-casual restaurant known for its vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients, will be joining the Arsenal Yards neighborhood this winter in Watertown, MA. This exciting addition to the Arsenal Yards community marks a significant expansion for NAYA, bringing its authentic, health-conscious Middle Eastern dishes to New England for the first time! 

NAYA’s mission is rooted in the rich culinary traditions of the Middle East, offering a menu that emphasizes freshness, quality, and customization. Diners can expect a diverse selection of mouth-watering dishes, including signature bowls, wraps, salads, and mezze, all crafted with the finest ingredients. Each dish is designed to be both nutritious and delicious, catering to a wide range of dietary preferences and lifestyles. 

In addition to the Watertown location, NAYA has future expansion plans in Boston at 95 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02110 and 500 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116.

Business

Brigham House Assisted Living Hosting Community Open House

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On Wednesday, Oct. 2, 1:30-3 p.m. Brigham House Assisted Living will host a free info session and community tour. Find out about what Brigham House has a to offer, when it’s time to move into assisted living, financial programs, and how to qualify for assisted living. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP required: You must sign up in advance to join this in-person event.

Business

New Indian Restaurant Opens in Former Location of Strip T’s

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A restaurant serving Southern Indian dishes has opened in Watertown on School Street. Chennai Eats moved into the former Don’s BBQ/Avenue Deli/Strip-T’s space at 93 School St. in Watertown, the Boston Restaurant Talk website reported. The menu features dosas, chaat, biryani, Indo-Chinese dishes, as well as a variety of curry and other Indian dishes. Meat and vegetarian options are available.

Business

Persian Restaurant in Watertown Closing After 16 Years

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Shiraz Persian Restaurant has closed. (Photo from the Shiraz Facebook page). The owners of Shiraz Persian Restaurant in East Watertown announced they will be closing down their restaurant after “16 wonderful years.” The eatery located at 72 Bigelow Avenue published a message to its customers on Facebook in late August, and the closing was announced on Boston Restaurant Talk on Tuesday. The message reads:

Dear Valued Customers,

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closing of Shiraz Persian Restaurant after 16 wonderful years.