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Natick businesses reopening, wining & dining you outside

June 9, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The mystery surrounding the start of Phase 2 of the Massachusetts reopening plan has been solved: It officially was Monday, June 8. Now retailers can let a limited number of people in and restaurants can begin offering outdoor dining.

We swung by Natick Mall on Monday early afternoon and had plenty of room to maneuver. But shoppers had started to brave the squeaky clean stores, including Journeys, Macy’s and others. You really didn’t have to try too hard to socially distance though.

Natick Mall

 

Natick Mall

 

Natick Mall

 

Natick Mall

Natick Mall

The Mall is open 11am-7pm Monday-Saturday and noon-6pm on Sunday. Success will depend on both retailers and shoppers playing by the new rules: “New measures have been implemented to help ensure the health and safety for all who enter the Mall, including hand-sanitizing stations, touch-free interactions, frequent and intense cleanings and social distancing directions.”

Some typical services, like play areas and stroller rentals, are off-limits for now.

Eating out

As for restaurants, Natick officials are looking to grease the skids to help eateries offer outdoor dining, and serve alcohol, perhaps in creative ways for those that don’t currently have much in the way of outdoor territory. Discussion took place at Monday’s Board of Selectmen meeting, where James Freas, director of community & economic development, discussed a 4-step process to handle incoming applications. Those requiring expanded alcohol licensing would be brought before the Board of Selectmen each week. Four applications had already made their way to Freas as of this past Monday.

The Board wondered about whether Natick Common might be in play, and it is, though the logistical challenges (the intersection, restaurants aren’t located right on it), would make its use probably very temporary.

The focus is more on the downtown grid of streets, where accommodations for expanded outdoor dining and drinking could be allowed on sidewalks, streets and parking lanes if coordinated. A transportation design team has been hired to help the town sort this out. Freas says town officials want such space to be allocated fairly and safely, and to be attractive, so as to draw in those who might otherwise be unsure of venturing back into the world. The town will try some things, and change them up if they aren’t working, said Freas, who repeatedly emphasized this is all temporary.

BoS member Karen Adelman-Foster said “The prospect of trying out some tactical suburbanism is a cool one,” and could bode well for future creative use of public space. Freas concurred that this sort of experimentation is a key part of the process.

As we’ve reported, Lookout Farm has big plans to shake up its dining and drinking layout beyond the Taproom and other small venues on its property. The BoS approved the plans during its Monday meeting, and next up with fire inspection of the grilling area.

Among the first to announce its Phase 2 plans was Buttercup, which reopened for outdoor dining on Tuesday, June 9 from 4:30-9pm, and will offer this service Tuesdays-Saturdays. Take-out and pickup are available 12-8pm Tuesday-Saturday.

buttercup outside dining

Morse Tavern hopped right on the opportunity to offer patio dining on Monday and had a good crowd, albeit with forced space between parties. You’ll need to call to make reservations.

Morse Tavern patio

Ziti’s, too, says it’s ready for outdoor seating.

Among others looking to get permission for outdoor dining: Frescafe, which re-opened for curbside and take-out this past week at its Rte. 135 location.

Feel free to keep us posted on your business’s reopening plans or plans for expanded services: natickreport@gmail.com

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Well, we’d say @frescafe in #Natick is open… #reopening #restaurant #signs #food

A post shared by Natick Report (@natickreport) on Jun 4, 2020 at 11:22am PDT


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Filed Under: Business, Restaurants, Shopping



Natick postpones Flag Day ceremony, encourages residents to display flags

June 9, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Flag Day, celebrated nationally on June 14, is a ceremonial time when a community collects worn and damaged flags from residents, area cemeteries, and those in use in local government capacities for appropriate disposal.

It’s a duty that Natick Director of Veteran Services and Korean War veteran Paul Carew takes seriously. But he also takes the need for social distancing during a time of pandemic seriously, and has decided this year to postpone the usual controlled burn that is a centerpiece of the flag retirement ceremony.

Wilson Middle School, Natick flag

“Every year there are a lot of groups involved in Natick for Flag Day,” Carew said. “The Natick Elks Club is involved, and the Amvets Post by Lake Cochituate is there. Scouts troops are always involved too, and it’s just a great educational experience for them and a great way to keep Flag Day going.”

Carew hopes that Natick residents and businesses will bring to Flag Day the same spirit they brought to Memorial Day. With no Memorial Day parade through town or service on the Common this year Carew, in partnership with a committee, challenged residents to display flags in their windows.

“I hope residents will do this again, for Flag Day this time,” Carew said. He suggests that the flags be drawn by children or grandchildren or a talented adult.

Of course, displaying American flags outside on flag poles or hanging horizontally or vertically on a wall is always appropriate on Flag Day or at other times. Here are the guidelines for doing so.

A date for a postponed ceremony in Natick is to be announced. “We will be doing something,” Carew said. “We just have to wait until we can get others together.”

MORE:

Memorial Day ceremony in Natick Center, 2020

Natick war memorials tour

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Natick’s Lookout Farm to float big new dining & drinking plans at BoS meeting

June 8, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Update: (6/13/20). Our review of The Lookout at Lookout Farm.

(Update: (6/10/20). The Board of Selectmen approved the expanded alcohol delivery service area by the farm on 6/8/20 at its meeting. All that was left was for the fire department to approve the grilling area, and it looks like Lookout Farm’s wishes will be granted. 

The Natick Board of Selectmen plans to discuss its permit process for temporary outdoor dining at Monday night’s board meeting. At first we thought the most intriguing part was this: “The Town will lead the effort to establish use of public spaces in Downtown Natick for Temporary Outdoor Dining.”

But then we saw that Lookout Farm is on the agenda, too, looking for an expansion of its outdoor licensed premises. As it turns out, the farm is looking to change things up significantly and has a letter of recommendation dated June 5 from the town’s Director of Community & Economic Development, James Freas.

Lookout Farm is pledging on its Facebook page an “amplified drinking experience featuring OUTDOOR dining” come June 12.

The 180-acres farm looks to consolidate eating and drinking operations, which have included the taproom, Peach Pit and other venues, near its U-barn in a space not to exceed 400 seats dubbed The Lookout. The operation would be integrated with the orchard to provide part of Lookout Farm’s overall “agri-tourism” experience, sunsets, walking trails, fruit trees, and all. Selling points include a spacious enough area to allow 100 square feet per guest, triple that of its current venues.

The farm also pledges to provide a highly sanitized operation, with online reservations and paths between facilities designed to avoid guests cross-crossing one another. If Lookout Farm’s Operations Manager Jay Mofenson gets his way, the farm would be offering eating and dining services 7 days a week starting at noon, hopefully June-October.

In its letter to the BoS, Lookout Farm paints a bleak picture of its future under current conditions—farm operational expenses of $200K per month and revenue but a trickle—unless it can greatly enhance its eating and drinking operations. Even if it could re-open the indoor taproom, doing so profitably would not be possible under social distancing guidelines, Mofenson says.

Lookout Farm Taproom

 

In a letter dated May 18 to the Board of Selectmen, Mofenson even goes here: “We believe that these operational pivots further enhance the farm experience and short of residential development, is our best chance to generate the essential revenue needed to survive.”

Mofenson also plays the history card in his pitch:

“Lookout Farm and the town of Natick have a symbiotic relationship and shared interest in maintaining the farm as an operational agricultural property. Farming since 1651, Lookout Farm is a very special part of our shared community and with your support, I believe we have a solid plan to redefine ourselves for a successful future.”

Mofenson writes to the BoS that: “Our team is confident that we can successfully adapt to the ‘new normal’ and create a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience for our guests.”

If the town bites, this will be a new normal indeed.

Download (PDF, 507KB)

Filed Under: Business, Restaurants

Saluting Natick High’s senior cross country and track & field athletes

June 8, 2020 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

We’ll never know what heights the Natick High School girls track & field team might have reached this spring due to the cancellation of their season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But based on the accomplishments of NHS cross country and track & field student-athletes over the past four years, there no doubt would have been plenty of highlights.

Senior Caroline Fleming, a NHS cross country and track & field competitor who heads to Boston College after graduating, has made the following video as a memoir and salute to her senior teammates.

Below is a list of those who plan to compete in college.

Gabby Pagnini: UMass Amherst—NCAA Divison I—Throws
Caroline Fleming: Boston College—NCAA Division I—Mid-Distance/Distance
Sophia Kovastis: Dickinson College—NCAA Divison III—Hurdles
Genna Girard: Williams College—NCAA Division III—Distance
Kylie Langan: Assumption College—NCAA Divison II—Sprints
Ashley Warren: Stonehill College—NCAA Divison II—Sprints
Camilla Samuel: Tufts University—NCAA Division III—Jumps

Highlights of their contributions over the past four years include:

  • 2018 All-State Cross Country Champions (fantastic performance on a snowy course)
  • 2018 Division 2 EMASS Cross Country Champions
  • 2018, 2019 undefeated Cross Country BayState Herget (2 years in a row 9-0)
  • 2019 Divison 2 EMASS Indoor Track Runner-Up
  • 2019 Divison 1 EMASS Outdoor Track Champions
  • 2019 All-State Outdoor Track Runner-Up
  • 2020 Division 2 State Relays Runner Up
  • 2020 Divison 2 EMASS Indoor State Meet Runner Up

Filed Under: Schools, Sports

Feast & Fettle offers elegant at-home dining for Natick residents

June 7, 2020 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

No need to make a reservation or wait for a table. 

Feast & Fettle’s Executive Chef Maggie is here to help you enjoy the ultimate fine dining experience — right at home. 

After years of providing meals to busy families through her meal delivery service, Feast & Fettle, Chef Maggie has launched a new collection of menus called F&F Select. 

Available for delivery on Fridays, F&F Select menus include upscale, prix fixe courses designed to be enjoyed at home. The menu changes biweekly and consists of several options to build your own prix fixe dinner. 

Each item also comes with Maggie’s specific plating instructions, so you can serve your dishes in a true high-end fashion. 

Delivery is free and the order deadline is every Tuesday at noon, for delivery the upcoming Friday. The service is available in Wellesley and all its surrounding towns (Weston, Wayland, Newton, Needham, Natick, Brookline), as well as all of Rhode Island.

View the FAQ page to learn more about F&F select and place your order now.

Feast & Fettle Select

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Filed Under: Business, Food

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