MetroSouth Chamber Celebrates 98th Biz Expo

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—In a sea of blue, black and gray-suited business people gathered for MetroSouth Chamber of Commerce’s 98th annual meeting and expo, standing out in a tie-die T-shirt and wearing pink, blue, green and white ribbons in her hair was face painter extraordinaire and artist Kara Andrews.
“You’re wonderful. Can I get your card. I’m thinking about my grandson’s birthday,” one woman said, as Andrews blew up a balloon and quick as a blink formed it into a bright red lady bug.
A once-and-former chemist, public school substitute art teacher and would-be anthropologist, Andrews gave up the corporate and usual paths of life to follow her lifelong dream and opened her own children’s fine arts studio, Art on the Spot Studio, in Middleboro.
Andrews, 40, an award-winning face painter, expanded the business to include body adornment, face painting, glitter tattoos, crazy hair and Henna--an endeavor that not only caught the eye of hundreds of expo attendees, but also Hollywood.
“I did the makeup for ‘Furry Vengeance’ with Brandon Fraser and Brooke Shields,” Andrews said.
While the movie wasn’t a world-wide sensation, Andrews' designs are.
She said it was fun working on a film and even having an on-screen role.
“There’s a two-second spot if you look really close where I play—what else? A face painter,” Andrews said.
(Andrews, pictured in top photo with MetroSouth's intern Irene Giannenakis, a Stoughton High School student, and in second photo with Alison Van Dam, MetroSouth's director of communications)
The business-to-business expo and annual meeting held at the Massasoit Community College Conference Center, Nov. 16 helped showcase Andrews’ artistic talents and the values and quality of hundreds of other businesses in the MetroSouth Chamber’s region.
The keynote speaker for the program was David Morales, vice-president of public policy and planning for Steward Health Care System, a private company that recently purchased the Catholic Church's Caritas hospitals, including Good Samaritan Medical Center, which opened a new, state-of-the-art emergency room last month.
Members mixed and mingled, including Mutual Bank Assistant Treasure Yashin Cerritos, Business and Banking Development Officer Chris Dickinson and West Branch Manager Aida Monteiro. (Pictured, bottom photo)
It was also a time for the chamber to recognize individuals and businesses that have contributed to the area’s business growth and community.
Christine Karavites from Proteas Consulting was this year's Charles A. Fuller Service Award winner. (Pictured below with Steward's Morales as she headed to the stage to accept her award)
Economic Impact Award winners are:
*Bernardi Auto Group, Brockton which opened a Honda and Hyundai showroom on the former Northern Isles site, investing $24 million into the project;
*Brockton Parking Authority, Brockton which has reconstructed the Lincoln Street parking lot, which now has solar-powered revenue controls and video surveillance. The project included the refurbishment of Church Street and new sidewalks in the area.
*The Charlie Horse, West Bridgewater which has renovated and expanded its longtime operations to include a new function room with 50-inch HD TV’s, a flagstone fireplace and a new state-of-the-art bowling alley;
*Coffman Realty—CVS, Brockton which received $2 million in Recovery Zone Facility Bonds for a $4 million project that replaced Paramount Rug with a new CVS pharmacy at West Street;
*Crescent Credit Union, Brockton which has moved its location from West Street to a new, modern branch at its headquarters at 1300 Belmont St. Crescent Credit Union is also the recipient of the Dora Maxwell Award for Social Responsibility;
*Good Samaritan Medical Center, Brockton which has gone from a non-profit hospital to a private facility after Steward Health Care System purchased the Caritas hospital network. The hospital last month opened its new state-of-the-art emergency room—a $34 million investment;
*Porter and Chester Institute, Canton which has been provided career training in New England since 1946. It features 40,450-square-foot building with new and updated equipment in all its classrooms and labs.
*Salvatore Capital Partners, Brockton, are the developers of Panera Bread’s new bakery and café on the West Side of Brockton, a $4 million project which included the addition of Eastern Bank, a Sprint store, and Massage Envy, all which complement Starbucks, Bertucci’s and other businesses in an adjacent plaza.
*Stonehill College—Merkert-Tracy Hall, Easton, has undergone a complete renovation from a science wing to an administration building that now houses the Advancement and Finance, and Human Resources Department. Built in 1949, the hall’s reconstruction was an investment of $6 million.
*Willwork, Inc., Exhibit & Event Services, Easton has reopened after a fire destroyed its facility at 23 Norfolk Ave., in the Easton Industrial Park. The new 40,000-square-foot building is double the original size and was designed by the company’s employees.

MetroSouth Holds 98th Expo, Luncheon

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--MetroSouth Chamber of Commerce will host its 98th annual Business-to-Business Expo Wednesday, Nov. 16 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Massasoit Conference Center.
The expo is a great opportunity to reach 500 business people throughout the Metro South region. Designed to be a personal table-top expo, presenters will be provided with meaningful opportunities to promote their company to prospect after prospect.
During the expo David Morales, vice-president of public policy and planning for Steward Health Care System will be the guest speaker for the annual luncheon.
The chamber will also announce its Economic Impact Award presentations.
The luncheon will take place from Noon to 1:45 p.m. and costs $45 per person for members, $55 for others, or $450 for a table of 10.
Call Kim Prosper at 508-586-0500 x 231 or email kprosper@merosouthchamber.com for tickets and info.

Edaville's New Season Opens Oct. 1

BrocktonPost
CARVER--Edaville Railroad will open for its full fall schedule Saturday, October 1 with appearances by Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends, followed by a full slate of familiar and new activities and offerings to delight the throngs of people who visit the park.
This season’s familiar events, such as Thomas, the Cranberry Festival and the Festival of Lights will be joined by The Polar Express, Ghost Train and a Country Fair. (Click here for full schedule)
In the wake of a sale agreement that did not come to fruition, Edaville owner Jon Delli Priscoli decided several months ago to keep the park open for one more season through the ever popular holiday Festival of Lights.
Following that decision, other developments prompted him not only to take the park off of the market, but also to refurbish and improve Edaville USA while seeking opportunities to expand its offerings.
“After the initial sale fell through I decided to keep the park open for another season because for me, this park is a labor of love,” Priscoli said in a prepared statement.
“Meanwhile, I became involved in another business opportunity that brings great potential for cross marketing opportunities, and that prompted me to decide not only to keep Edaville, but to expand the offerings there as well,” he said
Priscoli was recently named a director and CEO of Cape Rail, Inc., which operates the Cape Cod Central Railroad and the Massachusetts Coastal Railroad.
Cape Cod Central is known for its popular dinner trains and other tourist train events, while Mass Coastal is primarily a freight line operating on the South Coast and on Cape Cod.
Ultimately, Priscoli and his new partners plan to expand tourist rail offerings to Fall River and New Bedford via the Mass Coastal line, which offers great opportunities for cross marketing promotions with Edaville USA.
New offerings at Edaville will also include an antiques show, slated for next year, to attract premier dealers from the Northeast and beyond. Priscoli, who is a director of the non-profit Longfellow’s Wayside Inn in Sudbury, has successfully produced a premier show at that venue for the last two years.
“At Edaville we anticipate seeing antiques lovers and their young children, who will have an opportunity to take in the age appropriate park offerings while the parents take in the antiques show,” he said.
Meanwhile, workers have been busy rerouting part of Edaville’s rail line so that the static rides the park offers can be grouped all together. There will be a new outdoor play area and new rides, including bumper cars.
There are also plans to bring in a small roller coaster and a Model T driving ride. The food service has also been upgraded, thanks to an arrangement with Carver’s own Little Red Smokehouse, which will provide its signature barbeque chicken and other delights for hungry patrons.
And of course, new paint, varnish, wider pathways and other cosmetic improvements will all be completed by the time the park opens on Oct. 1.
“This will be a great year for Edaville and I’m looking forward to seeing the smiling faces of the thousands of children and their parents, many of whom came here as kids themselves, when we open next month,” Priscoli said.

Pasta Bene Rolls On As Tutto Bene

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—After more than 30 years as Pasta Bene, owner Benjamin Albanese has changed the name to Tutto Bene to better match the evolution of the business that has grown from initially selling handmade ravioli to a full-service caterer and restaurant.
“It’s all good—that’s what it means—Tutto Bene—it’s all good. It’s not just pasta anymore,” Albanese said.
The name change came several weeks ago, and includes a new sign for the restaurant at 1050 Pearl St. and a brightly painted car that advertises the new name change.
What will remain the same, Albanese, 58, said, is the same high standard and quality of the pasta, ravioli, tortellini and other homemade specialties served at the restaurant, catering and retail side of the company.
Albanese, 58, who worked as a Brockton City Solicitor for more than 10 years, said he launched Pasta Bene when he was a young student attending law school. He tended bar, went to classes and began hand-rolling ravioli and sold them from a corner stand in a cheese shop.
His sisters helped roll ravioli as the business grew and grew and grew— and as he went on as a professional lawyer, the business continued to expand, eventually opening in a building across the street that now houses White’s Pastry.
The business moved into its current location about 12 years ago, and recently renovated an adjacent space for functions and private parties, and rebuilt the bar and dining room.
On most Thursday nights, Berklee College of Music Professor Steve Heck and Albanese’s wife Lynne play organ and perform a mix of popular music, rhythm and blues, and old favorites.
Back before Ben and Lynne were married 17 years ago and had their children Alexandra, 14--who often sings with Heck and Lynne--and Ben, 12, Lynne took her shot at fame and fortune and headed out to California, where while she didn’t hit the big time, had the opportunity to sing with the famous Righteous Brothers in a club they owned in Los Angeles. (Pictured above with Heck playing organ, and with husband Ben)
Staff at Tutto Bene, many who have been there for 10 years or more, said they enjoy working at the restaurant and believe it is one of the best places in the area for Italian food, creative American cuisine, Sangria made fresh everyday and a stylish, urban atmosphere that draws judges, lawyers, area business owners and 30-and 40-somethings looking for a sophisticated night out.
“I love this place,” said Joe Niccoli, owner of Niccoli Bros. Oil, who with several employees stopped in to visit his favorite wait staff. (Pictured at right with staff member Carly Gerry)
Tara Hasomeris, a Brockton native whose 30th birthday party was a hot topic of comment at the restaurant, laughed as she philosophized about the milestone, and poured a glass of Sangria. (Pictured below)
“We really have fun here—you have to have fun, because before you know it you’re turning 30,” Hasomeris said.
Canton resident Teresa Mackie, who has been with Albanese for over 10 years, said it’s been a great place to work while she raises her children.
“It’s really like a family,” Mackie said. “There are people of all ages, but everyone gets along and we have a good time,” she said.
Tutto Bene's hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Evening dining: Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m.
Lunch: Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Retail store: Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Click here to visit Tutto Bene's website.
(Pictured at top, Kitchen Manager Omar Sodevilla, and second from top, Prep Chef Emmanuel Barria)

SBA Johns, Nelson Highlight Urban League Biz Summit

BrocktonPost
BOSTON--The National Urban League and Small Business Administration will host a free small business summit, Saturday, July 30 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.
The summit will include the opportunity to network with industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs while accessing resources to help your business grow.
A featured panelist for the free portion of the conference is SBA’s Massachusetts Director Bob Nelson, who will speak about the state of entrepreneurship and financing programs.
Nelson's discussion will be held from 9:15 to 10:45 a.m.
This session will describe growing trends in the Massachusetts innovation economy and provide financial and technical assistance programs geared toward helping business access capital and new market opportunities.
There will also be a luncheon presentation by SBA Deputy Administrator Marie Johns. (Pictured above)
Johns joins the summit from SBA headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Johns is Deputy Administrator of the US Small Business Administration, where she contributes to management of the agency and development of SBA policy.
Johns was nominated by President Obama on December 17, 2009 and confirmed by unanimous consent in the Senate June 22, 2010.
Johns session will take place from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m.
There is a fee for Johns' presentation.
There will also be a matchmaking session when purchasing representatives from Fortune 500 companies will provide their available contracting opportunities to conference registrants in advance of this session.
Armed with this information business owners will decide which companies they would like to meet with and have five minutes to pitch their ideas.
From 2 to 3:30 p.m. there will be a new entrepreneur "pitch session," when participants that have been in business for under a year or are thinking of starting a business will have the opportunity to enter the pitch competition.
Finalists will be chosen before the conference and will pitch their ideas to a panel live for a chance to win $10,000 towards their new small business venture and admission to 100 Urban Entrepreneur’s eight-week business-mentoring program.
A more complete agenda for this conference can be found at: http://www.nul.org/conference/2011/schedule/free-open-public-small-business-matters-entrepreneurship-summit.

SportsSmart Program Gives Area Athletes Concussion Baseline Test

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--A new partnership between Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital and five area high schools will help athletic trainers, coaches and school nurses provide orthopedic care, medical Care, physical therapy and concussion baselines for all athletes at the schools.
Participants from Brockton High School, Cardinal Spellman, Whitman-Hanson High School, Stoughton High, and East Bridgewater High will be a part of a new program, SportsSmart, that along with numerous services will include an ImPact test that creates a medical baseline of the student's brain in case of a concussion.
Brockton Hospital officials said in a prepared statement the ImPact program is used to create baselines for athletes, so when they experience a concussion, there is a way to measure against their normal reaction time.
The test shows a combination of memory, spatial recognition, color recognition, word recognition, reaction time and irritability.
Officials said a concussion cannot be "graded" because the same hit to the head affects different people in different ways.
Every athlete at a professional level performs the ImPact test as a baseline, officials said.
Schools in the ImPact testing program, which was launched earlier this month, will receive access to free impact testing by a certified impact consultant, and clinically managed pre-season conditioning, and 24/7 access to emergency medical care, radiology services, physical therapy-rehabalitation services, orthopedic surgeons, and a SportSmart medical director.
Also offered as a part of the SportSmart program are free educational forums for CEU credits for athletic directors and athletic trainers, presented by experts, including Dr. Ken Lawson,SportSmart Program Director and Chief of the Emergency Department at Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital.
Forum topics will include preseason nutrition and hydration, traumatic brain injury, and sudden cardiac arrest.
Many of these forums will be open to parents and teachers.
Bill Buckner, former Major League Baseball first baseman and manager of the Brockton Rox, is the program's spokesperson.
For more information, please visit www.MySignatureCare.org/Concussion.
Photo above, courtesy Brockton Hospital. Pictured are members of Stoughton High's sports staff and officials from Brockton Hospital. From left to right: Dr. Ken Lawson, Stoughton Athletic Director Ryan Donahue and athletic trainer Jen Dowd, Stoughton Nursing Director Pat Small, Brockton Hospital Program Coordinator Linda McAlear, and CEO Kim Hollon.

Eastern Bank Opens New Brockton Location

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Eastern Bank will hold a grand opening and ribbon cutting Thursday at its new location at 1313 Belmont St.
The event will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
There will be refreshments and hors d'oeuvres.

Elaine Reiser 2011 ATHENA Award Winner

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Elaine Reiser, Former Director of Helpline at Brockton Area Multi-Services, Inc. was named the 2011 ATHENA Award Recipient by the Metro South Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, June 16 during a conference and expo at the Shaw's Center in Brockton.
Reiser (pictured above) was director of Helpline at Brockton Area Multi-Services, Inc., BAMSI, for 37 years.
MetroSouth officials said Elaine epitomizes the ideals established through the ATHENA Award: powerful dedication; compassion to help women and those in need; spirit of community; the demand of excellence from her staff; and a passionate drive to make Helpline a recognized model across the region.
Reiser initiated and developed the concept of an information and referral service to encompass medical and human service needs for residents of the Greater Plymouth County Area.
In 1976, Reiser brought Helpline to BAMSI where it grew into a multi-faceted information and referral system connecting people in need with housing, medical, and other vital emergency services.
Through this initiative, Reiser has saved thousands of individuals in emergency crises, including the homeless and those living without food or heat.
When the housing crisis became a critical disaster in Brockton, Reiser created and designed BAMSI’s “First Stop Program,” a model of services to help those in at-risk households to prevent future homelessness.
This program has had one of the highest placement rates in Massachusetts with a 97% success rate.
Reiser's work was also instrumental in shaping the state-wide Mass211 initiative, modeled on Reiser’s Information and Referral Program and Helpline.
Over her 36-plus years at BAMSI, Reiser has served as a role model for the dozens of women who have worked for her through the Helpline, as well as those families, primarily women, who have come pleading for emergency help.
In the community, Reiser has worked on numerous mayor’s task forces on health and human Services.
She was a founding member of the MainSpring Coalition for the Homeless and served on the Massachusetts Coalition for Homeless for 20 years.
Reiser also served as president of the United Way of Greater Plymouth County’s Agency Executives, was president of Community Services of Greater Brockton for eight years and Treasurer for 10 years.
Statewide, Reiser has served as president of the Massachusetts Association of Information and Referral Services.
She has received countless honors, awards, and accolades for her exemplary service.
Reiser is now retired and lives with her husband, Ed, in Sharon.
The International ATHENA Award is presented to an exceptional individual who has achieved excellence in his/her business or profession, has served the community in a meaningful way, and has assisted women in reaching their full leadership potential. The ATHENA Awards Program was created in 1982 and has expanded to over 500 cities. The Metro South Chamber of Commerce believes in the values underlying the ATHENA Foundation’s philosophy of incorporating the talents and expertise of women into the leadership of our businesses, communities and government.
Prior recipients of the ATHENA Award include Anne DeMinico, St. Joseph Manor, Sue Joss, Brockton Neighborhood Health Center, Vanessa Tierny, Brockton Area Multi-Services, Inc., Dr. Susan Szachowicz, Brockton High School Principal, Loretta DeGrazia, East Coast Petroleum, Marianne Wroble Cox, WXBR 1460 AM, Shailah Stewart, Brockton Public Schools, Dr. Linda Faria Braun, Adult Learning Center, Christine Karavites, Proteas Customized Consulting, Barbara Duffy, Brockton Area Multi-Services, Inc., Noelle Foye, Fuller Craft Museum, Janice Cunningham, E. Bridgewater Police Officer.
As part of the ATHENA Program, there was an expo and conference featuring over 20 businesses and a presentation by Dr. Carol Hardy-Fanta, Director of the Center of Women in Politics & Public Policy at UMass Boston.
(Photo courtesy MetroSouth Chamber of Commerce)

Store Front Improvement Fete June 23

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Mayor Linda M. Balzotti will join Brockton 21st Century Corporation Executive Director Mary Waldron, representatives from the Brockton Redevelopment Authority and local business owner Barry Gaughran to celebrate the completion of the latest Façade Improvement Program project on Main Street Thursday, June 23 at 3 p.m.
The event will take place at 278-286 Main St.
The goal of the Façade Improvement Program is to leverage private investment in the physical and aesthetic improvement of commercial properties with store fronts and enhance the attractiveness of targeted areas within the City of Brockton.
For more information about this event or the Façade Improvement Program, please contact Paul Morrison at 508-586-3887.

Bernardi Auto Group Opens Brockton Showrooms

Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—Bernardi Auto Group held a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony to highlight the opening of two new showrooms on Manley Street in Brockton.
“The city has been wonderful to work with,” said Jim Carney, Bernardi’s president and owner.
During ceremonies Thursday, June 16 Carney and Mayor Linda Balzotti cut a red-ribbon to officially open new Honda and Hyundai dealerships. (Pictured above left, with Balzotti, center, and State Rep. Michael Brady)
Carney also donated $5,000 to the city’s Brockton After Dark program which offers a host of free activities for youth and teens that takes place during summer nights.
Construction of the two new showrooms began last October.
The Hyundai show room has been open for more than a month. Its grand opening was held Wednesday, June 15 during a private reception.
Carney said the two dealerships employ close to 100 people and he hopes as the business grows that number will be increased to about 300.
One feature of the new Honda showroom is Jimbo’s Diner, (right) a 1950s-style diner that serves breakfast and lunch—meals that will be offered free to customers bringing their vehicles in for service.

Small Business, Big Developers Shape Brockton Downtown's Future

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—Surrounded by family and friends, Guilherme “Will” Barbosa celebrated the grand opening of new cultural clothing shop, Criolo, and full-service promotion, event planning and design business Downtown by Design in what was once an empty space on Main Street in the heart of downtown Brockton.
“This is a culmination of a lot of hard work and no sleep,” Barbosa told the crowd that included Mayor Linda Balzotti, representatives of MetroSouth Chamber of Commerce, and fellow business owners who were on hand to celebrate the new store’s opening.
“This is just the beginning,” Barbosa said, noting it is not only a new beginning for him, but also downtown Brockton which is poised for what could be a much-hoped for revitalization of Brockton’s center.
Barbosa, 30, a Cape Verdean native (Pictured above, second from right) who has lived in Brockton since 6th grade said he and his partner Hostelino Ribeiro believe downtown Brockton is the right place at the right time for Criolo’s unique cultural clothing line and more likely money-maker Downtown by Design.
“If you’re going to be successful you should be able to do it in your hometown,” Barbosa said. “I feel something. I sense something’s happening here,” he said.
Barbosa joins a handful of other small enterprises like Hogie’s Hobbies, Your Local Office, Marvelous Cuts, KingsWear and Natural Health Supplements, which over the last three years have popped up in some of the countless empty offices and shops that line Brockton’s Main Street.
Many are looking forward to the day when some larger projects on the table bring about what is hoped to be a downtown revitalization.
Last month Trinity Financial submitted plans for a $100 million project that would include more than 220 rental apartments, nearly 40,000-square-feet of office space and another 6,000 to 8,000-square-feet for retail operations that would replace the ramshackle and dilapidated building that once housed local newspaper The Enterprise.
Just a block away behind the Enterprise building and city hall at the corner of Montello and Lincoln streets, Capstone Communities has finalized permits for a 25-unit apartment complex called Station Lofts, that would replace the so-called George Knight building that is adjacent to the MBTA’s downtown commuter rail stop.
Later the Knight building was bought by Stall & Dean, a more than 100-year-old company that makes baseball and hockey uniforms, including shirts for hockey teams like the Boston Bruins and Boston Red Sox until operations were moved to Perkins Street about 10 years ago.
The building has been vacant since.
The Trinity and Capstone projects would be added to other large projects like Brockton Neighborhood Health Center that celebrated the completion of a $2.5 million expansion in June 2010 and is set for another $11 million upgrade.
The Trinity and Capstone projects hinge on state and federal financing and incentives and many hurdles have to be overcome, but cautious excitement has built around the two large projects that officials say will not bear fruit for at least two or three years, however, other improvements are on the way.
Marc Resnick, Brockton’s newly hired eexecutive director of the reformed redevelopment authority, said the city has received a $2 million streetscape grant to improve lighting, sidewalks and other aesthetics along the Main Street corridor that will help make it a brighter and, many hope safer place for customers to visit.
Resnick said while there are a lot of plans in the works for the downtown, many factors will shape the city’s center in the future.
“When the economy collapsed a few years ago, no one’s been interested in building in downtowns anywhere,” Resnick said. “Now, market conditions are improving—even for Brockton,” he said.
Resnick said an important piece of urban redevelopment is creating vibrant pockets with businesses and foot traffic, similar to the two ends of Main Street from Irving Ace Hardware and Marvelous Cuts on the Court Street end (pictured at right) to the courthouse, long-established businesses like Gourmet Café, and Joe Angelo’s Café and Deli who have been joined by newcomers like KingsWear, Natural Health Supplements and Tamboo at the Belmont Street end.
Those pockets have increased traffic in the city’s downtown, but problems persist.
Justin Hayward, co-owner of Natural Health Supplements and People’s Best Care at 263 Main St., steps away from the corner of Belmont and Main, said one fact about the downtown has to change.
“People don’t want to come to the downtown because it’s dirty and dangerous,” said Hayward, who opened the natural health supplies and chiropractic office about a year ago.
Homeless people and other assorted characters like 58-year-old Fernando “Freddie” Graca walk the streets of the city center. Some ask for money. Some ask for cigarettes.
Most are harmless like Graca--a well-known denizen of Brockton’s downtown who changes costumes and can be spotted dressed in bright red tartan patterns as a Scottish leader like last Friday, or he could appear as Abraham Lincoln, or even an angel.
Media reports of murder, violence, drug and gang activity create a real snapshot of Brockton that some believe is a skewed perception of the downtown and the city overall.
“That happens everywhere,” said Lynnel Cox, co-owner of Your Local Office, a virtual secretarial and data processing business for lawyers that opened about three years ago at 214 Main St.
“Homeless people beg for money at all the T-stations—Boston, Abington, Braintree, Wareham, Middleboro…I’ve been to them all and it happens everywhere,” she said.
She also noted that much of the violence Brockton is known for does not usually happen in the downtown, except for noted exceptions at the city’s pubs and nightclubs, including two incidents over the last year at Joe Angelo’s.
Even so, Cox said during the three years she has been on Main Street, she has had less problems at her business than at her home in East Bridgewater.
“Brockton is the hub of Plymouth County. It’s time for the downtown. It’s time for people to step out of their comfort zone and come down here and see what’s happening,” Cox said.
“I’ve been here for three years and I’ve had two planters outside my office and no one has bothered them. I’ve put out pumpkins too, and no problem. I can’t even put pumpkins out on my doorstep at home--they’re gone or smashed within a few hours,” she said.
Brockton native Bill Hogan, (Pictured at right) who opened Hogie’s Hobbies at 138 Main St., a few doors down from Criolo about eight months ago, said he is struggling, but hopeful the many initiatives on the table will help bring a renaissance to Brockton’s once proud downtown.
“We’re not going anywhere. We’re a work in progress,” Hogan said. “We need people to come down here and do some shopping,” he said.

Elie Baking, McGuiggan's Take MetroSouth Annual Honors

BrocktonPost
BROCKTON--Brockton’s Elie Baking Corp. has been named Small Business of the Year and McGuiggan’s Pub in Whitman Entrepreneur of the Year by MetroSouth Chamber of Commerce during its 20th annual Small Business Expo and Luncheon.
The awards were announced Wednesday, May 18 at the Chamber’s annual expo and conference held at the Shaw’s Center.
Other nominees included Apothecare South Shore, Inc. of Brockton, Beaver Woodworking Supplies of Brockton, Belle Epoque of Brockton, Cake in a Box of Bridgewater, Hungry Coyote of Brockton, Mia Regazza of Abington and The Mockingbird Restaurant of East Bridgewater.
Nominees were evaluated on their ability to demonstrate creativity in the development of their business, growth and staying power, internal and external social responsibility, and the economic opportunities they have created in the Metro South region.
Elie’s Baking, which includes Near East Bakery in Boston, several years ago opened a manufacturing plant for bagels and pita bread at 204 N. Montello St. in Brockton that expands its already successful bagel, pita bread, gyro and tortilla business.
A minority-owned business operated by Lebanon natives Elie and Al Ata, (Pictured above, left to right, with Brockton 21st Century Corporation's Mary Waldron) the company has made a $1.7 million investment in the Brockton location and employs 40 to 45 people.
The company plans to expand it’s 48,000 square-foot building to add to its New England, Florida and Virginia client base.
The company has supported numerous food pantries and stop hunger causes.
McGuiggan’s Pub was opened in downtown Whitman in Dec. 2009 by well-known developer Richard Rosen. (Pictured at right with wife Kathy)
The pub, which features an upscale Irish sports pub atmosphere and elegant mahogany bar, has grown from 10 employees to 35 and has invested about $1 million for growth and expansion.
McGuiggan’s has sponsored road races for the Whitman Food Pantry, and Whitman Athletic Department. It has also hosted events to raise money for Brockton Family & Community Resources, ALS and MDA.
McGuiggan’s was named Best Bartenders on the South Shore and Best Hangout on the South Shore in 2010 by South Shore Living Magazine.

Nothing Like Brockton's Burrito Wraps

By Lisa E. Crowley
BrocktonPost
BROCKTON—The first place Hanson residents Bill Hogan and his son Dan thought of to spend a recent Tuesday afternoon for lunch is Brockton’s Burrito Wraps Mexican Grill.
“We come as often as we can. There’s nothing like it in the area,” Hogan said, dipping a crisp homemade nacho chip into the house specialty jabernero salsa sauce served as a complimentary appetizer and one of Hogan’s favorites.
“The food’s great, the service is great and the atmosphere is great,” Hogan said. (Pictured above with owner Alex Perez)
Brockton’s Burrito Wrap and Mexican Grill’s first location was opened in May, 2008 by owner Alex Perez at 688 Crescent St., in the Brockton East shopping plaza--a strip mall best known for Christo’s Restaurant and other businesses like Radio Shack and Family Dollar.
“This is one of those places where you can’t judge the book by its cover,” owner Alex Perez said.
Anyone looking at the strip mall entrance from the outside would never believe the warmth and savory aromas found inside.
Perez’s second restaurant was opened in February, 2009 at 707 Warren Ave. and has more of an atmosphere similar to Perez’s adolescence in Los Angeles, where his family moved when he was 11-years-old.
Once stepping over the threshold of his restaurants, a visitor is transported to a slice of Mexico, similar to the traditional Mexican bistros Perez said he remembers from his childhood in his native Mexico and has tried hard to emulate—right down to dishes that are freshly prepared every day and originate from the spices, meats and sauces in the kitchens of his mother and grandmother.
“I won’t give up until I get that flavor, that taste from my childhood,” Perez said.
It seems to have worked.
“I’ve heard things from customers like, “I feel like I just traveled to Mexico,” Perez said.
Perez, 49 until his birthday next month, was the proud winner of the first THRIVE Award, given by the Brockton 21st Century Corp. to the best minority or women owned business of the year.
Perez was one of 12 nominees for the award whose criteria includes giving back to the community in different ways and a business that has received assistance from the Brockton 21st Century Corp., MetroSouth Chamber of Commerce, or numerous programs such as SEED Corp. or U.S. Small Business Administration.
In choosing Perez for the inaugural award, the Brockton 21st Century Corp. states, “Alex and Burrito Wrap, Mexican Grill is a role model for our women and minority owned businesses. He has also invested in a neighborhood that others lost interest and has made a successful destination for those looking for quality Mexican food. Alex and Burrito Wraps has put Brockton on the map for the best Mexican food.”
Perez has donated money or time to several local organizations, including, YMCA, Brockton Day Nursery, Trinity Catholic, and has sponsored blood drives, little league teams and, Project Guardian Angel.
Anyone who has been at many of the events in the city will recognize Perez, a tall, dark and handsome man wearing a blue-denim oxford shirt with his Burrito Wrap logo, neatly creased dress pants handing out coupons for specials at Burrito Wraps.
Perez jokes that it is a good thing his shops remind him of home, because he pretty much lives at the restaurants.
Like many start-up business owners, Perez works around the clock.
When he is not serving customers, he is running the register, ordering groceries or helping general manager Francisco Harnadis (Pictured above with Perez) ready deliveries for callers ordering take-out and delivery.
When he’s not juggling in-shop needs, he’s checking the books, weighing money coming in and money going out, and sometimes wonders if he can make it, but pushes doubts aside and thanks his wife Cheryl, and three children, Chelsea, 20, Gabriella, 17, and Adam, 15—who often helps out at the restaurant—for their support and patience.
“It’s hard to balance everything—the business and time for family,” Perez said.
Perez said he is doing well enough to “keep the doors open,” but hopes word spreads about the restaurants and more customers are introduced to his home-style blend of authentic Mexican food and drink, including Jarritos soda, homemade sangria and margaritas.
Mexican food devotees could not name a restaurant in the area that compares to Burrito Wraps.
“I come all the time. I love it,” said Brockton resident Jesus Arocho, who brought his 16-month old granddaughter Isabella in for a couple of burritos and tacos.
Arocho (Pictured above with Isabella and Harnadis) said he is Puerto Rican, but when he eats food from Burrito Wraps it's like being home.
"There's nowhere around here like this," he said.
Perez said he left the mutual fund industry to open Burrito Wraps. As his own boss, he follows in the footsteps of his father Lorenzo who was a successful businessman selling coal and fire wood to the bakeries and industries near his native San Luis Potosi, a central Mexico city with a population of more than 2 million.
Perez said while he is new to the restaurant business, he is not new to excellent ingredients, creative recipes and outstanding service and is enthusiastic about the restaurant’s future.
“The experience is passion,” Perez said.
Visit Burrito Wraps Mexican Grill website for a complete menu and hours.
(Story originally posted March 14, 2011)