entering natick sign

entering natick sign
Wellesley Dental Studio

Natick Report

More than you really want to know about Natick, Mass.

  • Subscribe to daily email
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Eat
  • Schools
  • Summer Camp
  • Embracing diversity
  • Charities/Community
  • Arts
  • Kids
  • Top 10 things to do (under normal circumstances)
  • The Swellesley Report
  • COVID-19
Needham Bank, Natick

Natick Mall giving Aim Point airsoft rifle range a shot

January 7, 2021 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

With traditional retailers such as Lord & Taylor and Neiman Marcus abandoning Natick Mall, the Rte. 9 galleria has upped efforts to attract more interactive entertainment ventures: The latest to open is an indoor airsoft rifle shooting gallery dubbed Aim Point.

Through Aim Point’s storefront the view includes military imagery, assault rifle icons, and pump-you-up slogans like “Never Give Up!” Nestled between GameStop and Title City Barbers on the lower level of the mall, the indoor shooting range grabs your attention.

Aim Point
Aim Point: They’re hiring at Natick Mall

 

Natick Mall’s operator no doubt hopes Aim Point doesn’t grab the sort of attention that one at a Bethesda, Md.. mall got in December of 2019. The arcade was shut down within two months of opening, and another planned nearby was scrapped, after a gun rights-fueled battle erupted online among those in that area.

While the rifles used on an Aim Point range shoot plastic pellets, not bullets, those against the business operating at Maryland’s Montgomery Mall for those age 16-plus (those younger require adult accompaniment) felt having any sort of gun range inside a mall was tone deaf in light of past mass shootings. Those defending the arcade said it was just that, basically an indoor carnival game with imitation assault rifles used to shoot targets for $10 a game. The guns were tipped with orange to indicate they were fake and wired down to avoid anyone going rogue.

We’ve reached out to Natick Mall’s property management firm, Brookfield Properties, to ask about Aim Point.

There do appear to be a handful of Aim Point locations at other malls, such as in New Jersey, New York, and Virginia, but details beyond their location is scant on any of the mall websites.

As we learned when our young associate stopped by the Natick Mall’s Aim Point, the business purposely keeps a low profile online, relying on foot traffic and word of mouth within malls.

The employee our roving associate spoke with while visiting Aim Point said the business has been open for about a month and has attracted all sorts of people. A handful of players were in the relatively barebones and quiet venue at the time, where the employee indicated an abhorrence for actual gun violence and made note of other shooting games available at the mall, including in video game packages.

Our associate was offered a free round, so took advantage of the gift. He boasted of knocking down all of the targets during his debut, recalling a rewarding “ting, ting” sound when the pellets hit their mark.

Aim Point adds to a a growing line-up of interactive entertainment options at the mall. These include Dave & Buster’s, which is back in action after a pandemic break, and Level99, an immersive gaming extravaganza planning to open this year in conjunction with a Night Shift Brewing brewpub.

Adding to the list, Natick Mall plans to welcome an outfit called Manj Trampoline Park, based out of Waltham. No details yet on its arrival date, but the project has been significantly delayed due to COVID-19 reasons, according to the Mall.

In the past, the mall has been home to other interactive businesses, such as Glow Golf miniature golf.

If Aim Point is more your speed, it’s open for business. And they’re hiring.


More:  Subscribe to our Natick Report daily email

Filed Under: Business

Write Ahead
Linden Square, Wellesley
London Harness

Ten things to know about Natick’s Town election, 2021

January 7, 2021 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Ten things to know about the 2021 Natick Town election:

1) Mar. 30, 2021: Natick will hold its 2021 annual Town election

2) Tue., Jan 12, 2021, by 5pm: Last day to return nomination papers for town-wide office. A minimum of 25 signatures is needed. Nomination papers for Town wide offices and Town Meeting are now available in the Town Clerk’s Office. The Town Clerk’s office is open by appointment only. Call (508) 647-6430 x4 to arrange an appointment to pick up nomination papers.

Natick Town Hall

3) Natick will be electing the following Town wide officers:

  • One member to the Select Board for a 3-year term
  • Two members to the School Committee for a 3-year terms
  • One member to the Planning Board for a 5-year term
  • One member to the Board of Assessors for a 3-year term
  • One member to the Board of Health for a 3-year term
  • One member to the Recreation and Parks Commission for a 3-year term
  • One member to the Natick Housing Authority for a 5-year term
  • One member to the Morse Institute Library Trustees for a 2-year term
  • One Constable for a 1-year term

4) Natick’s Town Meeting consists of 180 members, with 18 representatives from each of Natick’s ten precincts.

5) The Town will be electing the following Town Meeting Members:

  • Precinct 1: Vote for 11 members
  • Precinct 2: Vote for 7 members
  • Precinct 3: Vote for 6 members
  • Precinct 4: Vote for 7 members
  • Precinct 5: Vote for 6 members
  • Precinct 6: Vote for 7 members
  • Precinct 7: Vote for 6 members
  • Precinct 8: Vote for 6 members
  • Precinct 9: Vote for 9 members
  • Precinct 10: Vote for 7 members

6) How to find out which precinct you’re in.

7) Tue., Feb. 2, 2021, 5pm. Last day for incumbent Town Meeting Members to give written notice to Town Clerk for re-election at the Annual Town Election

8) Tue., Feb. 9, 2021, 5pm: Last day to submit nomination papers for NEW Town Meeting Members. There must be a minimum of 10 signatures from voters in the candidate’s precinct.

9) Tue., Apr. 3, 2021: Town meeting begins. 7:30pm, at the Natick High School Auditorium.

10) More important dates can be found on the Natick Political Calendar.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Page Waterman, Wellesley

State bond bills could fund Natick commuter rail garages, TCAN & downtown support, education, infrastructure

January 6, 2021 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Transportation and economic bond bills approved by the Commonwealth’s legislature could bring some big improvements to Natick, including for bridge work, road infrastructure, commuter rail parking, and small business support. The bills provide authorization (not a commitment) to fund local projects, and await action by Gov. Charlie Baker.

Among the items in the $16.5B transportation bill, H.5248:
  • “provided further, that not less than $1,000,000 shall be expended on sidewalk and pedestrian safety improvements to state highway route 27 in the town of Natick;”

  • “provided further, that not less than $3,000,000 shall be awarded to the town of Natick for reconstruction and repair of the Boden Lane Bridge;”

boden lane bridge closed
Boden Lane Bridge
  • “provided further, that not less than $7,500,000 shall be awarded to the town of Natick for construction of a parking structure at the Natick Center Commuter Rail Station;”
  • “provided further, that not less than $7,500,000 shall be awarded to the town of Natick for construction of a parking structure at the West Natick Commuter Rail Station;”

  • provided further, that not less than $5,000,000 shall be expended to the town of Natick for reconstruction of the Route 27 and Route 9 Interchange;”

Among the items in the $626M economic development bill, H.5250:

  • “provided further, that not less than $500,000 be expended for a competitive grant program to be administered by the department of early education and care for licensed early education and care providers in the city of Attleboro and the towns of Franklin, Millis, Natick, Needham, Norfolk, North Attleborough, Plainville, Sherborn, Wayland, Wellesley and Wrentham for the purpose of defraying fixed operating costs and costs associated with modifications to early education and care services necessitated by the COVID-19 public health emergency to be awarded based on demonstrated financial need and current reopening status or future plans to reopen during the pandemic;
  • “provided further, that not less than $2,000,000 shall be expended for grants supporting small businesses and workforce development programs in the MetroWest region, including the cities of Framingham and Franklin and the towns of Ashland, Holliston, Hopkinton, Medway and Natick;”
  • “provided further, that not less than $500,000 shall be expended for the Natick Center Associates, Inc. for economic development in Natick center to assist in recovery from the combined effects of the 2019 fire and the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic;”

  • “provided further, that not less than $100,000 shall be expended to the Center for Arts in Natick, Inc. for revenue lost due to the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic;”

  • Download (PDF, 442KB)

    Download (PDF, 315KB)

Filed Under: Government

Natick small businesses score nearly $800K in state grants

January 6, 2021 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The Commonwealth has announced a new $67.4 million round of COVID-19 Small Business Grants, and 16 Natick businesses are among the mainly minority- and women-owned recipients. Among them are Oga’s Japanese Cuisine, management consulting firm ESS Analysis, and marketing and data analytics firm WebReply. Health care, professional service, and construction firms were also among recipients.

Oga's
Oga’s scored a $75K grant from the state

 

These awards follow an initial round of $49 million in grants, also for businesses hit by the pandemic, that included 11 Natick outfits.

The awards this time around go to 1,366 businesses, and for Natick companies, the grants range from $10,000 to $75,000 for a total of $785,000.

The grants are administered via the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation, which is also now accepting applications for a new Sector-Specific Small Business Relief Grant Program that will give preference to industries such as bars and restaurants, gyms, personal services, and more. The grants are to be used for payroll, rent, and other expenses.

natick grants


Subscribe to our free Natick Report daily email

Filed Under: Business, COVID-19, Government, Restaurants

Save the date: Martin Luther King Day 2021 activities in Natick, Massachusetts

January 5, 2021 by Admin Leave a Comment

MLK Day, Natick

Natick’s 16th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community (Virtual) Celebration

Everyone is invited to join the 16th Annual Natick MLK Day Community Celebration in recognition of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The program runs 10am – noon. Zoom and Pegasus links will be available closer to Jan. 18th. Here’s the breakdown:


Date: Jan. 18, 2021
Time: 10am-11am

Natick student performances and reflections
MLK Day Creative Contest winners from the Middle and High School
Interfaith Clergy representatives, local dignitaries, and community leaders
A keynote reflection  by The Rev. Dr. Gregory Groover, Pastor of the Historic Charles Street A.M.E. Church in Roxbury, MA


Date: Jan. 18, 2021
Time: 11am-noon

Special MLK Day activities for all ages will be offered by community partners (via Zoom links).

Filed Under: Community, Embracing diversity, Holidays, Volunteering

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • …
  • 75
  • Next Page »

Tip us off!

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

Wellesley Square

Wellesley Square

Jesamondo
Sexton Test Prep
Feldman Family Law
Fay School, Southborough

Categories

  • Animals
  • Art
  • Bacon Free Library
  • Beyond Natick
  • Books
  • Boston Marathon
  • Business
  • Camps
  • Charity/Fundraising
  • Churches
  • Community
  • Construction
  • Coronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Education
  • Election
  • Embracing diversity
  • Entertainment
  • Environment
  • Fashion
  • Firefighters
  • Food
  • Gardens
  • Government
  • Health
  • History
  • Holidays
  • Kids
  • Media
  • Morse Institute Library
  • Natick Historical Society
  • Natick track
  • Neighbors
  • Obituaries & remembrances
  • Outdoors
  • Police & crime
  • Real estate
  • Recycling Center
  • Religion
  • Restaurants
  • Schools
  • Seniors
  • Shopping
  • Sports
  • Theater
  • Transportation
  • Uncategorized
  • Veterans
  • Volunteering
  • Weather
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Get our email newsletter

* indicates required

Most Read Posts

  • Movie "I Care a Lot" filmed in Natick debuts on Netflix in February
  • Natick's boil water order lifted, no E. coli in new samples
  • These 9 Natick small businesses got $370K between them in state COVID-19 grants
  • Natick COVID-19 update: Town stays in the yellow, Health Dept in vaccine program for long run
  • Food drive on MLK Day to benefit Natick Service Council

Click image to read The Swellesley Report

The Swellesley Report

Events calendar

There are no upcoming events at this time.

© 2021 Natick Report
Site by Tech-Tamer · Login