Showing posts with label Cafe Dolce. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cafe Dolce. Show all posts

Monday, January 30, 2012

Goodbye Cafe Dolce!

Sad to say but Cafe Dolce is no longer operating. It closed today. This was confirmed via email with owner BJ Carlucci, "Unfortunately I had to close the cafe. It was one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make."


For the memories and good times, you can also review photos from the archives







Sunday, April 10, 2011

Downtown walk around

Our Saturday morning walk to and around downtown Franklin presented a few photo opportunities.

First up was the line up of the ark and occupants at the First Federated Church

The Ark and occupants


Acapulcos has a new sign on their window. Free wifi with a catch; it is only good from 11:00 AM through 3:00 PM.

Free wifi with a catch


Heading for Cafe Dolce I noticed that the flower boxes have been removed. Must be getting fixed up in time for the Spring installation of flowers in May by the Downtown Partnership.

Flower boxes removed


What have you noticed around Franklin, now that we can all get out and around a bit with the better weather?


Franklin, MA

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Franklin won't have to go as far

Bostonians who crave locally brewed Red Barn Coffee now have to look a bit harder or walk a bit farther to get a cup of their favorite java.


Fortunately, Franklinites don't have to go far to get Red Barn. This is the coffee served by Cafe Dolce!



Read the article in the Boston Globe West section today



Franklin, MA

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Happy Anniversary, Cafe Dolce!

Hard to believe but one year ago today, Cafe Dolce officially held it's grand opening party!


Congratulations to BJ, Dave and all your helpers to make this a great place for coffee, etc. in downtown Franklin!

The slideshow with photos from the opening one year ago can be found here:
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/04/grand-opening-cafe-dolce.html







Franklin, MA

Monday, March 29, 2010

"encourage people to shop downtown"

"We wanted to be part of the rebuilding of downtown, we think that's a very very exciting thing," she said. "But there are a lot of challenges to being downtown, the most predominant one is people don't think of downtown as a place to shop."
Phil Bellino, owner of Bellino's Italian American Dining on 30 Main St., agrees there's not much business from neighbors.
Bellino, who has been in Franklin for over two years, was the part owner of the now-defunct Vallee's Italian Restaurant in Woonsocket.
Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here

While the article is depressing, it should be noted that while Art Beat is closing Cafe Dolce opened Dolce Express and Maguro House opened both within the past month. There are reasons to go downtown.

Yes, parking is an issue. Yes, I am concerned about the move to the 2-way street. As a commuter and frequent users of the train station, how long will it take for folks to get out of the station parking lot with 2-way traffic? I am looking forward to the additional planning sessions that were announced but not yet scheduled (that I know of) to participate in the downtown planning process.

For the record, I am a contributing member of the Downtown Partnership and United Regional Chamber of Commerce to help understand the needs of businesses, especially because business reflects the heartbeat of Franklin.


Thursday, March 4, 2010

Dolce Express Ribbon Cutting

The United Regional Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon ceremony Wednesday morning, March 3rd for Dolce Express. They just opened in the former Choo-Choo Stop location at the Franklin/Dean Train station.

What was the ribbon ceremony like? This video will get you a good feel for it.




Saturday, February 6, 2010

Businesses opening

1 - As pictured here earlier, Cafe Dolce is expanding to the former Choo Choo shop at the downtown Franklin/Dean College station. Conversation with BJ and his father reveals they are looking to open next week. The place has been freshly painted, tables and chairs cleaned and painted. Additional works and final permits are required but with a little luck they intend to open next week.

A better outside photo than the one in the early morning light on Thursday:


The coffee will be brewing soon:


2 - And Maguro House, a Japanese restaurant, will opening this month at the corner of the building opposite from Cafe Dolce.

Updated 2/25/10
The Grand Opening Party is scheduled for Sunday, February 28th from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM


These are good signs for downtown!

Friday, February 5, 2010

Cafe Dolce expands to train station

I took the train into Boston on Thursday for a conference and was pleased to find this sign over the door at the former Choo-Choo shop.


Jane Curran had left me know they were going to expand. I haven't caught up with BJ or Dave yet but when I do, I'll provide additional info on when they open.

Hard to believe it is almost a year ago that they opened downtown (4/13/09)! You can view the photo slide show of the opening day here
http://franklinmatters.blogspot.com/2009/04/grand-opening-cafe-dolce.html


Saturday, September 26, 2009

Catherine C Haynes and Cafe Dolce

The featured artist this month at Cafe Dolce is Catherine C Haynes.

She has worked in a variety of mediums and her current work emphasis is pastels in a traditional landscape format.
Her work will be displayed at Cafe Dolce through November 8th.


Discover Simple, Private Sharing at Drop.io

For more information on the artist, please visit her web site here



Tuesday, September 22, 2009

America on the Move - Wed 9/23 - 12:00

As part of the YMCA America on the Move, member of the Franklin Downtown Partnership

will be walking downtown for 30 minutes on

Wednesday, September 23rd at 12:00 noon.


They will be meeting in front of Cafe Dolce.


Please come and join them for a walk downtown.


For more information you can go to www.hockymca.org

Friday, September 11, 2009

Cafe Dolce offers catering (updated)

Cafe Dolce, the new coffee shop in downtown Franklin has expanded into catering. Open since April 2009, Cafe Dolce has established a good morning and lunch business. After 3:00 PM, though things tend to get quieter. Catering is one way to leverage the business operation that owners BJ Carlucci and Dave Purpura have established.

BJ and I reviewed the current plan. A meeting, event, or party for 10 or more is what Cafe Dolce will look to help you with. They will start with the sandwiches and salads that Cafe Dolce offers. A customized menu could include food for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The menu can be extended as far and wide (within reason) as necessary to create a great experience.

Cafe Dolce wants to make the presentation appropriate for a catered event by serving in fine crafted wicker baskets in addition to trays. Call BJ and he will work out the menu together with you. What is the occasion? How many people? What special dietary requirements are there?

BJ hesitates to provide per item pricing for catering. “Say you have had the Cranberry Turkey Breast Panini and wanted to serve that at your event. You don't need to order 10 individual paninis for the group. We prefer to price for the total quantity of the food provided rather than by the piece. This method will work out better for you in the long run.” They do use a formula to determine how much food per person would be required adjusting to cover portions for any kids.

The catering package can either be delivered or picked up. Depending upon the type of drop off, or drop-off/setup, there may be a delivery charge included. You could also rent the space at Cafe Dolce to hold your event.

They have already served a party of 75, have some events scheduled on site, and others scheduled for delivery off site. When your next catering event comes up, consider contacting BJ Carlucci, at 774-248-4321 or via email at dolce dot 1 at live dot com.


Note: Cafe Dolce is also exploring social media tools to spread the word on what they do and to help communicate with their customers and fans. You can join Cafe Dolce on Facebook here


Prior writing about Cafe Dolce:
  1. My talk with BJ and Dave prior to opening
  2. My write up about the opening
  3. Picture slide show from the grand opening
  4. The original catering article can be found here


Thursday, September 10, 2009

Friday, Sep 11 - Jack Murray Performs at Cafe Dolce

Friday, September 11th

Jack Murray, a Downtown Partnership member, will be performing at Cafe Dolce, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

All donations will be given to the Dana Farber Cancer Center at Milford Regional Medical Center.

Friday, August 14, 2009

New menu board - Cafe Dolce

I went running this morning and met up with Dolores at Cafe Dolce for coffee. There is a new menu board posted right at their door.

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Cafe Dolce's coffee source spotlighted


The idea behind stimulating one small business is that the company will then buy more things wholesale and help other companies and their employees, said Ted Welte, president and chief executive officer of the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce, based in Framingham.

“It’s all about the multiplier,’’ he said. “If people are spending money on a new roaster, say, that starts flowing through the economy of whoever produced that, and then more people can be serviced out of the coffee shop, and that means more money coming in.’’
The multiplier in this case is a federal stimulus loan recently provided to Red Barn Coffee Rosters of Upton. Red Barn is the coffee supplier for Cafe Dolce in Franklin.

I have tried several of the blends during my visits to Cafe Dolce and found them to be good and tasteful.

Have you visited Cafe Dolce recently? Try their Red Barn coffee and keep the multiplier effect going!

Read the full article from the Boston Globe West edition on the Red Barn stimulus loan here

Friday, July 10, 2009

Live music at Cafe Dolce

From BJ, Dave, and Lisa at Cafe Dolce comes the following info:

Join us this Friday, July 10th from 6pm-9pm as Cafe Dolce once again proudly presents Patrick "the Piano Man" Durkin (http://www.patrickdurkin.com) playing live music in our Cafe! All who were in attendance at last week's performance seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed this lively evening of music and dance, and we hope you will stop by tomorrow night!

In addition, this Saturday, July 11th fom 6:30pm-8:30pm, Cafe Dolce presents The Underground Cats (www.theundergroundcats.com), a high energy and very unique Rock n' Roll Band!

Friday, June 26, 2009

Cafe Dolce offers catering

Cafe Dolce, the new coffee shop in downtown Franklin is expanding into catering. Open since April, Cafe Dolce has established a good morning and lunch business. After 3:00 PM, things tend to get quieter. Catering is one way to leverage the business operation that owners BJ Carlucci and Dave Purpura are exploring. They have promoted Lisa Hall to Director of Catering to focus on this effort.

Lisa has a good background in catering and event planning. She started her first operation (Little Feast Catering and Events) as a part-time effort and grew the business to a full time profitable operation. She operated in New York City beginning in 1991 and then in Burlington, VT. She relocated to Holliston early this year, where she answered a Craigslist ad for Cafe Dolce. Her email response lead to an interview and to being hired. Lisa was behind the counter when Cafe Dolce opened.

Lisa and I sat down at Cafe Dolce recently to review her plans. A meeting, event, or party for 10 or more is what Lisa will look to help you with. She is looking to use the sandwiches and salads that Cafe Dolce offers as the starting point. The customized menu would include food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It can be extended as far and wide (within reason) as necessary to create a great experience.

She wants to make the presentation appropriate for a catered event by serving in fine crafted wicker baskets in addition to trays. Call Lisa and she will work out the menu together with you. What is the occasion? How many people? What special dietary requirements are there?

Lisa hesitates to provide per item pricing for catering. “Say you have had the Cranberry Turkey Breast Panini and wanted to serve that at your event. You don't need to order 10 individual paninis for the group. I prefer to price for the total quantity of the food provided rather than by the piece. This method will work out better for you in the long run,” she explains. There is a formula to determine how much food per person would be required adjusting to cover portions for any kids.

When asked who she considers her competition, Lisa answered that, “I really don't worry about the competition. We are here to provide the distinct Cafe Dolce difference. Good food, pleasant presentation, priced to meet your needs.”

The catering package can either be delivered or picked up. Depending upon the type of drop off, or drop-off/setup, there may be a delivery charge included. You could also rent the space at Cafe Dolce to hold your event.

When your next catering event comes up, consider contacting Lisa Hall, Director of Catering at 774-571-1805 or via email at dolce dot catering at live dot com.


Note: Cafe Dolce is also exploring social media tools to spread the word on what they do and to help communicate with their customers and fans. You can join Cafe Dolce on Facebook here


Prior writing about Cafe Dolce:
  1. My talk with BJ and Dave prior to opening
  2. My write up about the opening
  3. Picture slide show from the grand opening

Friday, May 22, 2009

Photo essay - 3rd Thursday - Block Party

On a night when the sky was clear

Franklin_90521HowClear

The sun was setting

Franklin_90521SunSetting

These guys were concentrating on playing good music

Franklin_90521Intent

The acoustic section of the group "Nothing to No One" was something to listen to for many

Franklin_90521Singing

Have something to eat or drink at Cafe Dolce

Franklin_90521CafeDolce

Come on down to celebrate the next Third Thursday in June!

Franklin_905213rdThurs

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Cafe Dolce - Music - Sat 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM


John Kinney


Café Dolce






Café Dolce is featuring John Kinney April 25, 7:00 - 9:00 PM. Come and listen to acoustic music inspired by Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson, Ray LaMontange, and many more!