"SMAMS" is a non-profit corporation powered by dedicated volunteer residents and merchants. We work to revitalize our business district on Dorchester Avenue, from Ashmont Station to just south of Fields Corner. By working with the City of Boston and the National Main Street Center, we are participating in a citywide and nationwide revitalization of local business districts. (We are not a religious organization. We take our name from the neighborhood we serve, which is named after the local historic parish.) We welcome new members, so please take look around - if you like what you see, please vist the Membership page for information on joining. Or call us anytime at 617-825-3846.
Summer Wine Tasting Fundraiser (8/4/2008)
Thanks to all who turned out for our Summer Wine tasting at the Ashmont Grill on August 2! Proceeds will help to fund SMAMS' work revitalizing our Dot Ave business district. Thanks also to our many sponsors:The Ashmont Grill
Albert Winestein Wine & Cheese
Countrywide Home Loans
Mt. Washington Bank
Trinity Financial
The Boston Main Streets Foundation
Where's Charlie? Find Him and WIN in the Healthy Main Streets Promotion! (7/24/2008)
Mayor Menino invites you to walk, bike, or take the T to St. Mark's Area Main Street, find the T's "Charlie," and win great prizes in the Healthy Main Streets promotion.
Look for Charlie in participating St. Mark's Area businesses from Sunday, July 27th to Friday, August 1st. If you find him, you win an MBTA pass, a $50 gift certificate to the New Balance Factory Outlet Store, and a chance at a bicycle and a year's membership to the Metro Boston YMCA branch of your choice!
SMAMS Participating Businesses:
I-Wireless Communications, 1690 Dorchester Ave.
Beauty Line Beauty Supplies, 1692 Dorchester Ave.
Son Ha Gift Shop, 1737 Dorchester Ave.
Dot-2-Dot Cafe, 1739 Dorchester Ave.
Super 99 Cent Plus Store, 1767 Dorchester Ave
JXD Furniture, 1825 Dorchester Ave.
Hair Solutions Salon, 1882 Dorchester Ave.
Clay Station Studio, Dot-2-Dot Cafe Hold Grand Openings June 28 (7/8/2008)
Thanks to all who came out for the grand opening celebrations for Dot Art's Clay Station Studio and The Dot-2-Dot Cafe on Saturday, June 28. A good crowd welcomed Mayor Menino as he cut the ceremonial ribbon at both establishments - The Clay Station at 1782 Dorchester Ave. (at the corner of Shepton Street), and the Dot-2-Dot at 1739 Dorchester Ave. (just south of St. Mark's Church). It's fitting that these two ventures held their grand openings on the same day, because they've been helping each other out since they opened earlier this year: The Dot-2-Dot displays artwork by Dot Art graduates, and Clay Station students made the dazzling tile display that adorns the Dot-2-Dot's storefront.
Dot Day wrap-up (6/17/2008)
Thanks to all who marched and cheered on the SMAMS contingent in this year's Dot Day Parade on June 1! A special thanks to Mike Seigal and Ashmont Tire, who donated the "sweet" 1973 Mercedes that was the hit of the parade.
Community Meeting Thursday, June 12 re Proposed Transfer of O'Brien's Market Liquor License (6/4/2008)
Mr. Abu Zafar, who is planning to purchase O'Brien's Market at 1913 Dorchester Ave, has filed a petition to transfer the liquor license.
SMAMS and the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services are sponsoring a community meeting Thursday, June 12, 6:30 PM, at All Saints Church Hall, 209 Ashmont Street to get community input on this proposal. All are welcome to attend.
Mr. Zafar is looking forward to this meeting and to hearing residents' opinions. If you have any questions you would like to propose to Mr. Zafar, please send them to office@smams.org by Friday, June 6, and we will forward them along.
Please join us for a free business breakfast at the Dot-2-Dot Cafe ! (5/21/2008)
When: Tuesday, June 3, 8:00 - 9:00 AM
Where: The Dot-2-Dot Cafe, 1739 Dorchester Ave (just south of St. Mark's Church)
Why:
* Check out the delicious food at the Dot-2-Dot. Free today, and very affordable every day!
* Meet with other local merchants and make plans for "cross-marketing" your businesses
* Learn about City programs that can help your business:
The Boston Community Change Card, a powerful customer loyalty card with virtually no cost to you!
The Boston Green Tech Initiative, a new city program to help you "green" your operations. This can lead to money saved through energy efficiency, new customers who "shop green," and more!
Bay State Bike Week 1: Dot-2-Dot Cafe hosts Biker's Breakfast May 13 (5/5/2008)
As part of Mass. Bike Week 2008, SMAMS, Dot Bike and the Dot-2-Dot Cafe will host a breakfast for all bicyclists on Tuesday, May 13, 7:00 - 8:30 AM. Just show up on your bike and wearing a helmet, and treat yourself to continental breakfast from Dorchester's newest cafe!
The Dot-2-Dot is located at 1739 Dorchester Ave., just south of St. Mark's Church. With plenty of seating, free wi-fi, and local artwork gracing the walls, it's the perfect spot to meet before or after a ride. In addition to coffee & pastries, the D2D serves soups, sandwiches, and salads from around the world, in a menu that changes daily.
Bay State Bike Week 2: Bike Convoy to Boston May 16 (5/5/2008)
Are you a seasoned bike commuter? Always wanted to try biking to work but afraid of the traffic? On Friday, May 16, both groups will band together for a convoy up Dot Ave into downtown Boston. Experienced cyclists will lead the way; at ride's end at City Hall, you'll join other convoys from all over Boston for a rousing reception, another free breakfast, and loads of biking goodies. Meet at the Peabody Square Clock Park (corner of Ashmont Street and Dorchester Ave.) at 6:45 AM - the convoy rolls at 7:00! For more info call 617-918-4456.
Chris Stanley, Mt. Washington Bank named SMAMS Volunteer & Business of the Year (5/5/2008)
SMAMS Board Member Chris Stanley (at left in photo) and Mt. Washington Bank (represented by CEO Ed Merritt) were honored recently as SMAMS' volunteer & business of the year at the Boston Main Streets' annual awards ceremony. Both awards are richly deserved!
Chris has been a leader of SMAMS' efforts to redevelop Peabody Square for many years. He was a key member of the team that negotiated with the MBTA for a complete rebuilding of Ashmont Station, and he played a central role in bringing a major commercial/residential building to the station site. He led the SMAMS planning project that designed new street layouts for the Square, and later helped develop a pollution control project to reduce stormwater runoff from the new roadways. Chris is also an active member of SMAMS' Economic Restructuring Committee, which recruits new businesses to the neighborhood.
