Esplanade Summer Events Are a Go
The Esplanade Association (EPA) has returned from a year of lockdown to offer a full suite of summer activities, including both day-to-day staples like outdoor fitness classes and annual classics like the Moon Dance Gala..

Drugs Hurting Key Economic Engine
The South End's drug epidemic is imperiling the viability of one of Boston’s key economic engines. Newmarket Square has been the center of substance abuse treatment programs for years, but conditions have rapidly deteriorated in the past year due to Covid-19 lockdowns and a swell in drug distribution.

Barnes & Noble May Leave the Prudential
Barnes & Noble is the country’s largest book chain and its Boston store has consistently been one of the company’s most profitable locations. The chain was publicly held until acquired in 2019 by private equity firm Elliot Management. During the pandemic, Barnes & Noble temporarily closed 400 of its 620 stores.

Don’t Mess With Captain Ciccolo
On June 1, just after Boston’s covid restrictions lifted, Ciccolo apprehended two men trespassing onto a construction site in the Theatre District. Last September, the captain chased down and arrested a man who attempted to sexually assault a woman in the Public Garden.

Chinatown Residents Oppose Proposed Weed Dispensary
Royalty Group, LLC is vying for the community’s approval to open a cannabis retail store at 31-39 Stuart Street, the former location of Jacob Wirth Co. Restaurant. In a virtual meeting, owner and CEO Andrea Pearce presented her plans to Chinatown residents.

Espresso Love Marks Its 10th Anniversary
Espresso Love, a family run cafe in the financial district, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. What makes this occasion even more special is that it’s also welcoming back its customers as office goers and tourists return to downtown Boston.

Crime & Punishment
Boston Police, EMS, SWAT, Explosives, and negotiators responded immediately to the scene only to find that the call had been a hoax. It is believed to be an ongoing issue between two parties, however, the threat still remained very serious at the time.

Smoke Shop Is Out Crush Boutique In
When word spread about the smoke shop moving in, residents spoke out. Over 160 people showed up to express their concern at Zoom meeting with City Councilor Kenzie Bok and State Representative Jay Livingstone. Community members were particularly concerned about the shop’s proximity to parks, an ice cream shop, and several schools.

MGH Expansion Plan Is Arousing Suspicion
Planning for a two-tower building and associated work on Massachusetts General Hospital’s West End campus is moving forward, but some citizens are voicing dismay over what they see as the project’s lack of transparency and doubt the strength of MGH’s commitments.

Groceries and Parking Key to Samuels Plans
The proposal totals 600,000 square feet, with a 50,000 square foot full-service grocery store and the remainder dedicated to a life science building. It would also include 2.3 acres of public space, with enhanced paths surrounding the building and the nearby MBTA Fenway station.

BEAM ME UP, SCOTTY!
The Red Sox celebrated a construction milestone last week with a topping off ceremony for the MGM Music Hall on the corner of Lansdowne and Ipswich Streets. The last steel beam signed by members of the team’s front office, City Councilor Kenzie Bok and Gilbane Building’s construction crew.

Scattered Trash Is Becoming Epidemic
Neighborhoods around the South End are struggling to deal with a surge in dumpster divers leaving trash scattered around the streets. With the exact cause of the problem still obscured and public policy solutions years away, neighborhood associations have been forced to get creative to try to solve the problem.

Policing Pride Events Is A Mayoral Forum Issue
All were supportive of the LGBTQ community, but controversy around alleged discrimination by Boston’s Pride leadership and the expectation that Boston’s Pride events will soon follow New York’s example in banning police which gave candidates the opportunity to differentiate themselves.

GIVING FOR A GREAT CAUSE
The Blackstone Franklin Square Neighborhood Association awarded $35,000 in scholarships to 14 South End high school seniors last week. The stipends ranged from $2,000-$3,500..