Business

Future of Life Science Industry to be Discussed by Panel at Chamber’s Virtual Event

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The Charles River Regional Chamber will host a virtual panel discussion focusing on the future of the life science sector in the area, development and more. “The Value of Life Science Development and Future Impact,” will take place on Thursday, April 13, from 11 a.m. to noon via Zoom. The event is free and open to members & nonmembers. The Chamber provided the following description:

There’s been plenty of worrisome headlines about the fate of Greater Boston’s life science sector. An oversaturated real estate market? Declining stock values and IPOs?

Development

REMINDER: Hear About Proposed Project on Cannistraro Site in West Watertown

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Broder/CBTAn illustration of the potential designs for a project at Pleasant Street and Rosedale Avenue, which would include a life science building, a garage and retail space. The developers of the proposed project on the Cannistraro site on Rosedale Road will hold a community meeting on March 20. The project includes multiple life science lab buildings and a garage on the Westside property. Click here to see the documents submitted to the Planning Department (scroll down to Click Here for Applications, Reports, Plans, and other project documents). Dear Community Member:

Please join Broder (www.broder.com) for a presentation of its plans to redevelop the site at 275 & 313 Pleasant Street, 80 Rosedale Road, and 60 Acton Street.

Business

Watertown Dance School Will be Closing After a Dozen Years

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After teaching children to dance in Watertown for a dozen years, Miss Maria’s School of Dance will close later this year. This week, Maria Zullo, or Miss Maria to her students, sent a letter to parents and students on Feb. 24 announcing that her studio will be closing in June. She cited the challenges of the Pandemic and its aftermath as factors in her decision. The studio will host one more round of recital shows before closing, Zullo said, and there will be time for current and former students to come in to say goodbye to the teachers.

Business

Watertown Biotech Company Being Investigated for Breach of Fiduciary Duties

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The following piece came from Shareholders Foundation:

An investigation was announced over possible breaches of fiduciary duties by certain directors at SQZ Biotechnologies Company. Investors who purchased shares of SQZ Biotechnologies Company (NYSE: SQZ) have certain options and should contact the Shareholders Foundation at mail@shareholdersfoundation.com or call +1(858) 779-1554. The investigation by a law firm concerns whether certain SQZ Biotechnologies directors breached their fiduciary duties and caused damage to the company and its shareholders.Watertown, MA based SQZ Biotechnologies Company, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, develops cell therapies for patients with cancer, autoimmune, infectious diseases, and other serious conditions. SQZ Biotechnologies Company reported that its annual Total Revenue rose from $20.99 million in 2020 to $27.09 million in 2021, and that its Net Loss increased from $50.52 million in 2020 to $68.74 million in 2021. On or around October 29, 2022, SQZ Biotechnologies Company conducted its initial public offering (“IPO”), selling 4,411,765 shares priced at $16.00 per share.

Business

Charles River Chamber Seeks Nominations for Business, Non-Profit Leaders of Color

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The Charles River Regional Chamber sent out the following announcement:

Do you know an outstanding business leader of color, or emerging leader of color, who works and/or sits on a board for a business or nonprofit that is physically located in Newton, Needham, Watertown, Waltham, Wellesley, Natick or Framingham? If so, please consider nominating that person for the “50 Most Influential Business Leaders of Color in Greater Boston’s Western Suburbs” list or the “Emerging Leaders of Color” list due to be published this spring. Both lists are a collaborative project between the Charles River Regional Chamber and Colette Phillips, and her companies Colette Phillips Communications and Get Konnected! and are designed to celebrate, document and encourage a diverse workforce in Greater Boston’s west suburban communities. The report will be an updated — and expanded — version of the original list first published in 2020 that became a resource for corporations and nonprofits looking to hire, looking for board members, looking for expert commentators and looking for thought leaders across the region.

Business

Watertown Life Science Company Cuts Staff by Over Half, Replaces CEO

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SQZ Biotechnologies announced a reduction of more than half the company’s staff, and appointed a new CEO after the resignation of its previous one. The company’s research focuses on cell therapies. The company based in Watertown, announced on Nov. 30, 2022, that Armon Sharei has step down from his role as chief executive officer and the Board of Directors. The Board appointed Howard Bernstein, former Chief Scientific Officer and current director, as interim CEO.

Business

Charles River Chamber Holding Young Professionals Event in Watertown

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The Charles River Chamber of Commerce will host a networking event in Watertown. See the Chamber’s announcement below. Young Professionals Happy Hour at Taffer’s Tavern

Tuesday, Nov. 1, 5:30 to 7 p.m. 541 Arsenal St., Watertown

Free, open to members & nonmembers

Our popular YPG Networking Happy Hour is heading to one of Watertown’s newest spots! Taffer’s Tavern (from Bar Rescue’s Jon Taffer) is quickly becoming a go-to destination in Arsenal Yards – don’t miss the chance to check it out!

Business

Booty by Brabants Opens Pop-Up Store in Arsenal Yards

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Booty by Brabants opened a pop-up shop in Watertown’s Arsenal Yards. The following information is provided by Arsenal Yards:

Arsenal Yards, the thriving new neighborhood located along the Charles River in Watertown, is excited to announce the development’s latest addition: a new Booty by Brabants Pop-Up Shop now open in Arsenal Yard’s Bond Square. A female-founded company known for its community-driven, inclusive approach and strong e-commerce business that has attracted consumers globally, local “athleisure” brand Booty by Brabants will expand its brick-and-mortar presence just in time for the holidays with the opening of it’s 13th storefront to-date. Shoppers can expect an intimate, boutique-meets-warehouse experience with much of the same inventory available online, in addition to in-store perks such as early access to new product releases and the brand’s biggest Black Friday sale yet. 

“With permanent stores currently open on the North Shore and South Shore, my goal with this third location was to bring convenience to my customers during the holiday season,” said Booty by Brabants Founder and CEO, Kelly Brabants. “We can be last minute shoppers, and I wanted my city customers to have easy access to a BBB shopping destination, where I’ve hand-picked my favorite pieces at the moment that I know my customers will love.”

Before or after they shop at the new Booty by Brabants location, visitors are invited to check out Arsenal Yards’ fitness and wellness offerings, including Pure Barre, sweetgreen, Vitality Bowls, Garbanzo, and the newly-opened Central Rock Gym.