Thursday, June 25, 2015

Thank You Eileen, Beautification Sponsors & Volunteers

The flowers planted by Partnership and Franklin Garden Club volunteers in May have bloomed beautifully this spring. 

Beautification Chair Eileen Mason and the new Sponsors signs on the downtown bridge. 
We want to thank Eileen Mason, our Beautification chairperson, and our sponsors for creating and maintaining these welcoming displays. 

Thank you Gold Sponsor D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, Silver Sponsors Franklin Ford and Middlesex Savings Bank, and Bronze Sponsor Simon's Furniture

And a special thanks to Cam of Signs by Cam for creating the wonderful signage. 

Do you want to sponsor our beautification efforts? Contact Eileen at emason11@verizon.net for more information. Or click here to see our Sponsorship Opportunities form



Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Downtown Streetscape Project Update #5

This week's update from Town Administrator Jeff Nutting. Please contact Maxine Kinhart, Assistant to the Town Administrator, if you have any questions.  


June 23, 2015

Downtown Project Update #5


The binder course (base coat) will be put down on Summer Street on July 1 or 2 depending on the weather. 

The binder course will be put down on High Street and Main Street from Pleasant to School Street during the same time period. 

Main Street at Church Square, Monday, June 22.
High Street on Monday, June 22.

They will begin replacing the Emmons Street sidewalk at the end of this week or next week. 

Work at the corner of Emmons and West Central Street (old municipal building) will commence next week, including the installation of the traffic light bases. 
The period lighting bases installation will continue over the summer at several locations. 

The sidewalk reconstruction of West Central Street will begin mid to late July. 

If anyone has a question please feel free to reach out to the DPW Director, Brutus Cantoreggi or Town Engineer, Michael Maglio at 508-553-5500 or Maxine at 508-520-4949.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Happy Father's Day

We wish all the fathers out there a relaxing and enjoyable day!



Friday, June 19, 2015

Lady Bug Trek Story in Milford Daily News

The Milford Daily News ran this story last week about Franklin's Lady Bug Trek Scavenger Hunt. The Trek is happening now - be sure to download the app! 




Franklin businesses launch Lady Bug Trek scavenger hunt
By Heather McCarronhmccarron@wickedlocal.com  

  • FRANKLIN -- A mobile app-assisted scavenger hunt through more 
    than a dozen small Franklin businesses is getting underway today, 
    Friday, June 12 and will continue through the end of the month.

    The Lady Bug Trek is the first collaborative activity of the recently
    formed Franklin Small Shop Co-op, featuring special offers from 
    participating businesses and a chance at a grand prize of $1,100 
    in gift cards.

    "We created the Small Shop Co-op for small businesses to
    collaborate, so this was sort of born out of that," said Tracie 
    Turinese, co-owner of The Cake Bar in downtown Franklin.


    A total of 15 businesses are part of the fun, including Franklin
    Liquors, Franklin Yoga & Wellness, Salon Sorella, Making Whoopie, 
    Emmas Quilt Cupboard, Mac Deli, The Cake Bar, Hillside Nurseries 
    & Farm, Elizabeth's Bagels, Terrazza, Pretty is Pink, NHS Printing, 
    Daddario Hardware, Franklin Art Center and Jane's Frames.


    "We are partnering with the City Trek folks," said Turinese. "They
    are providing the smart phone app that will allow people to 
    participate in the scavenger hunt."


    She explained that the hunt involves simply downloading the app 
    for free atladybug.citytrek.com -- the app is for Android and iOS 
    phones and tablets. Then they visit the various businesses in 
    search of clues. There is one clue at each location. For example, 
    The Cake Bar might prompt visitors to find the name of the 
    owners' favorite cupcake in the artwork on display in the shop.


    Hunters "have to come in to solve the clue and they type the
    answer into the Smart Phone app, and then they get coupons and 
    prizes for that particular business," Turinese explained. "They do 
    that with all 15 of the businesses. And then, depending on how 
    many clues they get right, they get more and more chances to 
    win the grand prize, which is 1,100 in business gift cards."

    She said the Lady Bug Trek is "meant to just be fun."
    "You don't have to buy something when you come in. It’s nothing
     like that, though obviously that would be great," Turinese said.


    The idea is to let people get to know some of the town's small
    businesses and, hopefully, keep them in mind when shopping or 
    seeking services in the future.


    Turinese is excited about the hunt and hopes people download
     and play.

    "Ultimately, it’s fun for the people who participate," she said,
     "and it’s a promotion for all the businesses that participate."



Wednesday, June 17, 2015

'Shop Local' Press Release


The Franklin Downtown Partnership wants to remind everyone to shop locally during the downtown Franklin roadway and streetscape improvement project.
The Partnership is working with the Town of Franklin to communicate construction updates in an effort to help residents get around downtown more easily. The FDP is also collaborating with local groups like the Small Shop Co-Op, the #ShopFranklin - Supporting Small Business Facebook group, and WMRC First Class Radio to help encourage residents to shop locally.
“If you have a favorite business or restaurant, please make that extra effort to visit them frequently. Traffic issues, like the harsh winter, can affect a business’s bottom line. It’s important that we all be patient with the process and help these businesses thrive,” says Partnership President Nicole Fortier.
When the streetscape construction is finished, residents will see two-way traffic, improvements designed to slow traffic and increase pedestrian safety, and aesthetic improvements like plantings, greenspace and new lighting.
The FDP will help communicate the Town of Franklin’s construction updates about parking, alternate routes and road closures on its website, franklindowntownpartnership.org, and on its Twitter feed and Facebook page.
“The Partnership is also collaborating with local groups to help encourage people to shop locally. There are several great promotions and ‘shop local’ efforts happening in Franklin this spring, and we will help get the word out about them. Businesses are working very hard to earn and keep your business,” says Lisa Piana, the Downtown Partnership’s executive director.
One example of that collaboration is the Small Shop Co-Op, created by The Cake Bar co-owners Tracie Turinese and Angie McMillan. The co-op recently launched the Lady Bug Trek scavenger hunt. Using a smartphone app, shoppers will visit participating local businesses and compete to win prizes.
“We are all working toward making this construction process go as smoothly as possible for our businesses and residents. The Streetscape project is a key component to the revitalization of downtown Franklin, which the Downtown Partnership has been working toward since 2001. Ultimately a strong downtown is good for the whole community,” adds Piana.


Friday, June 12, 2015

Thank You For a Great Strawberry Stroll

Thursday's 13th annual Strawberry Stroll was a sweet success! Nearly one thousand people came to downtown Franklin to enjoy the warmth (89 degrees F), good company, delicious treats, toe-tapping entertainment, sidewalk sales and the Partnership's Famous Strawberry Shortcakes! Thank you everyone for spending time in downtown Franklin.


Many thanks to our sponsors who helped us make this all possible.

Platinum Sponsor: Dean Bank
(Special thanks to Nicole and Jen for co-chairing the event!)

Gold Sponsors:
Dean College
SolarFlair Energy

Silver Sponsor: Digital Credit Union

Bronze Sponsors: Chestnut Dental Associates, Franklin Ford, Franklin Health & Rehabilitation Center, Keefe Insurance Agency, Middlesex Savings Bank and The Estate at Franklin.

Friends of the Festival Sponsors: Garelick Farms, Jane's Frames, LeafFilter Gutter Protection, Nexamp and Simon's Furniture.

Thanks also to our volunteers who sliced strawberries, baked shortcakes, and handled the setup and cleanup. Last but not least, thank you Franklin DPW and the Franklin Police Department for your help. 

Here are a sampling of photos from the event. There are many more photos in the slideshow (to the right) and on our Facebook page. More photos will be posted here on our website in the days to come.




















Thursday, June 11, 2015

2015 Strawberry Stroll Participating Businesses Handout

More than 40 businesses are participating in this afternoon's 13th annual Strawberry Stroll!

Thank you to our many sponsors for helping us present this afternoon's event!

You can pick up a copy of this handout this afternoon at a participating vendor or click here to download and print a copy.






Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Downtown Streetscape Project Update #4

The latest update from Town Administrator Jeff Nutting

June 9, 2015

Downtown Project Update #4

The expected work over the next two weeks will involve sidewalk work on Main Street from Emmons up to Pleasant Street, except the sidewalk next to the Town Common and sidewalk work on Emmons Street between Main and West Central Street.


The view of Main Street from High to Pleasant. The sidewalk along the Common will remain while the sidewalk on the opposite side of the street will be under construction soon. 


The contractor plans to start road work between Main and Pleasant Street including High Street on or after June 15th.
Further he expects to start sidewalk work on West Central Street between Emmons and Union Street on both sides and the sidewalk along West Central Street on the Fire Station side.

The sidewalk on the other side of West Central will be done after all the old utility poles have been removed.

The specific dates for the above mentioned work may vary depending on weather and crew availability

If anyone has a question please feel free to reach out to the DPW Director, Brutus Cantoreggi or Town Engineer Michael, Maglio at 508-553-5500 or my office at 508-520-4949.



2015 Strawberry Stroll Map

Pick up a copy at participating businesses the day of the Strawberry Stroll or download and print a copy here

Thank you Franklin Local Town Pages for creating this great map!




Monday, June 8, 2015

Strawberry Stroll is Thursday!

Join us in Downtown Franklin from 4 - 7 p.m.

Sample delicious food
           Browse through our shops
                       Learn about the Ladybug Trek Scavenger Hunt
                                  Enjoy juicy, delicious Strawberry Shortcakes 
                                              Discover new businesses

Parking is FREE downtown for the event. 


Click here to read our 2015 Strawberry Stroll press release




Thursday, June 4, 2015

Member Announcements: Alumni, Chinese Mirch, Curtis P. Patalano CPA, LLC

New Members


Welcome The Alumni Restaurant and Bar, located at 391 East Central Street. This family friendly spot offers a varied menu (and delicious roast beef sandwiches), live entertainment, and a function room. To top it off, kids eat free on Sundays. Check out their website, http://www.alumnirestaurantandbar.com, or follow them on Facebook.



Welcome also Chinese Mirch, 30 Main Street (previously Guru). Chinese Mirch specializes in Hakka Chinese and Indian cuisine. According to their website, "Loosely translated Chinese Mirch means spicy Chinese food." They also offer a kids-eat-free deal. For more information go to www.ChineseMirch.com, or find them on Facebook



Welcome to the Offices of Curtis P. Patalano

New member Curtis P. Patalano CPA, LLC is located at 137 School Street. The firm offers affordable, high-quality legal and accounting services, as well as free notary services. For more information go to www.patalano.com.




Tuesday, June 2, 2015

June 4 General Meeting Agenda


Franklin Downtown Partnership GENERAL Meeting Agenda
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Dean College Campus Center @ 8:30 am
Golder Room

  1. Open Meeting
  2. Adoption of Agenda

  1. Introductions

  1. Town Updates - Jeff Nutting

  1. Streetscape Project & Town Updates - Jeff Nutting
-Timeline and Traffic Details

  1. Update from Executive Director - Lisa Piana
  1. Strawberry Stroll - Nicole Fortier
           -Map and Participation Handout

  1. Networking Committee - Dave Drucker, Gary Donelan  
  1. New Business
  1. Adjourn  

Next General Meetings:  
NO August meeting
September 3 
November 5

Monday, June 1, 2015

2015 Strawberry Stroll Press Release


The Franklin Downtown Partnership will serve up sweet, juicy, whipped cream-topped strawberry shortcakes at the 13th annual Franklin Strawberry Stroll on Thursday, June 11. The event will happen throughout downtown Franklin from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., rain or shine.

“The Strawberry Stroll was the first event the Downtown Partnership organized to bring the community together in the heart of downtown. In the past 13 years the event has grown but our mission has stayed the same – to give people a fun way to meet up with friends, discover new downtown businesses and create more engagement,” says Nicole Fortier, event chairperson.

“Especially this year we want to remind everyone to visit, shop and dine out downtown because of the road construction project. We won’t let a little roadwork get in the way of a good party,” she added.

Volunteers will slice up more than 160 quarts of ripe strawberries to top nearly 700 shortcakes. Dozens of cases of whipped cream will top off the Stroll’s signature desserts, which will be served up outside Dean Bank on Main Street.

More than 25 local businesses have strawberry or spring-themed specials, food items, giveaways, face painting and kids’ activities planned for the afternoon. For example, the Historical Museum invites visitors to browse the Horace Mann exhibit while enjoying punch and cookies.

A complete list of happenings will be available at the Stroll and on the FDP website, franklindowntownpartnership.org, and its Facebook page.

Along with sweet treats and activities, the Stroll promises great local entertainment. Music Odyssey Productions DJ Domenic Cotoia will entertain crowds browsing the booths in the Main Street parking lot. Jane’s Frames is sponsoring Jamie Barrett with his guitar, and a talented lineup of Franklin High School musicians will perform at The Cake Bar. Kevin Wolfe is set to perform at Pisini Shoes.

Generous sponsors make the Strawberry Stroll possible. The Platinum Sponsor for his event is Dean Bank. Gold Sponsors are Dean College and SolarFlair, and the Silver Sponsor is DCU. Bronze Sponsors include Chestnut Dental Associates, Franklin Ford, Franklin Health & Rehabilitation Center, Keefe Insurance Agency, Middlesex Savings Bank and The Estate at Franklin. Friends of the Festival Sponsors are Garelick Farms, Jane’s Frames, LeafFilter Gutter Protection, Nexamp and Simon’s Furniture.


Sponsorship opportunities are still available for this popular event. If interested, contact FDP Executive Director Lisa Piana at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is a nonprofit, 501©3 organization made up of business owners, community leaders and residents working together to stimulate economic development downtown and create a positive impact throughout the area. The FDP runs the annual Strawberry Stroll, Harvest Festival and Holiday Stroll, and is involved in economic development, beautification, streetscape and greenspace design, and networking initiatives. The FDP currently has over 200 members and welcomes all businesses and residents. For more information, go to www.franklindowntownpartnership.org.