West Roxbury Main Streets’ First Westie Fest is a Success

Hundreds of people enjoyed the spectacular day at West Roxbury Main Street's first annual Westie Fest Fall Festival held at Billings Field last month. The October day saw sunshine and unusually warm seventy degree weather. The festival was filled with entertainment as West Roxbury residents and friends of all ages gathered at Billings Field. “We couldn’t have a better day and a better turnout from the community for this inaugural festival. It was a special day in West Roxbury and we’re so grateful to all who participated in making it happen.”  

Angel Diaz (Center). owner of The Centerpiece Flower Shop, sold fresh cut flower arrangements, plants that include rare and unusual succulents and cacti, organic soaps, and decorative items including pots, vases, pins and magnets.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu stopped by Westie Fest with her children. From left: WRMS Executive Director Jacob Robinson, Thriving Places Co-Founder Jill Eshelman, WRMS Design Committee Volunteer Andy Rodrigue, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, WRMS Board Member Brian Trabish.

 Over fifty vendors participated in the event, including local artisans, small businesses and community organizations t . Sponsors of the event included Boston Main Streets Foundation, Brookline Bank, Design Crossover Architecture and Interiors, Impact Capital Strategies, Metro Credit Union, Parkway Apartments, Rockland Trust, Sazama Real Estate, and Top It Off.  From cupcakes to sweatshirts and jewelry to toys, attendees of Westie Fest were not disappointed with the great products and services brought to them by local business owners.

Best Friends Supplies, a pet accessories and advocacy business based in West Roxbury, was one of the 50+ vendors at the inaugural fall festival.

Meaghan Keenan, owner of Good Karma Candles and lifelong resident of West Roxbury, sets up her table debuting her collections of clean candles.

One of these artisan vendors included Meaghan Keenan, owner ofGood Karma Candles (and WRMS Board Member).  Good Karma Candles creates their scented candles without using harmful chemicals in their ingredients. Keenan said, “It was such an honor to be a part of Westie Fest. Myself and my business, Good Karma Candles, we’re born and raised in West Roxbury. It was amazing to celebrate the community which has supported my business so much. WRMS did a fabulous job with organizing the event and communicating to the vendors. I’m so grateful to have been a part of the event and look forward to doing it again.”

Food vendors present at Westie Fest included Banh Mi Oi, Bertucci’s, and Mig’s Dogs.  Phil Pham from Bahn Mi Oi said, “The event went really well. The weather was especially nice, which the outcome reflected. Jacob and the team at Main Streets were a tremendous support and made the event seamless for us. Staff were also local. The DJ was fantastic. I would really love to see next year expand.” Banh Mi Oi opened in 2020 during the height of the pandemic on Centre Street in West Roxbury. The restaurant provides customers with delicious and authentic Vietnamese cuisine bringing a taste of Vietnam to West Roxbury.

On the softball field, Kelly Maher from K-Energy Fitness MCed the event throughout the day. Kelly did a fantastic job working as the event’s DJ playing upbeat songs that ranged from classics such as the Y.M.C.A as well as brand new music from Taylor Swift. Children of all ages enjoyed gathering around the DJ stand dancing to music, hanging out with friends, and winning prizes at the many different contests held throughout the day. Kelly worked diligently to make sure that all of the children were having an amazing time. Sound and speaker systems were arranged by locally-based Capron Services. 

In addition to the dance contests, children could also participate in Westie Fest’s pumpkin contest. Debbie Lee of Hopscotch Labs ran programs that entertained the children attending Westie Fest. The pumpkin contest received many fantastic entries showing the artistic talents of the attendees.  Next to the pumpkins, children were able to have their faces painted with some opting for spooky Halloween themes.

Top It Off owner Elizabeth Hoenschied models fall fashion with her daughter, Caroline, at Westie Fest’s Fashion Show.

During Westie Fest, owner of Top It Off Elizabeth Hoenschied held a Fall Fashion Show displaying the many fashionable clothes and accessories that Top It Off has to offer. Elizabeth’s daughter Caroline was one of the many Top It Off members modeling in the show. Fashion pieces included plaid jackets, fall scarves, warm shawls, and statement necklaces. 

One of the highlights of Westie Fest included the Dog Costume Contest. There were over twenty great entries. Costumes included a not-so-scary lion, cowboy, and dragon. Viewers packed around the softball field to see the many adorable costumes and hidden talents of the dogs and owners. First place for the Funniest Costume went to Moses the Elf. The Scariest Costume was awarded to Sonny dressed as the infamous doll Chucky. Cutest Costume went to Cricket dressed as a tiger.  Henry the Chocolate Lab took home the prize for Most Original. Finally, the Best Team award went to Annie and Sibling as Skunk and Baby Skunk. The contest was judged by WRMS Board Member Brian Trabish, Boston Police Officer Mark –, and West Roxbury’s Office of Neighborhood Services Liaison, Jake Lacey.

Mayor Michelle Wu stopped by Billings Field to attend Westie Fest. Westie Fest also saw visits from Boston City Councilors Kendra Lara, Ruthzee Louijeune, Julia Mejia. The first Westie Fest was a great success thanks to the hard work of the many vendors and volunteers. West Roxbury Main Streets is looking forward to building Westie Fest Fall Festival into an annual event. 

Kelly Maher— from K-Energy Fitness dances while DJing at Westie Fest.

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Sustainability in Your Local Small Business - A Compelling Case Made by West Roxbury Shop Owners

By Jacob Robinson and Jenna Lang

Despite the commonly-held belief that living in an environmentally-friendly way is expensive and difficult, switching to sustainable practices often saves you lots of money for a little effort. This is especially true for small businesses.  

Large corporations have dedicated staff and resources to improve sustainability and manage their environmental impacts. Unfortunately, small businesses like the mom and pop shops along our Main Streets often aren’t sure where to start. Perhaps surprisingly, it’s one of the most important sectors when it comes to addressing large-scale environmental challenges. Consider that 99.9% of all businesses in the U.S. are small businesses and nearly half of all Americans (47.5%) are employed by small businesses. These statistical viewpoints demonstrate the scale of the opportunity that the small business sector has to protect ecological systems and combat climate change.

Many aspects of small businesses can be made more environmentally and socially responsible — sourcing of materials or ingredients, shipping and packaging, energy-efficiency of equipment and buildings, waste reduction, and water use. Sustainability is also interconnected with other social practices that small businesses may already be engaged in, such as supporting employees and customers of color or advocating for beloved community resources such as parks. We’ve listed a few resources at the end of this article to get you started (Let us know if you have any to add!).

Fortunately, there is a growing movement of small businesses leading the way.

In Spring of 2021, West Roxbury Main Streets partnered with Mothers Out Front West Roxbury/Roslindale Chapter to take part in an innovative, cross-collegiate program through Colleges of the Fenway (COF) that’s focused on addressing local sustainability challenges. The program, organized through the COF’s Center for Sustainability and the Environment, formed a student project team tasked with capturing insights from local business owners that were successfully embedding environmental sustainability into their businesses.

The student group interviewed the owners of Ashmont Cleaners, Delini Gelato, and Waves Car Wash about how they have embedded sustainability into the operations of their small businesses. 

[Check out this video we produced to hear why these business owners see sustainability as a business priority.]

Our small businesses in West Roxbury are city leaders in sustainability, and they are seeing great business benefits for their work. 

Delini Gelato, located at 5 Bellevue Street, embeds sustainability practices across all of their operations.

Delini Gelato has made sustainability a core operating principle. Owner Viki Petkova uses all organic ingredients (many from local farms) to make her gelato, which she serves with compostable cups and spoons.  Customers support her environmentally-friendly practices (and delicious gelato) by returning to her shop. In her second year of operations, she excitedly reported that “99% of my customers from last season are coming back this season.”  

Ashmont Cleaners is located at 2046 Centre Street in West Roxbury’s Main Street district. Their machines save on water, energy, maintenance, and produce less chemical waste than conventional technology.

Ashmont Cleaners, a local dry cleaning business, understands the business case for sustainable practices.  Andrew Kourus, the owner, found that a sustainable washing machine helped grow his customer base.  He told our team, “There are people that will actually travel 30 minutes to come to my shop, which is kind of unusual for a dry cleaner, knowing that I am using one of the eco-friendly [machines].”  The new machines also save on water, energy, and maintenance costs, as well as produce less chemical waste. 

The students also spoke with Adam Korngold, the owner of Waves Car Wash. Many car washes are energy- and water-intensive operations. With a more sustainable water system, installation of rooftop solar panels, and LED light bulbs, Adam can now wash a car using only 20 gallons of water (many car washes use over 100), and he saves over 30% on his electricity bill. When asked for his advice to other business owners, he said, “Businesses should always look at the different rebates that are available and invest in new technology that’s going to save them money in the long term and give them sustainability. There’s a lot of sustainability that makes economic sense.”  

Waves Car Wash, powered by on-site PV solar panels, is located at 1680 VFW Parkway in West Roxbury.

Adam’s advice summed up our key takeaways from this project. Making a small business more sustainable is often not only good for the planet, but also for business. Sustainable practices help West Roxbury’s small businesses bring in new customers, retain existing customers, and save on operating costs.

Their sustainable practices also support other local businesses, such as the farms that source Delini’s ingredients or the energy company that installed Waves’ solar panels.  

As many businesses are already exploring new models and practices due to the pandemic, now is a great time to also consider making a small business more sustainable. There are many resources available to help a small business become more environmentally-friendly. A few are listed below. West Roxbury Main Streets and Mothers Out Front are also available for more personalized advice and support. All of West Roxbury’s small businesses deserve the cost-saving benefits that sustainable practices can offer, and all of West Roxbury’s residents deserve the environmental benefits of a greener neighborhood.  

Sustainability Resources for Boston Small Businesses: 

• Zero Waste Resources for Businesses (City of Boston)

• Retrofit Resource Hub (City of Boston) 

• Climate and Energy Leadership Council (Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce)

• Climate Action Business Association

• Mass Save

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WRMS extends a special thanks to our local Mothers Out Front chapter and also to Colleges of the Fenway’s Center for Sustainability and the Environment, and the student project team, which consisted of Ben Clough, Josey Wermuth, and Oscar Rodriguez.

Reimagining Open Spaces in West Roxbury's Main Street District

By Jacob Robinson, Executive Director

West Roxbury Main Streets (WRMS) is excited to let the community know about its latest project to demonstrate the potential of open spaces to add vibrancy in West Roxbury's commercial corridor along Centre Street. Earlier this month, WRMS installed temporary outdoor seating and new planters along the Tim White Way pedestrian pathway, named after the beloved West Roxbury resident who passed in 2017. Soon the space will also include another temporary art exhibit similar to the student posters that were displayed along the fence over the winter.  

Jacob Robinson, Executive Director of WRMS, said "The enhancement of open public spaces can become catalysts that help bring new retail investments and additional enhancements and beautification of the physical spaces in West Roxbury’s Main Street district." The new seating and landscaping will enable WRMS to test and demonstrate concepts that the organization wants to implement in the final design, such as seating, landscaping, and community art that draws people into the space. "The serenity of the locust trees makes it a relaxing and quiet spot for reading or meeting someone for a coffee or lunch," added Robinson. The pilot project was made possible by a grant from the Boston Main Streets Foundation to implement innovative initiatives that drive impact in our Main Street districts across the City.

"We’re eager to engage with the community for feedback on the pilot project, and we’ll be hanging a few flyers with QR codes so that people can submit input from their phones when they pass through the space or sit at the tables." said Dean Koutris, WRMS Board Member who's a part of the committee re-envisioning Tim White Way. Koutris also added that having well designed public spaces can help bring additional foot traffic to local small businesses in the neighborhood.  

WRMS recently hired Goode Landscape Studio to develop updated designs based on our initial engagement with community members and abutters. The updated designs will be used to prepare the project for fundraising opportunities. Courtney Goode, Founding Principal of Goode Landscape Studio, said "We are working on concepts that will make Tim White Way more welcoming and open. We want the space to offer flexibility and allow for diverse uses including community gatherings, interacting with public art, or enjoying a quiet moment amid new planting and seating elements.” 

Tim White Way is public property owned by the City of Boston, so WRMS will be working closely with City departments as the design project moves forward. WRMS received initial design concepts to redesign Tim White Way in February 2020 as part of the Payette MLK Day of Service. 

Earlier this year, WRMS hired Thriving Places Collaborative to engage the community with the design concepts and capture additional ideas for transforming the space. "We're excited to bring our expertise in placemaking, community engagement, and project administration to support WRMS and the Tim White Way transformation," said Lauren Goldberg, Co-Founder of Thriving Places Collaborative along with her business partner Jill Eshelman. Eshelman, whose background is in social research, added "The pilot project and community engagement is an important piece of this work for ensuring we have a full picture of the community's wants and needs for its open spaces."

The space was last updated over 15 years ago as part of the post office redevelopment in a project that also involved WRMS’s design committee. To learn more about the project, timeline, and opportunities to provide input, visit wrms.org/tim-white-way. 

Outdoor Dining Options in West Roxbury's Main Street District

When you're out in the district this summer, remember to #LoveLocalSafely. We’ve put together a list of local hotspots with outdoor seating along Centre Street and Spring Street in the West Roxbury Main Street district.

Click on the images below to visit the business’s website for more information.

RECREO COFFEE

PORTER CAFE

WEST ON CENTRE

WESTBURY RESTAURANT

ROX DINER

JOE'S 320 CAFE

CORRIB PUB

BONAPITA

Main Street’s Districts Host Mayoral Forum focused on Improving Boston’s Neighborhoods

Main Street’s Districts Host Mayoral Forum focused on Improving Boston’s Neighborhoods

On August 10, 2021 the coalition of 20 independent nonprofits that make up Boston’s Main Streets districts will convene a Mayoral Candidate Forum to ask tough questions and hear how each candidate plans to support, sustain and advance healthy commercial districts throughout Boston’s neighborhoods via the Main Street’s program.

“As a collective, we want the businesses, residents and community organizations that make up each Main Street district to know where the candidates for Mayor stand on issues impacting the revitalization and quality of life in their neighborhoods.” says Aidan McDonough, Brighton Main Streets Executive Director and Board Member to the Boston Main Streets Foundation.

How do each of the candidates plan to further the work Main Streets together?

The Boston Main Streets Mayoral Forum is set to take place on Tuesday August 10, 2021 (with a rain date of Wednesday August 25, 2021). This two hour event will run from 5:00-7:00PM.

Limited in-person seating is available in a covid safe environment at the Blair Lot of Nubian Square, 1127 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02119. The Forum will also be live broadcast on Facebook Live. Bob Seay of WGBH will be the moderator for this event.

Boston Main Streets started in 1983, when then City Councilor Thomas M. Menino brought Main Street to Roslindale. Ten neighborhood commercial districts were designated as Boston Main Street programs in 1995 following a citywide competition. Ten more districts were designated over the next 10 years. The final district was designated in 2016. The network of 20 independent nonprofit Main Streets organizations exists across Boston. Main Streets use a comprehensive revitalization approach to create, build, and sustain healthy commercial districts.

For further information on the Mayoral Forum contact your local Main Street Director or Jeanne Dasaro at exec@greaterashmont.org.

Special thank you to the Boston Main Street Foundation for sponsoring this event.

CONTACT: Jeanne Dasaro

Greater Ashmont Main Streets

617-825-3846

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Process kicks off to transform West Roxbury's Tim White Way

By Lauren Goldberg, Co-Founder of Thriving Places Collaborative
This post originally appeared on https://www.thrivingplacescollaborative.com/

The entrance of Tim White Way on Centre Street in West Roxbury. Photo by Jill Eshelman

Nestled into the heart of West Roxbury's Centre Street district, Tim White Way gives pedestrian access from the Highland train station to local shops, the post office, and restaurants. In 2019, the brick-lined pedestrian walkway was renamed during a ceremony attended by Mayor Marty Walsh and a number of community members honoring Tim White, a beloved West Roxbury resident who passed away in 2017.

West Roxbury Main Streets, a local non-profit working to keep the business district vibrant, identified Tim White Way as an opportunity - one that would re-purpose and re-energize the space beyond its current state. Other than Millennium Park, the district has few other public green spaces. West Roxbury Main Streets sees the transformation of Tim White Way as the first installation of a potential system of pocket parks sprinkled throughout the area. The ultimate goal is to provide residents with a walkable series of lively places to explore, to gather for community events, to eat and drink goods from local restaurants, or to simply rest and take in the scenery.

In January 2020, West Roxbury Main Streets participated in a Martin Luther King Day of Service hosted by local architecture firm Payette. After a one-day design charrette, a team of designers presented mockups and visuals that serve as a starting point for the redesign. Once the pandemic hit, the project was placed on hold while West Roxbury Main Streets focused on providing support to businesses in the district.

Now, with Thriving Places Collaborative’s services, the Tim White Way project is once again moving forward!

A rendering by Payette showing an inspirational design concept for Tim White Way in West Roxbury.

As project managers, we've already started collaborating with West Roxbury Main Streets, engaging community partners and residents throughout the process. We’re gathering ideas from these stakeholders on ways to add public art, revamped landscaping, lights, modular furniture, and other design elements to help create a unique identity for the space.

And as we approach more stakeholders about the project, the more support it gains. We recently met with Tim White's family to learn more about Tim and values that he lived by, brainstorming small ways to incorporate this into the project. They were thrilled knowing that "Timmy's" welcoming and friendly spirit would live on in this way. Members of the Roche Bros. grocery store leadership team and the owners of the Brigham & Women's Health Administrative building, abutters of Tim White Way, have both expressed excitement to see the space brightened up. The transformation also aligns with the City of Boston's initiative backing "tactical" (easy and low-cost) interventions that re-energize public spaces.

We are honored and excited to work alongside West Roxbury Main Streets to bring this placemaking project to fruition. Stay tuned as we continue to gather community input, partner with community organizations, and coordinate the transformation of Tim White Way into a bustling community hub and a centerpiece that will make the people of West Roxbury proud to call their own.

LOVE LOCAL This Winter: How We Can Help Ensure Our Businesses Survive

Traditionally, late fall is such a fun time in West Roxbury. Snowflakes on lampposts. Twinkling lights in store front windows. A decorated tree by the Hastings parking lot. Red bows and wreaths on doors. Blue and white lights on shrubs. We’ve already adapted and modified our Halloween celebration on Centre Street to a joy-filled “Trunks or Treats” distanced gathering. Once again our business owners pitched in to celebrate with us.

This December our various holidays and holy days will be celebrated differently as well. By now, we all have heard that this season and the winter that follows will have us indoors and more distanced from others. But that shouldn’t stop us from enjoying and supporting our community. Our small businesses and the people who work in them are a large part of what makes West Roxbury such a wonderfully livable and walkable place.

Whether your favorite local businesses are restaurants or retail and service businesses, our choosing to turn to them rather than national big box companies will make a real difference in keeping these places in our lives. Here are a few suggestions for how we can all help our businesses succeed during the upcoming Covid-19 holiday and winter seasons. 

• Fill your gift buying needs with products and gift cards from local stores.

• Send your favorite businesses a care package, including hand sanitizer, masks and maybe a nice box of chocolates : - )

• Buy items in larger quantities so you don’t have to go out so much. (Ex., printer paper.)

• Set up recurring future deliveries or curb pick-ups as gifts to friends and relatives: maybe even to clients. (Ex., flowers, wine, food, hats/scarfs/gloves, etc.) 

• If your purchases go to others in the area, how about sending a basket with items and gift cards from several of your favorite West Roxbury businesses.

Wishing you safe and warm holiday and winter seasons. Thanks for all you do to keep our community whole.

Karen Bishop, Elizabeth Hoenscheid, and Kanessa Alexander

Board Members, West Roxbury Main Streets

New Café - Banh Mi Oi - Brings “Secret” Family Recipe to West Roxbury’s Growing Food Scene

By Jonathan Pappas

Xin Chào, West Roxbury!

Earlier this month, Banh Mi Oi celebrated its Grand Opening on Centre Street with the support of West Roxbury Main Streets and local representatives. It is the third business to open in West Roxbury during COVID-19. Lines of people waited outside the door to try authentic Vietnamese cuisine and specialty coffee imported directly from this Southeast Asian country known for its street food, coffee and beautiful landscapes.

Residents seem to be happy that co-owners Phi Pham (27) and fiancé Yeanie Bach (28) chose Westie as their new home. “We sold out of food the first three out of four days we were open (during our soft launch),” said Phi. “We really underestimated the level of support from West Roxbury and the surrounding neighborhoods right from the start.” Demand remains strong for their Vietnamese coffee and signature banh mi sandwiches.

Specialty coffee beans are imported from an eco-friendly coffee farm in Da Lat, a mountainous retreat often referred to as The City of Flowers in Central Vietnam. Because of the temperate climate, frequent rain and shaded sun, the region is ideal for growing certain crops and flowers that can’t grow anywhere else in the country, including coffee trees.

WRMS Executive Director, Jacob Robinson, with Phi and Yeanie at the Grand Opening.

The house-made egg yolk mayonnaise spread on each banh mi sandwich is an original family recipe. It takes up to 45 minutes to make a large batch, with (“a secret”) number of stirs per minute while adding olive oil slowly every 10 seconds. “If you do one thing wrong, you have to throw the batch away,” says Yeanie. “The temperature is important for the final result.”

Growing up, Yeanie learned first-hand all the tricks and techniques of cooking traditional Vietnamese food. “My mom was a street vendor in downtown Saigon,” says Yeanie.  “She would prepare the food in our kitchen and sell it right outside of our house. People would travel from all over the city to eat her banh mi.”

If Yeanie brings the cooking chops to the café, Phi adds the flare to the customer experience. Prior to opening Banh Mi Oi, Phi worked as a photographer and set designer for brands like Burberry and Gucci. He bought the 60-year-old wooden shelves and benches seen inside the café at a New Hampshire barn and various other items at antique stores around the city.

“Before the war, Saigon was a very trendy city influenced by French and European culture,” says Phi. “For Banh Mi Oi, we wanted to establish a similar feel by creating a warm and inviting environment that gives a retro vibe aesthetically, and where the food doesn’t just taste good but looks good too. I can entice people to come in; Yeanie makes them stay. She takes great pride in her work.”

Phi, who was born in L.A. and grew up in New Hampshire, met Yeanie at a Vietnamese meet-up two years ago. On their first date, they walked their dogs on the shore in Portland, NH. They started exploring different neighborhoods in Boston and decided to open their first café in West Roxbury because “the neighborhood was unknown to us at the time, and that makes getting to know this neighborhood and its residents much more fulfilling.”

While the two entrepreneurs have postponed their wedding date to invest time and energy in making their café successful, they are excited to be officially part of the West Roxbury community. For example, they started to build a “Wall of Memories” featuring photos of local community members visiting their café. 

“Our first customers were a local Westie couple, Louise and Willy,” says Phi. “They came back after they ate to say our spring rolls were some of the best they had ever had, and they would be back tomorrow. We couldn’t have felt more supported starting up, and we’re excited to be here. We want to be here a long time.”

Quick Vietnam Facts: 

·       “Banh Mi Oi” – “Hey, sandwich!”

·       Population - 96 million

·       Distance from Boston to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) - 8,768 miles

·       Direct flight from Boston to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) - 16 hours, 44 minutes

West Roxbury Scores a “PERFECT 10”

By Jonathan Pappas

For Kanessa Alexander, moving her salon – Perfect 10 – to West Roxbury from Dorchester was always part of the plan.

Kanessa Alexander, Owner of Perfect 10 Unisex Salon

“I love West Roxbury,” says the 43-year old mother of four daughters.  “People here are friendly and supportive.  The neighborhood is becoming much more diverse.  That’s why I wanted to be here.  I understand the need for representation, and I’d like to help be a part of the conversation that moves things forward.”

Born and raised in Hyde Park, Kanessa is no stranger to the neighborhood.  Her youngest sister and two of her daughters attended classes at Julianne's Dance Workshop on McKenna Terrace.  Kanessa also took cosmetology courses at (the former) Bojack Beauty Academy. 

When she opened Perfect 10 five years ago on Centre St., she was one of few Black women-owned businesses in the neighborhood. 

“Several of my first customers were older women,” she explained.  “They came in, welcomed me to West Roxbury and asked where I was from.  I said I was excited to be in Westie, and that I was a Bostonian and grew up in Hyde Park.  They then followed up with: ‘That’s nice.  Where are you originally from?”

Kanessa went on. 

“Don’t get me wrong…you should care who’s coming into your community.  I’m like that when I go to new places.  You try and get a feel for things, I understand that.  People have been very open and responsive to me.  I love my neighbors.  If anyone wants to have a conversation about race, please come in.  I will listen.  We can talk.” 

Being community-based and supportive of people from all walks of life runs in Kanessa’s DNA. 

She is the middle child of five siblings.  Her parents married in their late teens.

Her father, Sergeant John Burns, was a Boston firefighter for nearly nine years before he transitioned over to the Boston Police Department, becoming the longest-serving police sergeant serving Dorchester.  Her mother, Mary, was a stay-at-home mom. 

“That’s one thing we always had growing up - strong family support,” she says.  “My mom would attend all the school meetings and drive us around to various sports and activities in the minivan.  She was that mom.”

Elected Class President during her senior year at (the former) Hyde Park High where she graduated in 1995, Kanessa kept herself busy with schoolwork, cheerleading and serving as the leader of various clubs, including the Multicultural Club, Mayor’s Youth Council and Creative Action Committee.

“I had a wonderful high school experience.  I put myself out there.  I wanted to be around people, and always found myself in a position where I could advocate for them.  People have always motivated me.  I just want to help whoever I can however I can and being involved with so many school clubs allowed me to do that.  I have the attitude of let’s get it done.  And let’s get it done together.”

During the summers of her junior and senior year, she earned an internship with Putnam Investments as part of Hyde Park High’s Academy of Finance program. 

“What a rewarding experience,” she says.  “I learned so much about the business and finance world which has helped me navigate my own entrepreneurial journey.”

After high school graduation, Kanessa attended Community College for a year where she studied psychology and human resources.  She was offered a full-time job with Putnam but decided to pass on the opportunity to pursue her childhood passion – cosmetology. 

“My friends and family were surprised to say the least,” she admits.  “They thought I could build a successful career with Putnam and do hair as a side hustle.  I was embarrassed talking about it at first.  Back then, there was no social media, TV shows or podcasts that have really helped our industry grow in recent years, especially through pop culture.  But I knew I would get stuck if I took the job.” 

After completing cosmetology classes at Bojack in 1998, Kanessa took advantage of an opportunity to open her own salon in Dorchester.   

“I had no idea how to run a business, but like everything in life, I was going to figure it out.”

She named her salon Perfect 10.  

“Growing up, I’d walk into a salon to have my hair done, and I loved the energy and the vibe.  I’d get this positive feeling being in this environment where everyone wants to look good and feel good.  I realized that’s what I want to give to my clients – a confidence-boosting experience. I want my clients to have the best possible experience coming into my shop and walk out feeling like a Perfect 10.”

Her business was successful for years until she decided to put her career on hold after becoming pregnant with twin daughters.

Once her kids became school-age, she went back to pursuing her passion.  She worked as a hair stylist downtown on Newbury Street for several years before reopening Perfect 10 in West Roxbury in February 2015.

In January 2020, Kanessa was invited to join the Board of West Roxbury Main Streets.  Always one to put community first, she welcomed the opportunity. 

“It’s so encouraging to serve on a Board with other like-minded leaders who care deeply about seeing West Roxbury continue to thrive and prosper.  They share the same passion as I do in implementing ideas that help serve people in our neighborhood.  At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about – helping others succeed.”   

Kanessa’s philosophy on life has been ingrained into her staff of four stylists who support her vision. 

She shares the story of one stylist, Shakeita, who has worked with her for ten months. 

“I’ve seen so much growth in her; she has been doing amazing work.  A few weeks ago, I saw on social media that someone posted about the anniversary of her brother’s passing.  She didn’t tell me about it.  To honor her brother, we recently had a promotion of 20% off all services if you mention KING JAMES or #1221.  I encourage my staff to share things that are important to them because everyone has a story to tell.  If that helps push us to advance our careers, I want to recognize that.” 

PANDEMIC STRIKES

Like millions of other small businesses, Perfect 10 took a massive hit when the quarantine began. 

“We saw first-hand how bad it got, but you just have to keep a positive attitude and prepare for when you can reopen again.”

Perfect 10 reopened on May 28 after nearly three months of closed doors. 

“It was hectic that first week.  We were getting inundated with calls for appointments.   Everyone was in dire need of treatment,” she laughs. 

But she admits things are getting slower again.

“Aside from the essentials, I think people are treading carefully where they go in public.  The Governor and the Mayor have done an amazing job and our state has been ahead of the curve.  With more people staying home, it’s working. Heathy people will help the economy.”

Always doing her part, Kanessa’s first priority was to establish a safe environment for clients and her staff.

“We only serve one client at a time per stylist.  If a client is coming in and service is going to take three hours, the stylist won’t have another customer for three hours.”

The team at Perfect 10.

While Kanessa admits that business could be better in the COVID-19 era, she continues to remain upbeat and has taken to Instagram to share her knowledge and keep connected with her clients and community, some of whom come all the way from New York to see her.    

“Our industry can be incredibly competitive.  Some of my peers won’t share information on new trends and how to service different hair styles, for example.  But for me, I love to mentor.  Whatever I learn, I pass on to others because I wish I had that coming up in this business.  Sharing only makes the industry so much better for everyone, but most importantly, the clients who we are honored to serve.”

According to Kanessa, Perfect 10’s mission is to provide an experience that goes far beyond just a hair appointment.

After being denied service from several other salons because her hair was perceived to be “too difficult” to style, she set out determined to cultivate a salon environment where clients not only feel welcomed but feel like they belong.   That’s why Kanessa has focused on teaching her staff to service all hair types and textures. 

“It doesn’t matter if you’re Black, White, Latino(a), Asian, LGBTQ, older, younger, have a Boston accent or not.  Perfect 10 is for everyone.  I’ve worked hard to create an inclusive culture where people from all walks of life can come in, decompress, share thoughts and opinions if they’d like.  We will always bring that positive energy to your experience with us so that you not only walk out looking like a Perfect 10.  You feel like one too.”

Perhaps it’s only fitting that her store welcome mat reads:  Good Vibes Only.

89 Years of Living in West Roxbury: WWII Vet Jack Casey Takes a Look Back

By Jonathan Pappas

At 95, Jack Casey is sharp as a tack.

“I eat a lot of grapefruit and a lot of chocolate candy. Not at the same time,” says the lifelong West Roxbury native and World War II veteran.

Mr. Casey was born on January 19, 1925 and grew up on Landseer Street. He attended the Randall G. Morris Elementary School on Wren Street.

In the 20s and 30s, he attended mass at the old St. Theresa’s Church, a small wood-framed building near the corner of Centre and Spring Streets where the Shell gas station and Dunkin Donuts are located.  He and his friends would go to boxing matches held in the church basement.  

(See photos of the old St. Theresa’s Church here on Pages 49-50 in noted historian and author Anthony Mitchell Sammarco’s West Roxbury.)

Back then, Billings Field was the epicenter of activity, sports and entertainment.  

Check out this brief memoir from “West Roxbury girl” Gertrude Kenney Blais whose grandfather Charles J. Jacobs built the school as well as many of the houses along Oriole and Wren Streets. Nearby Gertrude Road is named after her.

“They’ve made improvements over the years and added a playground, but the bleachers are still the same bleachers,” he laughs.   

“We used to have carnivals there too.  I remember there was a daredevil who climbed to a very tall pole similar to today’s cell phone tower and jumped into a small pool.  And every winter, they would flood the field so the kids could play hockey.  Billings Field was where you went to have fun.  Then we would head over to the local variety store where the Corrib Pub is and get a Coca Cola.”

During his early teenage years, Mr. Casey played a right-handed first baseman for the West Roxbury Murphy Club coached by Westie native Vinny Murphy. 

He worked as a grocery clerk for First National Stores, a grocery store chain where Ashmont Cleaners and Anna’s Donuts now stand.   

“I’d be on the swinging ladder getting groceries on the shelves for people.  It was a small store, but it’s where everyone did their food shopping back then.”  

He attended Boston Latin High School and was inducted into the BLS Athletic Hall of Fame after playing four sports for the Wolfpack.  He would commute every day by Streetcar.  You could get from the Charles River Stop (Joe’s Café) to downtown Huntington Avenue in 30 minutes, he says. 

See this short video of the West Roxbury, Roslindale and Dedham street car.

After graduating in 1943, Mr. Casey enlisted in the army, and spent the next three years serving as staff sergeant in Hawaii and Japan during World War II. 

When he returned to West Roxbury after the war, he attended Boston College and met his soon-to-be wife and Brookline native Rita who was his cousin’s roommate at Newton Wellesley School of Nursing.  

“My cousin set us up on a blind date in 1946.  I took her to the Cleveland Circle movie theater, and we saw The Red Shoes.”  

They married in 1950, and moved to Portland, Maine for a brief period where Mr. Casey worked at Sears.

It wasn’t long before West Roxbury was calling him back home. In 1958, the couple moved to his current home of 62 years on Park Terrace where he and Rita raised their seven children. By then, the streetcar had been removed from Centre Street and the VFW Parkway had recently finished construction. He worked as a salesman for Rubbermaid until retirement in 1988.  

A photo of Jack Casey and his beloved late wife, Rita.

Life in West Roxbury was good for the Casey family.  Mr. Casey coached his sons on the Parkway Little League White Sox team.  Mrs. Casey ran a nursing home on Wren Street and did a lot of business with West Roxbury legend Steve Slyne.  They would do all their clothes shopping at Decelle’s, eat at Centre Lunch where last call was 1am (Squealing Pig’s current location) and get their ice cream at Friendly’s and Brigham’s.  On Friday nights, they would often enjoy dinner at The Corrib Pub and Tony’s Place.

These days, “Booka,” as he’s lovingly referred to by his family, spends a lot of time with his 23 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren (soon to be 13 after his granddaughter Kathleen and her husband Rob Kane welcome twins this September).  

For all who want to age well and continue living healthy lives, Mr. Casey has these tips to share:

1. When you retire, volunteer for something.  Giving back is the greatest thing in the world.  “I worked as a volunteer for West Roxbury Main Streets several years ago.  I also volunteered at the Ohrenberger School, and was playing with kids from 3-5 years old.  It was a lot of fun.”

2. Keep busy.  Be social.  Join community groups.  “Every Spring and Fall, I attend the Lifelong Learning program at Regis (LLARC) for 10 weeks.  We are all adult students, and being a part of this group gives me a chance to learn and to meet new people.”

3. Stay active.  “When I’m not reading detective books, I walk up and down my 13-step stairs every day.  I also go for one-hour long car rides with my daughter.”

After 89 years of living in West Roxbury, Mr. Casey perhaps summed it up best about being a Westie native.  

“I love it here.  It has always been a great place to live, grow up and raise a family.  Everybody likes everybody.  Although Centre Street is a lot busier now than it was when I was a kid.  We really need Decelle’s and Friendly’s back.”

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BONAPITA Brings 125 Years of Baking Tradition to West Roxbury

By Jonathan Pappas

When chef entrepreneur Ilan Barniv was scouting locations for his first restaurant venture in 2013, he walked into 49 Franklin St. near Downtown Crossing, and instantly knew this was where he would open BONAPITA, a healthy Mediterranean-inspired bakery and grill.    

The space, which had been vacant for over 10 years before Barniv opened in May 2014, is a historic site that once served as home to Boston’s first Catholic church (The Holy Cross Church) designed by renowned architect Charles Bulfinch.  

“It’s pretty dark when you walk into the building because there are no windows,” said Barniv.  “But then I saw light coming from the back and envisioned that’s where the kitchen would be.  The kitchen would be the light at the end of the tunnel.”  

Nearly six years later, BONAPITA has fast become one of the City’s most popular quick-service lunch spots, accommodating over 200 guests per hour, and average 500 a day, that include office workers, tourists and the occasional international celebrity.    

Chef Ilan Barniv

“The healthy Mediterranean diet is not a diet,” said Barniv.  “It’s a way of life.  That’s why everything on the menu we make from scratch in our kitchens.  From the pita, to the hummus, to the pickles, to the sauces.  Everything we cook is made fresh every day.”

Last month, BONAPITA celebrated its one-year anniversary since opening its second location on 77 Spring Street in West Roxbury.  

“West Roxbury was a perfect location for us because we wanted to bring our healthy eating concept to a family-friendly environment,” said Barniv.  “This neighborhood is growing fast.  There’s new residential construction everywhere on Centre Street.  Young families are moving here in record numbers.”  

Unlike the downtown location (open from 11:00-3:00pm), BONAPITA’s West Roxbury branch (open from 11:00-8:00pm) offers guests an intimate dining experience while keeping a bit of Boston’s history alive.  The original lamps and lighting fixtures from the old Holy Cross Church hang from the ceiling and metal art hangs above the windows.

With a new surround sound system, full espresso bar, ice cream station, kids menu and plans to open for breakfast in March (including introducing a new kids’ menu), demand for the Israeli-born chef’s nutritious Mediterranean cuisine has spread fast.  

Perhaps it should come as no surprise though; baking has run in Barniv’s family for nearly 125 years.  “It’s in my blood,” he explained.  

BONAPITA’s West Roxbury location is 77 Spring Street in the Star Market Plaza.

In 1896, Barniv’s great-great-grandfather, Moshe Dov Lendner, built a house over a working well in Old Jerusalem.  He moved his family to the second-floor apartment and built a small oven on the first floor.  Using clean water from the well to make fresh challah each day, slowly but surely, more and more neighbors began to trickle in asking for bread. It wasn’t long before Lendner Bakery opened, and instantly became a hit in the town.

“It really doesn’t get much fresher than that,” reflected Barniv who discovered his passion for baking during those early childhood years working in his family’s bakery.  In fact, the name Bonapita is a blend of the bread he grew up baking combined with the French phrase “Bon Appétit” (or “good appetite”), meaning “That’s a good pita.”

View a short video here to learn the art of bread-making at Ilan’s 123-year-old family bakery in Jerusalem.

“It’s in my blood.”

Ilan moved to America in August 2001 to attend culinary school at Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island.  After graduating with an MBA in 2003, he began managing three restaurants and a bakery in Providence named Daily Bread Bakery.

When that business was sold in 2010, Barniv began working on his business plan for BONAPITA.“I always knew I wanted to open my own restaurant that inspired people to eat healthy for an affordable price,” said Barniv.  To make ends meet until he was ready for launch, he worked as a private chef and catered for businesses and private functions.  

“Growing up, I was exposed to many different types of flavors, spices and cooking techniques because Israel is a melting pot of Mediterranean cultures,” continued Barniv.  “I tried lots of different recipes when I had my catering business to see what people liked.  It was basically my Bonapita test kitchen.”

From fan favorite Chicken a la Plancha (marinated overnight in BONAPITA's spice mix, roasted and cooked on a blazing hot plancha) to the Chickpea Zucchini Falafel, there are delicious options for everyone.  Barniv may have opened BONAPITA to inspire healthy eating, but his larger goal is to help underserved people and build community.   

“When you have a mission, nothing can stop you.”

Bonapita’s Downtown Boston location on 49 Franklin Street is located in the former location of The Holy Cross Church designed by renowned architect Charles Bulfinch.

He partners with JVS Boston, one of the largest workforce development organizations dedicated to empowering individuals from diverse communities to find employment and build careers in New England, to attract talent.  One of his employees, for example, lived in an African refugee camp for seven years.  He also offers job opportunities to high school and college students interested in learning more about the art of baking.  In addition, he gives away any extra food leftover from the day to Pine Street Inn, a homeless shelter.  

With two restaurants, over 30 employees and a busy catering department, Barniv plans to continue spreading his message of inspiring people to live a healthy lifestyle.  He’s already partnering with hospitals and universities to bring BONAPITA’s food menu into their cafeterias.   

“My next initiative is to partner with local elementary schools because I believe that it’s critical to educate young kids early on about the importance of a highly nutritious diet,” said Barniv.  “When you have a mission, nothing can stop you.”

Seemingly, the light at the end of the tunnel continues to grow brighter for Ilan and his ever-increasing following.