Providing accurate and timely information about what matters in Franklin, MA since 2007. * Working in collaboration with Franklin TV and Radio (wfpr.fm) since October 2019 *
Sunday, October 11, 2026
More good advice for appropriate civic engagement
Friday, October 9, 2026
Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Franklin Small Business Spotlight: The Rome Restaurant
"We are a family run Italian restaurant in the heart of downtown, known for its comforting homemade dishes, welcoming atmosphere, and long standing commitment to the community. For generations, our family has taken pride in serving classic Italian favorites, made from scratch with care, to all who walk through our doors."
"We love being surrounded by people who value connection, history, and hometown pride."
"Small businesses are the heart of our community; they keep Franklin strong and connected and help neighbors thrive."
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Franklin Small Business Spotlight: Berry Insurance
"We are so thankful to call Franklin our home. Throughout our time here we have been so fortunate to have built up such a wonderful community of local clients and business partners. Whether we are making friendship bracelets at the Strawberry Stroll or Harvest Festival, collecting Christmas gifts for the Santa Foundation, or raising funds for Boston Children’s Hospital’s Halloween festivities, the people of Franklin always show up and offer unmatched support."
"Small businesses are so important because there are real people and families behind them who truly care about their clients and communities. Small businesses often take the time to build relationships, earn trust, and give back locally, creating a level of care and accountability that’s hard to replicate through larger corporations. We’ve been fortunate to both serve and receive services from many small businesses in Franklin and the surrounding communities, and have seen the level of care and compassion that goes into each business."
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Franklin Small Business Spotlight: The Tavern on Central
"Supporting small businesses keeps money in the community, creates local jobs, and preserves the character that makes a place unique. It's a direct way to strengthen your local economy and support the people who live and work in it."
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Franklin Small Business Spotlight: Woodstock Building Associates
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| Franklin Small Business Spotlight: Woodstock Building Associates |
“It is a beautiful town with great people and schools. The housing stock is a bit older, and with growing families, many homes could use an update or expansion.”
“It helps the local economy, and for people like me who live and work in the same town, we are true believers in making a great product and experience for our clients.”
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Welcome to National Small Business Week 2026
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Friday, April 24, 2026
Town of Franklin Celebrates National Small Business Week 2026 with Launch of New Spotlight Series
April 23, 2026 Franklin Celebrates National Small Business Week 2026 with Launch of New Spotlight SeriesThe Town of Franklin is celebrating National Small Business Week, May 3–9, 2026, with the launch of the Franklin Small Business Spotlight Series, an ongoing initiative designed to highlight and support the local businesses that make our community thrive. Beginning this May, businesses will have the opportunity to be featured each month across Town platforms, including the Franklin First monthly newsletter, the Economic Development page on the Town's website, and the Town’s official social media channels. The series spotlights local businesses by sharing who they are, why they chose Franklin as the place to grow their business, and their perspective on the importance of supporting small businesses. Interested in being featured? Small businesses play an important role in Franklin’s local economy, and this effort is one way the Town is working to highlight their presence and contributions. View it on website |
Sunday, May 11, 2025
MyFM: The Future of Local Marketing Arrives Monday
Thursday, May 9, 2024
Local Charm for Mom: Bird & Bear’s Gift Boxes Celebrate Community
Sunday, October 22, 2023
Economic Development Cmte hears about home occupation and gets an overview of 40R (video)
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| Economic Development Cmte hears about home occupation and gets an overview of 40R (video) |
Sunday, October 8, 2023
La Cantina Winery is hiring to support their expansion
"La Cantina Winery is currently seeking extraordinary individuals to form our tasting room team for our much-anticipated opening. As a member of our crush house team, you will be responsible for creating a fun, informative, and memorable experience for our guests who are like our friends and family.
If you are personable, reliable, hard-working, professional, a good conversationalist, and above all else enjoy creating nothing but the best experience for others, we are interested in hearing from you!
A variety of front of the house and back of the house positions are available including a chef! Stop by during our regular hours for an application."
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| The former automotive shop will become La Cantina Winery's expanded operations. Lot ready for paving |
Friday, June 30, 2023
January audio highlights in case you missed them, they are available
FM #931 - Talking about the importance of art with Amy Saltamacchia
FM #935 - Introduction to FUSF's Rev Bev
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| Franklin Matters Radio podcast page |
Thursday, May 11, 2023
The Frongillo Family in the news (video)
"In the coming weeks, thousands of college students will graduate and need a place to live.
With the high cost of housing and student loan debt, a growing number of them will trade their roommates for mom and dad.
The trend in recent years is for young people to move home."
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| The Frongillo Family in the news |
- In September2020, we talked about his business growth in Franklin -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/fm-353-rich-frongillo-growing.html
- In January 2023, we talked about the newest expansion of his business with a preschool opening later this year -> https://www.franklinmatters.org/2023/01/talking-with-rich-frongillo-about.html
Sunday, January 29, 2023
Talking wine & small business with Bob Vozzella of La Cantina Winery (audio)
FM #928 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 928 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my introductory conversation with Bob Vozzella of La Cantina Winery. We had our conversation in person in the office of his ‘day job’ in the industrial park along Grove St.
Topics for this session
The growth of La Cantina from a wine school
Experience during COVID
Farmers Market tasting
The wine making process, differences between a white and a red
Expansion plans
The conversation runs about 40 minutes. Let’s listen to my conversation with Bob Vozzella. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-928-lacantina-winery-bob-vozzella-01-17-23
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La Cantina Winery -> https://lacantinawinery.com/
Bob Vozzella’s LinkedIn profile -> https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-vozzella-9a878a3a/
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We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news/
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
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You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
Saturday, January 28, 2023
Talking with Rich Frongillo about Downtown Preschool (opening 2023), economic development, soccer, etc. (audio)
FM #927 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 927 in the series.
This session shares my conversation with Rich Frongillo. Rich is the owner of Tinetrix, founder of the Franklin Soccer School, Inc., Downtown Sports, and the forthcoming Downtown Preschool (new in 2023!). Our conversation was recorded in the Franklin TV & Radio studios on Tuesday, Dec 20, 2022.
Rich and I had another winding conversation. We start with the World Cup, talk soccer, and then catch up on business in this ‘new normal’ time. We get into economic development, housing, and other topics catching up from our prior conversation recorded in September 2020.
Downtown Preschool is the most recent small business venture and it is scheduled to open this year.
Our conversation runs 67 mins. Let’s listen to Rich and I talk about small business life here in Franklin. Audio file -> https://franklin-ma-matters.captivate.fm/episode/fm-927-rich-frongillo-downtown-sports-expanding-12-20-23
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Rich’s LinkedIn profile = https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-frongillo-4860a96/
Tinetrix, Inc. = https://www.tinetrix.com/
Franklin Soccer School, Inc. = https://www.franklinsoccerschool.com/
Downtown Sports = https://www.downtownsports.net/
Registration for all activities = https://www.downtownsports.net/registration
Downtown Preschool -> https://www.downtownpreschool.org
Our prior conversation (Sep 2020) https://www.franklinmatters.org/2020/09/fm-353-rich-frongillo-growing.html
--------------
We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm) or 102.9 on the Franklin area radio dial.
This podcast is my public service effort for Franklin but we can't do it alone. We can always use your help.
How can you help?
If you can use the information that you find here, please tell your friends and neighbors
If you don't like something here, please let me know
Through this feedback loop we can continue to make improvements. I thank you for listening.
For additional information, please visit Franklinmatters.org/ or www.franklin.news
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at shersteve @ gmail dot com
The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana" c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.
I hope you enjoy!
------------------
You can also subscribe and listen to Franklin Matters audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "Franklin Matters"
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| Downtown Preschool scheduled to open in 2023 |
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Congratulations to Escape into Fiction for winning a "Patterson Holiday Bookstore Bonus" for 2022
"We are so excited to announce @escape_into_fiction was awarded @jamespattersonbooks Holiday Bookstore Bonus!
We are so #grateful for the award and plan on putting it to good use!
Thank you Mr.@jamespattersonbooks !!!
Thanks also go to the community of #franklinma, #franklin @franklindowntownpartnership, @franklinculture for all of the everyday #smallbusiness support you show us! Continue to #shoplocal and #supportsmallbusiness"
| Congratulations to Escape into Fiction for winning a "Patterson Holiday Bookstore Bonus" for 2022 |















