Business

Health & Fitness Businesses Highlighted by Local Biz Group

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In a time when gyms, exercise studios and other health and fitness business are struggling, a local business group have made it easy for Watertown residents to find local options. The Watertown Business Coalition has put a tab on its webpage (watertownbusinesscoalition.com) linking to nearly 50 health and fitness providers in Watertown. Rich Baez, who works at Boston Specific Chiropractic in Watertown Square, hopes the tab will help both local businesses and residents. “The health tab is really a great option for the community to get together and support each other,” Baez said. “A lot of businesses today are struggling to stay open or leverage their dollars smartly.”

Business

Watertown Business Coalition Hosting Virtual Networking Event

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Business Coalition:

Join us to meet members of the Watertown business community and network at the Watertown Business Coalition’s Coffee Connect. The Watertown Business Coalition was started by a group of people doing business in Watertown and town residents looking to make local connections, and to support and strengthen the Watertown business community. WHEN: Wednesday, October 21, 9AM to 10AM

WHERE: The comfort of your own home! The Watertown Business Coalition invites the following groups to the Coffee Connect:

All in the Watertown Business CommunityWatertown Residents who own a business in or out of townEntrepreneurs seeking Networking OpportunitiesFormer Members of Watertown-Belmont Chamber of CommerceThose looking to connect with business owners in Watertown

To RSVP click here

Around Town

Long-Time Watertown Square Restaurant Closing This Week

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The DPW discovered a culvert deep under Watertown Square that was not on any plans. An institution in Watertown Square for more than three decades will close its doors this week. Stellina Restaurant, at 47 Main St., announced that it will serve its last dinner service. “After 34 years in Watertown, Stellina will close after Saturday August 22. Please join us for our last week,” the restaurant’s website announced.

Around Town

Local Health & Fitness Businesses Look for Ways to Survive COVID-19

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Artemis Yoga runs outdoor classes at Arsenal Park several times a week. The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a curveball for many industries, but some local exercise and fitness businesses have found some innovative ways to serve their clients. A fitness trainer has teamed up with a dance studio to provide an event for the whole family, while a yoga studio has taken to the park to do in-person classes. Meanwhile, some new businesses are trying to establish themselves in spite of the Coronavirus restrictions. Jan Taylor, who runs Get Lively: Health & Fitness, has a studio where she has been running socially distanced in-person classes.

Business

Mount Auburn Club Closing, Property to be Turned into Life Science Space

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The Mount Auburn Club in East Watertown has become a victim of the COVID-19 outbreak, with owners recently announcing that the club will be closing and the property will be sold to a firm looking to build space for life science companies. The Boston Globe reported that the Club sent a letter to members Monday which stated that said the coronavirus crisis pushed them to close down and sell. The club, located at 57 Coolidge Avenue, has been operating for nearly half a century and is recognizable for the bubbles put up over its tennis courts over the tennis courts during the winter. The 6.3-acre property will be sold to Alexandria Real Estate Equities and Newton-based National Development, the Globe reported. Alexandria recently purchased the Arsenal on the Charles complex from athenahealth, and the firms plan to use some of the space for life science companies, a growing industry in Watertown in recent years.

Business

Watertown Business Coalition Surveying Businesses About Reopening Challenges

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The Watertown Business Coalition wants to know what challenges are facing local businesses as they reopen from the COVID-19 shutdown, and have put together a short survey. Some of the barriers or obstacles maybe getting PPEs, financial advice, or getting inventory. Click here to take the survey. The group sent out the following message:

Hello Friends & Neighbors in the Business Community! As we move through the reopening phases, we want to help you reopen successfully.

Business

Watertown Restaurants Can Apply for Temporary Outdoor Seating as Part of COVID-19 Reopening

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Temporary outdoor seating will be allowed for Watertown restaurants as part of the COVID-19 reopening, with certain regulations including keeping seating at least six feet apart. As a way to allow Watertown restaurants to offer more seating as the reopen during COVID-19, the Town Manager announced that owners and managers can apply for temporary outdoor seating. Town Manager Michael Driscoll sent out the application on Thursday afternoon. The tables must remain at least six feet apart when diners are seated, and the take out area must be at least six feet from where seats are located. A five-foot path must be maintained on the sidewalk outside the restaurant to make them ADA handicap accessible.

Business

Tufts Health Plan Leaving Town, Real Estate Investor Taking Over Building

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Tufts Health Plan will leave its offices on Mt. Auburn Street after swapping it with Spear Street Capital for a property in Canton. Shown here, runner gather for the Watertown Police Department’s Finish Strong Road Race. Tufts Health Plan will be swapping its Watertown headquarters for a location in Canton after it merges with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, and the building on Mt. Auburn Street will be acquired by a real estate investor.