News from our members
Gardner Announces Waiver of Restaurant Liquor License Fees For 2021
Move Aims to Help Businesses during the Covid-19 Pandemic
GARDNER – November 10th, 2020 – Gardner Mayor Michael J. Nicholson is pleased to announce the City of Gardner is suspending fees for liquor licenses for Gardner businesses that apply for on- premise consumption liquor licenses for the 2021 calendar year.
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, businesses across the City have been forced to adapt to a difficult and ever changing set of circumstances. This was particularly hard for businesses in the restaurant industry that had to close for a portion of the year due to regulations put in place to curb the spread of the virus. It is Mayor Nicholson’s hope to lessen the burden these businesses are facing by temporarily suspending food and liquor license fees.
“I would like to sincerely thank Mayor Nicholson for finding new ways for the City to help alleviate the small business crisis precipitated by the pandemic,” said Rick Walton, owner of Gardner Ale House and Moon Hill Brewing Company “For so many of us, the cash flow just isn’t there; waiving the liquor license fee helps a lot.”
Under Massachusetts General Laws, fees for liquor licenses are set by vote of the License Commission. This group of three individuals are appointed by the Mayor with approval by the City Council. Mayor Nicholson presented the commission with his proposed order suspending these fees for the coming year at their meeting on November 10th, and they voted unanimously to endorse the Mayor’s proposal.
“This has been a tough year for everyone in the City, particularly for our restaurants who had to close and then were only able to operate on a take-out basis for the majority of this past year. This has only been exacerbated by the cooler temperatures causing many locations to end their outdoor seating option” said Mayor Nicholson. “We are taking this move to help our local businesses get back on their feet and get through this pandemic even with the challenges that we are facing. Thank you to the License Commission for voting to approve this proposal, and I look forward to seeing how it can help our businesses during these trying times.”
Liquor license applications run annually with the calendar year with the License Commission voting to approve applications during the month of December. This proposal would only be in effect for the 2021 calendar year. “I think this is a great way for us to be able to help businesses who have been struggling,” Michael Fitzsimmons, chair of the Gardner License Commission said during the meeting.
Twenty-seven businesses in Gardner annually apply for liquor licenses- including restaurants, social clubs, cafes, and other food establishments across the City. This waiver does not extend for licenses for off- premise consumption, as those establishments were able to remain open during the COVID-19 shut down.
Wachusett Brewing Company launches new beer for the holidays to support Trees For Soldiers Project
“Holiday” Double IPA features 2020 Veterans Hop Blend by Yakima Chief Hops
“We are so honored to be a part of this project”, said Valerie Brock, Director of Fermentation at Wachusett Brewing Company and a former Sargent in the Army National Guard. “The 2020 blend features five different hops from the Pacific Northwest including Idaho 7, HBC 692, Sabra, Mosaic, and HBC 630 that will give this Double IPA great tropical fruit aromatics and a wonderful citrus profile”.
“Since 2010, it has been our privilege to show our support toward our local US Servicemen, women, and their families by providing Christmas trees at no charge, and to be a conduit for others in our community to show their appreciation as well, for our hero’s. We are honored to have been chosen to participate in the roll out of the Wachusett Brewing Company’s new IPA, and grateful for their support toward our program. We could not ask for a better way to kick off our 10th year of giving!” said Joe Firmani, Operation Service Director.”
Holiday Double IPA will be released the week of November 9th on tap at all 3 Wachusett Brew Yards in Westminster, Worcester, and the newly opened Cambridge location and in 16oz cans in Westminster only. A portion of the proceeds at every location will go directly to the Trees For Soldiers Project.
For more information about Wachusett Brewing Company, visit www.wachusettbrew.com
About Wachusett Brewing Company
WBC produces a diverse, award-winning line of beers ranging from their best-selling Blueberry Ale to their highly-rated Wally New England IPA series.
John W. Reedy, appointed to Leominster Credit Union Board of Directors
Prior to his appointment to the board, Reedy has served on the LCU Advisory Committee and also as an LCU Board member from 1999 to 2011.
“John will be a great addition to the Leominster Credit Union Board of Directors. His skills, involvement with the Advisory Board and his experience as a prior Board Member will be a valuable asset to our community and our members,” stated Chairman of the Board Giulio Greco.
Reedy is a Certified Public Accountant in Harvard, MA and a graduate of University of Scranton, PA. He is involved with the Woodlands Homeowners Association as part of their Finance Committee and the Treasurer of the Clinton Republican Town Committee. Reedy currently resides in Clinton, MA with his wife Helen.
Fidelity Bank Allocates $45,000 over 3 years to Partnership with EforAll
EforAll is a nonprofit that focuses on helping all individuals start a business with an emphasis on women, people of color, immigrants, and people who were previously unemployed. “Fidelity Bank is a leader in the business community in Worcester, Fitchburg and North Central Massachusetts,” says John Esler, Founding Committee Chair for E for All’s Greater Worcester program. “With their help, we will be able to reach and mentor a larger group of entrepreneurs who want to start a business.” Applications for the first Greater Worcester Business Accelerator program are due November 12 and the first class will start in January of 2021. Entrepreneurs selected for the 12-month free program receive immersive business training, dedicated mentorship, and access to a professional network. In addition to providing financial support, selected Fidelity Bank colleagues will serve as mentors.
Since it was founded ten years ago, EforAll has helped launch more than 500 startup businesses that have created more than 700 local jobs. Among the businesses started by EforAll participants, 74 percent are owned by women, 58 percent are owned by people of color, 46 percent are owned by immigrants and 39 percent are owned by people who were previously unemployed. They are on track to help start 240 new businesses in the next year including 30 in Greater Worcester.
Fidelity Bank’s financial support for EforAll comes from the Fidelity Bank LifeDesign Community Dividend, which donated more than $330,000 to more than 250 worthy organizations in Central Massachusetts last year. Fidelity Bank has given out more than $2 million since the dividend program was formally named in 2013.
Founded in 1888, Fidelity Bank is one of the strongest independent community banks in Central and Eastern Massachusetts. Fidelity Bank’s unique LifeDesign approach to banking provides the care and clarity needed to make informed decisions with confidence. The Bank offers a range of personal and business banking solutions to clients in 14 full-service offices in Leominster, Worcester, Fitchburg, Needham, Gardner, Stow, Shirley, Barre, Millbury, Paxton, Princeton, and Winchendon. Fidelity Bank has been voted Worcester Telegram & Gazette Best Bank in Central Massachusetts and Best Financial Services, Best Bank by both Leominster Champion and Baystate Parent, and it has been recognized by the Worcester Business Journal as a Top Workplace. In 2019 Fidelity Bank was named to the Boston Globe’s Top Places to Work list for the fifth time. As of September 30, 2020, the bank had total assets of approximately $1.15 billion. For more information, visit www.fidelitybankonline.com or www.facebook.com/fidelitybankma
About EforAll
Entrepreneurship for All (EforAll) is a nonprofit organization that partners with communities nationwide to help under-represented individuals successfully start and grow a business through intensive business training, mentorship, and an extended professional support network. To date, EforAll alumni have launched more than 500 businesses and created more than 700 local jobs. Programs are available in both English and Spanish. EforAll is currently available in the following MA communities: Berkshire County, Cape Cod, Fall River/New Bedford, Worcester, Holyoke, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, and Roxbury as well as Longmont CO. To learn more about EforAll, please visit eforall.org.
NEADS Launches Virtual Marketplace – a One-Stop Shop for Goods that Give Back
Princeton, MA, November 5, 2020 – NEADS World Class Service Dogs launched its virtual NEADS Market for the holidays. The NEADS Market is a one-stop shop that features a curated mix of creative and unique products from local makers, artists, and designers including:
- Handmade gifts and designer wares,
- Candles, soaps, throws, pillows, and other home goods
- Bracelets, necklaces, and other jewelry,
- Dog treats, toys, leashes, collars, and other accessories
- Men’s and women’s clothes and accessories
Thanks to the generosity of participating vendors, 15% of all purchases go to support NEADS World Class Service Dogs.
“Since 2015, NEADS has hosted Get Dressed. Give Back, a cocktail reception fundraiser that included pop up shops offering a unique and varied selection of clothing, jewelry, and items for the home from local designers and boutiques. Although it looks a little different this year, we’ve brought the same concept to our online market – a unique, curated mix of products from local businesses and other specialty vendors,” says Cathy Zemaitis, NEADS Director of Development. “By moving the market online, we can expand our reach to people across the country, showcase local businesses and specialty vendors, and support our mission of changing lives, one World Class Service Dog at a time.”
Visit the NEADS Market at https://market.neads.org.
About NEADS Inc.
NEADS Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in Princeton, Massachusetts. Established in 1976, NEADS offers the widest array of Service Dog programs in the industry, including Service Dogs for adults and children with a physical disability, Service Dogs for veterans, Service Dogs for Hearing, and Service Dogs for children with autism or other developmental disabilities. NEADS dogs are also partnered with professionals in classroom, therapy, hospital, ministry, and courthouse settings. For more information, please visit neads.org.
QB1 Mentality partnership helps quarterbacks in Africa
Local company QB1 Mentality and American Football for African Mission (AFFAM) are excited to announce a partnership that will be pivotal for quarterback development in Africa. This venture will give opportunities to deserving youth athletes that were not possible prior.
Technology is playing an increasingly critical role in every aspect of business in the current landscape. This partnership brings together deep skills in quarterback development and technology in hopes to create a new avenue of success for our friends in Africa.
“Partnering with AFFAM to help expand the game of football and develop quarterback play in Africa is a dream come true,” said Christian Lopez, CEO of QB1 Mentality and quarterback/defensive back coach at Leominster High School. “Together, working as one team, we will unlock the full potential of as many quarterbacks as possible, while assisting them on the best path for their success.”
QB1 Mentality and the AFFAM are both very excited for this new journey and to expand more opportunities to young athletes.
Golden Girl Receives International Granola Flavor Award
place in the “Granola” category at the 2020 Artisan Flave Awards. Organized by the International Flavor Awards LLC, the competition included specialty, craft-made artisan granola
companies from around the world. Golden Girl Granola’s Forest Maple flavor received excellent reviews on an international stage to become a Flave Award winner. Last year Golden Girl Granola’s Chocolate Decadence was the third-place winner among the world’s best.
The Flave Awards is an annual premiere culinary competition providing small to medium sized businesses an opportunity to showcase their original products and be recognized for their talents. As an organization, the International Flavor Awards provides impartial and knowledgeable judging of food and beverage products throughout a variety of genres and themes. Businesses from Europe, Australia, North and South America submitted their products in the international competition. Those who receive awards set themselves apart by being known as a “Flave Award Winner.”
“We are honored to receive this award and recognition for our Forest Maple granola.” said Deborah O’Kelly, owner of Golden Girl Granola. “The Flave Awards is a great competition that features some of the best artisan food products in the world. We are thrilled that our granola is once again recognized for its quality.”
About Golden Girl Granola:
Golden Girl Granola™ is a family-owned and -operated business located in Shirley, Massachusetts that produces a branded line of gourmet granola products superior in taste and made from the highest-quality ingredients. Golden Girl Granola is a “Healthy Snack” alternative for health-conscious consumers who appreciate good taste. Flavors include Forest Maple, Creative Cranberry, Bluesberry, Chocolate Decadence, Original, Home Sweet Honey, and Truly Tropical. Golden Girl Granola offers the complete line nationwide for chain supermarkets, independent supermarkets, gourmet food stores, club stores and convenience stores.
Fidelity Bank – Being Smart about Cyber Security
COVID-themed phishing attacks are up 3,000% from early March to early June 2020
Join us for a FREE webinar via Cisco Webex.
Thursday, October 29 | 8:30am
Am I at risk? The short answer is yes, no one is safe from attackers. Cyber threats are on the rise. Small businesses
are at just as much risk as large organizations. We will have a conversation about why small businesses are at risk and what you can do to help reduce the risk of a cyber-attack.
Topics will include:
Current Trends
Phishing
Office 365 & Associated Risks
Technology Vendor Selections
Importance of Internal Policy & Procedures
Moderated by Brad Kirlin, SVP Chief Technology Officer
Registration Link: fidelitybankonline.com/cyber
For questions, contact Sherri Pitcher: Banking LifeDesign®