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Natick business buzz: Barnes & Noble reopens at new location; David’s Bridal jilting Natick; new manicurist at Jesamondo

June 15, 2023 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The latest Natick, Mass., business news:

Barnes & Noble reopens at new location

We popped into the new Barnes & Noble bookstore location in Sherwood Plaza on Rte. 9 east in Natick on its opening day, June 14, and breathed in that new-store smell while browsing the book and gift shelves. The mega-retailer announced late last year that it would move from its long-time Shopper’s World location in Framingham and take over the 18,000 sq. ft. space between the Paper Store and Dick’s (the former Petco location). Within six months,  Barnes & Noble opened for business. Amazing how fast things can happen when that old COVID virus doesn’t get in the way.

The store is open 9am-9pm except Sundays, when it is open 10am-7pm.

Barnes & Noble

The selection at the new store is wide and well organized, with A-Z authors, and special sections for everything from Harry Potter to LGBTQ+. In addition to books, you can find vinyl records, office and art supplies, greeting cards, candles, puzzles, wellness journals, chakra cards, diffusers,  more. No doubt the place is massive. In an effort to make it seem more homey and less like a warehouse, the very well-lit space is divided into “rooms” while retaining its open floor plan. Sci-fi and fantasy lovers, for example, enter an area set up with walls of books—in front of you and on your left and right. The psychology and personal growth section invites browsers to take a seat in one of two mid-century modern style chairs and thumb through books with titles like The Happiness Trap and I Thought it was Just Me. Kids will enjoy the big wooden train set up with its freight of picture books.

 

Barnes & Noble, Natick

 

Barnes & Noble

We tried to get a sneak peek at the store before its opening, but you know, corporate. We found the store employees friendly and eager to help on opening day.

We have a few quibbles, however. We attempted to find any signs of Natick at the store, knowing full well this is not really a local book shop complete with ancient dusty tomes, sagging shelves, and a cat. An associate pointed us to a pile of “local author” books, but those were more Boston-focused. A “local communities” shelf proved to be a random selection of Auburn, Hull, and Woburn…no Natick.

We did uncover a copy of the late Natick Rabbi Harold S. Kushner’s When Bad Things Happen to Good People stocked on the bottom shelf of the Personal Growth section. But no sign of books by Natick’s arguably most famous author, Horatio Alger, who in the mid-1800s authored over 300 novels about boys who rose from rags to riches through thrift and industry. His most well-known title: Ragged Dick. Alger spent most of his adult years in New York City, coming back occasionally to visit family. In his final years Alger returned to town in poor health, and died in Natick on July 18, 1899.

Barnes & Noble, Natick

David’s Bridal jilting Natick

David’s Bridal warned of mass layoffs in April and filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in four years, as it looks to sell the business.

Now it is closing stores, including the one in Natick’s Sherwood Plaza. The business doesn’t make it easy to find info about the closing on its website. One sign on the storefront refers to “Closing: This location only,” but stores in Danvers and North Dartmouth are also being shuttered as part of the company’s efforts to survive.

David's Bridal Sherwood Plaza

Hello kitties

No stop at Sherwood Plaza would be complete without saying hello to the fine kitties at Kitty City at Pet World.

Kitty City

Jesamondo add new manicurist to its rank and file

Sponsored content: Jesamondo welcomes Daysy Benavides as the newest talent to the salon and spa. Daysy brings more than 15 years of experience as a manicurist and reflexologist from Bella Sante, and the Jesamondo team looks forward to working with her. Daysy will be working at the 154 E Central St, Natick location Wednesday-Friday,  and select Saturdays and Sundays, 9am-5pm each day. Schedule your appointment online at https://jesamondo.com/  or call 508-907-7171.

Jesamondo, Natick

 

Jesamondo, Natick

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Filed Under: Books, Business, Shopping


Natick’s Community Cookbook needs your favorite recipes

June 6, 2023 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

You’re a great cook. Your family and friends know you’re a great cook. Now it’s time to let your community know by including one or more of your go-to recipes in the upcoming 150th Anniversary Community Cookbook. The fundraiser is being organized by the Morse Institute Library to celebrate its sesquicentennial. The deadline for submissions is August 25.

Morse Institute Library

How to submit a recipe to the 150th Anniversary Community Cookbook

Visit www.typensave.com

Hit the login prompt on the upper right-hand side of the site.

Type in username MAM1873

Type in password the password: blender852

Submit as many recipes as you like.

Not interested in submitting recipes online? Stop by the Morse Institute Library for a Recipe Collection Sheet if you prefer to use pen and paper. submit completed sheets to any service desk.

The deadline for submissions is August 25, 2023. The finished cookbook is expected to be available for purchase in fall 2023.

What kind of recipes are needed?

The goal is for this cookbook to reflect the entire Natick community, so recipes that celebrate the many cultures represented in Natick, as well as recipes submitted in languages other than English, are very welcome.

Here are the categories, that will likely serve as chapter headings in the finished book:

  • appetizers and beverages
  • soups and salads
  • vegetables and side dishes
  • main dishes
  • breads and rolls
  • desserts
  • cookies and candy
  • this and that

So far Natick Report has shared a Lentil Soup recipe, and we’re excited to see this family favorite as part of the cookbook. But don’t let us have all the fun. The Community Cookbook can’t be a success without lots of community involvement. Not just individuals can submit recipe(s)—your club, civic group, organization, business, etc., are encouraged to get involved. More than just a repository of recipes, The Community Cookbook is meant to be a snapshot in time of Natick, a useable document that expresses what the town’s culinary life looks like right now.

Looking back

The last (and only Morse Institute Cookbook, as far as the library staff is aware of) was produced as a fundraiser in 1989. In that book, the 1923 Purple and Gold Natick Women’s Club Cookbook was included as a full section.


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Please send news tips, photos, ideas to natickreport@gmail.com

Filed Under: Books, Charity/Fundraising, Food, Morse Institute Library



Curl up outside with a good book in Natick’s new Outdoor Reading Rooms

May 23, 2023 by Deborah Brown 3 Comments

In celebration of the Morse Institute Library’s 150th anniversary, the Town of Natick, the Morse Institute Library, and local artists have partnered to install and maintain two temporary Outdoor Reading Rooms on the front lawn of the Morse Institute Library.

Outdoor Reading Rooms are open-air ‘rooms’ where anyone may sit and read—no library card needed.

Take a look at the Outdoor Reading Room installations on the front lawn of the Morse Institute Library. No need to sequester yourself inside with a good book when there are welcoming spaces outside.

Natick Library, outdoor reading room

Natick Library, outdoor reading room

Natick Library, outdoor reading room

The Outdoor Reading Rooms will serve the community through the summer months.

This public art program is possible due to the generosity of Cognex and the New England Foundation for the Arts.


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Filed Under: Books, Morse Institute Library, Outdoors

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Morse Institute Library Book Sale in Natick, May 20 & 21

May 15, 2023 by Admin Leave a Comment

Stock up on your summer reading at The Friends of the Morse Institute book sale on Saturday, May 20, 8:30am-4:30pm and Sunday, May 21, noon-3pm at 14 E. Central St.  There will be thousands of books, and a selection of DVDs and CDs. Baked goods available for sale, too.

Morse Institute Library

What do the Friends do for you?

  • Sponsor passes to area museums
  • Sponsor the Speed Reads
  • Sponsor a range of library programs for all ages
  • Sponsor National Library Week program
  • Sponsor the Natick Days mini-golf event
  • Provide an annual gesture of appreciation to Library staff
  • Support the bookmobile with the purchase of large-print books
  • Provide Welcome Packets for new library patrons
  • Fund the self-checkout system
  • Purchase curbside materials return boxes
  • Help fund improvements to the Children’s and Teen rooms
  • Work with Library staff and Trustees on the Strategic Plan

Note: The library’s main elevator is out of service. A rear elevator is available only during regular library hours. Book sale shoppers who need an elevator should consider coming to the sale between 9am and 4:30pm on Saturday, and 1pm – 3pm on Sunday.

Outside of these hours, shoppers with mobility issues can bring their book shopping “wish list” to the Book Nook, and a volunteer will search for those titles.

EVENT: Friends of the Morse Institute Library book sale
WHEN: Saturday, May 20, 8:30am-4:30pm and Sunday, May 21, noon-3pm
LOCATION: Morse Institute Library, 14 E. Central Street, Natick


Please send tips, photos, ideas to natickreport@gmail.com

Filed Under: Books, Morse Institute Library

Natick weekend round-up—you can be all farms, all the time; get happy at intergenerational concert

May 12, 2023 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Farm Fest at Natick Community Organic Farm

Farm Fest 2023 will be held on May 13th. Here’s what to expect:

Natick Community Organic Farm, Natick

May 13—5K at Lookout Farm, 89 Pleasant Street. Run, jog or walk through the orchards and around their gorgeous property. The Greenhouse will open for brunch as the race finishes.

May 13 & 14—Annual Seedling Sale, where NCOF puts out some of the best organic vegetable and herb seedlings in the area. Members hours start at 9:30am, and the general public is welcome starting at 11:30am. No admission fee.

May 13, 11am—The whole farm will open up for Family Farm Day. Farm demonstrations, kids’ activities, live music, and food trucks.

Get happy at concert at Natick High School

Sound & Spirit will present an intergenerational concert, with a special tribute to mothers and caregivers, on May 13, 7pm & May 14, 2pm, at Natick High School.

Enjoy crowd-pleasers like the Kids Choir version of the Beatles classic “Ob-La-Di, Ob -La-Da” and a fierce rendering of Andy Frammee’s “Don’t Give Up On Me” by the Teens. The Adult Choir joins the fun with B.J.Thomas’ rollicking “Hooked on a Feeling”…with that iconic “ooga-chucka” backbeat. S&S also revels in big choral sings like Robert Lowry’s American Folk Classic “How Can I Keep From Singing.”  Tickets here.

Natick Farmer’s Market

The Natick Farmer’s Market is back to its outdoor setting on the Common with over 30 vendors, live music, and an all-around great vibe. Please leave your pets at home per Health Department regulations.

natick farmers market

DATE: Saturday, May 13 (and every Saturday, year-round)
TIME: 9am-1pm
LOCATION: Natick Common

Filed Under: Books, Charity/Fundraising

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