#shopFranklin: Emma's Quilt Cupboard and Sewing Center (video)

#shopFranklin - supporting small business speaks with Cyndi Rich of Emma's Quilt Cupboard and Sewing Center located in the heart of Franklin, MA. 

Find out how Cyndi started the business and learn how to make a simple FOUR seam project that works for any holiday and takes just a few minutes!

one of the storefront windows at Emma's Quilt Cupboard and Sewing Center

Emma's Quilt Cupboard and Sewing Center

Franklin Downtown Partnership Hosts Holiday Stroll December 1

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is hosting its annual holiday party on Thursday, December 1, from 4:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Franklin’s newly revitalized downtown.

Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic for this year’s Holiday Stroll, allowing easy walking between all the festivities on Main, West Central, East Central and Summer streets. Families will find decorated store fronts, entertainment and refreshments, visits with Santa, Mrs. Claus and Post Mark the North Pole Postman, crafts and gingerbread cookie decorating, and gift shopping.

“This event is always so much fun and really gets you in the mood for the holidays,” says Roberta Trahan, event co-organizer. “The Holiday Stroll showcases our businesses beautifully, and the downtown looks festive with the storefronts decorated. This year we have special guests and a new Holiday Stroll Passport that offers shoppers something extra.”

Holiday Stroll December 1

The Holiday Stroll begins at 4:15 p.m. with costumed carolers and refreshments on Dean College’s Dean Hall Common. The tree will be lit at sundown. Visitors don’t need to wait for the tree to be lit to begin their stroll through downtown; vendor booths and shops will be open for business by 4:30 p.m.

The Franklin Food Elves “12 Days of Donating” campaign benefiting the Food Pantry kicks off that day, and red donation bin will be placed at the tree lighting. Bins will also be set up participating downtown businesses.

An all-new Holiday Stroll Passport will help visitors check items off their holiday gift shopping lists. The free passport can be picked up at participating businesses. Visitors will get their passport stamped at each location listed. When the passport is full of stamps it will be entered into a grand prize drawing, which is one $25 gift card from each business listed. Check the FDP website, www.franklindowntownpartnership.org, and Facebook event page for a list of passport business locations.

Several special guests will make appearances at this year’s Holiday Stroll. At Emma’s Quilt Cupboard on Main Street, Post Mark the North Pole Postman will mail letters to Santa and read from a Christmas book he’s written from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

Families can follow Candy Cane Lane down East Central Street to Simon’s Furniture where Santa Claus and his elves will hear wish lists from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mrs. Claus will arrive at the Franklin Historical Museum at 5 p.m. to treat kids to stories and snacks.

Great entertainers will put everyone into a jolly mood. Jamie Barrett will sing and play guitar at Jane’s Frames. The Saint Mary’s choir will perform holiday favorites on Main Street, and WMRC 1490-AM will broadcast live with giveaways and contests.

At Simon’s Furniture, talented Franklin High School musicians will perform inside while Feet In Motion Dance School students will put on holiday-themed dances and Eric the Wood Carver will create his artwork using a chainsaw and logs outside in the parking lot.

On West Central Street, performers at THE BLACK BOX will perform scenes from three FPAC December shows, including The Nutcracker, Humbug, and a holiday panto entitled A Glass Slipper Christmas.

Check the FDP website, www.franklindowntownpartnership.org, or Facebook event page for entertainment times and location updates.

Kids will enjoy the Touch-A-Truck event at the Franklin Fire Station, and the Historical Museum will have delicious treats when kids come to see Mrs. Claus.

Downtown businesses will open their doors and tempt visitors with refreshments and shopping deals on holiday gifts, services and gift cards. Sponsors and merchants will have booths inside the Depot Plaza building next to Acapulco’s on Main Street, and also at Dean Bank and Simon’s Furniture.

“We’re turning downtown Franklin into ‘Holiday Central’ during our Stroll. Everyone can visit Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Postman, sing Christmas carols, shop for gifts, and meet friends for dinner, all right here in the center of town,” says Jennifer Hurst, event co-chair.

The Holiday Stroll is made possible by the generous sponsorship of local businesses. Dean Bank and Dean College are Gold sponsors of this event. Silver sponsors are DCU, D.G. Ranieri Real Estate, Franklin Ford, Middlesex Savings Bank and Rescom Exteriors.

Bronze sponsors are Beaux Regards Photographic Art by Marjorie Sardella, BMW Gallery of Norwood, Boston Solar, Flynn/Wirkus/Young Attorneys at Law, Franklin Central Pizza, Franklin Driving School, Franklin Girl Scouts, Simon’s Furniture and Tom Fricker Heating & A/C.

For more information about the Holiday Stroll contact event organizers Roberta Trahan, trahanroberta@gmail.com, and Jennifer Hurst, jhurst@deanbank.com.

The Franklin Downtown Partnership is celebrating its 15th year as a 501©3 organization made up of business owners, community leaders and residents working to revitalize downtown Franklin. For more information about the FDP, please visit www.franklindowntownpartnership.org, or contact Executive Director Lisa Piana at downtown.franklin@yahoo.com.

"a stunning array of beautiful holiday music"

If you are looking for some new music to play this holiday season, we have exactly what you are looking for!

Released in 2015, this album features children ages 8 to 18 in a stunning array of beautiful holiday music. Included are some holiday classics, along with some beautiful arrangements of newer holiday favorites. To purchase, simply click on the link below. 

All proceeds from the sale of this album go directly to the Encore Music Education Foundation, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing scholarships and subsidies to deserving students of music.

Thank you for your support, and have a wonderful holiday season!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/december/id1069500761?i=1069500783

if you have any trouble with the iTunes link, here is another good source for the CD  http://www.cdbaby.com/m/cd/encoremusicacademyandrec


Note: When I attempted to follow the link (on a non-Apple device) I was getting prompted to install iTunes (which was already installed). I was able to find the album by searching for "Emma Newton". She comes up with several entries and the album "December" fortunately is one of them.

#shopFranklin: Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store (video)

#shopFranklin spends time with Mel Hamblen, recent new owner of Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store. Mel explains how she went from working in a lab to working on finding the best products for the Franklin community. 

We also learn how to make homemade root beer with a definitive fizz!

If you have pets, check out their line up of pet foods!

If you make your own beer, check out their beer supplies!

Franklin Agway - Your Urban Farm Store

Shop Small Business Saturday - Nov 26

American Express has been bringing attention to small business since 2010, and this Saturday is a good reason to get out and support the many small businesses here in Franklin.

Shop Small Business Saturday - Nov 26

If you need a refresher on the #shopFranklin small businesses, the listing can be found on the #shopFranklin webpage   http://www.shopfranklinma.com/members/

#shopFranklin

"the buffet, you can't go wrong!"

#shopFranklin speaks with Nilu Patel of The Curry House to learn about how she and her partners decided to open a restaurant in Franklin. 

We also explore all of the flavors in India and learn what makes The Curry House unique - and DELICIOUS!

Where is the Curry House?

418 West Central St in Franklin





Visit their webpage  http://www.thecurryhouse.com/menu

The Curry House

Note: the video was recorded in May or June 2016 as they mentioned the "Taste of Franklin" was coming up and that was part of the 2nd Annual Cultural Festival at the end of July

Give the gift of Music - Small Business Saturday - Encore Music Academy

Give the gift of Music - Small Business Saturday - Encore Music Academy

#shopFranklin Small Business Showcase at FHS - 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM

FREE - On November 17

DON'T FORGET Small Business Showcase This Thursday Don't miss the fun! AND it's FREE November 17 5:00 to 8:30 pm at Franklin High School Cafeteria   Hope to see you then! Franklin Public Schools                  Lifelong Learning Institute The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning

FPS- Lifelong Learning, 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by adulted@franklin.k12.ma.us in collaboration with

#shopFranklin Small Business Showcase

#shopFranklin Small Business Showcase - details 1

#shopFranklin Small Business Showcase - details 2

Note: I will be at the Welcome table to greet all arrivals and I am also scheduled for a round table discussion on Social Media. Be sure to stop by! 

Your Invitation To the Small Business Showcase at FHS, Nov 17

FREE - Great Family Event

Come Join Us For A SMALL BUSINESS SHOWCASE November 17, 2016 5:00 to 8:30 PM Franklin High School A TERRIFIC COMMUNITY EVENT FREE and Open to the Public Raffles, Giveaways, Shopping, and Presentations! Fun, Interactive and Educational   Entertainment by Franklin Forte and FHS Student Ensembles. The Small Business Showcase is co-sponsored by #shopFranklin, an organization formed to help support and promote local, independently owned and operated businesses in Franklin and The Center for Adult Education & Community Learning, a program of the Franklin Public Schools Lifelong Learning Institute, dedicated to providing quality learning experiences in Franklin and surrounding communities.

FPS- Lifelong Learning | 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by adulted@franklin.k12.ma.us in collaboration with Try it free today

Calling All Franklin Independently Owned Small Businesses - Small Business Showcase - November 17

You don't want to miss this.

Calling All Franklin Independently Owned Small Businesses November 17, 2016 5:00 to 8:30 PM Franklin High School The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning and #shopFranklin are co-sponsoring Small Business Showcase for Franklin independently owned businesses. Businesses pay a $50.00 Registration Fee REGISTER here Participating businesses may Host a Roundtable Discussion, Stage a Presentation or Product Demonstration Create Fun, Interactive, Educational  Product Displays and; Demonstrations  Food and Products to Purchase This Showcase is FREE and open to the public www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com 508-613-1480 Franklin Public Schools   Lifelong Learning Institute The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning

FPS- Lifelong Learning | 355 East Central Street, Franklin, MA 02038 Sent by adulted@franklin.k12.ma.us in collaboration with Try it free today

SBA Advantage, Connections that Work - Sep 15

The Town of Franklin’s Department of Planning and Community Development, in conjunction with South Eastern Economic Development (SEED) Corporation, announces the Franklin Business Loan Program, which will be rolled out during the Small Business Administration’s workshop, ‘SBA Advantage, Connections that Work’ on Thursday, September 15, 2016 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Dean College, 99 Main Street, Golder Room (in the Campus Center), Franklin, MA 02038. At this seminar, the SBA and SEED will provide information on their loan programs and resources available to help business owners.

The loan programs provide financing for new and established businesses to help them start,
grow and create new jobs in Franklin by forming a partnership with SEED, which provides loans from $1,000 to $5.5 million.

http://seedcorp.com/

SEED offers three loan programs:

1) The Micro Loan Program provides loans from $1,000 up to $50,000, which can be used for working capital, inventory, leasehold improvements, machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures, and refinancing of business credit card debt. The term on the loans is 6 years at a 6 percent fixed interest rate with no prepayment penalty.

2) The Revolving Loan Fund provides loans up to $250,000, which can be used for the purchase of land and buildings; equipment and furnishings; working capital, or as the down payment on a larger project. The SEED portion of the project is generally 40 percent or less, although in cases where there is a larger financing gap, SEED’s portion can be greater. The term on the loan is up to 10 years at a 5 percent fixed interest rate with bank participation and 6 percent without. There is no prepayment penalty.

3) The 504 Loan Program provides up to 40 percent of the financing needed behind a
bank/credit union’s 50 percent for the acquisition and improvement of commercial and
industrial buildings; and the purchase and installation of heavy machinery and equipment.
SEED’s portion can range from $120,000 to $5 million for most businesses, and $5.5 million for manufacturing businesses. SEED’s portion offers a fixed interest rate below market for 20 years, currently at 4.1 percent, and at 3.7 percent for 10 years.

SEED is a non-profit economic development organization certified in 1982 by the U.S. Small
Business Administration with the mission to grow and create jobs throughout the region. SEED also provides business assistance and works with other economic development organizations and financing institutions in the region to ensure that individuals who are committed to owning and operating a small business are able to obtain the assistance they need to be successful.

For more information, or to register for the seminar, please contact Bryan Taberner, Director of Planning and Community Development at (508) 520-4907 or email
development@franklin.ma.us.




This was shared from the Town of Franklin website
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024A150D-000F8513

#shopFranklin - supporting small business: The Sugar Shoppe

#shopFranklin TV talks with Courtney and Corey Nappa of The Sugar Shoppe and Make Change for Change. The Sugar Shoppe makes charitable giving a sweet idea!

"The Sugar Shoppe is a non-profit founded on the premise of giving HOPE to those who may have none. Your purchases go towards building the fund for Make Change for Change, a non profit setup to provide moms and kids smile. Think of all the special occasions that come and go in a year, our mission is to provide gift baskets to those in need. 50% of the homeless population in Massachusetts are women and children. We strive to help make these individuals feel a sense of hope. Your small donation enables us to give a gift basket to someone in need, potentially at the right time in their life. ​​"

http://www.sugarshoppe.org/

loans "to help them start, grow and create new jobs"

The Town of Franklin’s Department of Planning and Community Development, in conjunction with South Eastern Economic Development (SEED) Corporation, announces the Franklin Business Loan Program, which will be rolled out during the Small Business Administration’s workshop, ‘SBA Advantage, Connections that Work’ on Thursday, September 15, 2016 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Dean College, 99 Main Street, Golder Room (in the Campus Center), Franklin, MA 02038. At this seminar, the SBA and SEED will provide information on their loan programs and resources available to help business owners.

The loan programs provide financing for new and established businesses to help them start,
grow and create new jobs in Franklin by forming a partnership with SEED, which provides loans from $1,000 to $5.5 million.

http://seedcorp.com/

SEED offers three loan programs:

1) The Micro Loan Program provides loans from $1,000 up to $50,000, which can be used for working capital, inventory, leasehold improvements, machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures, and refinancing of business credit card debt. The term on the loans is 6 years at a 6 percent fixed interest rate with no prepayment penalty.

2) The Revolving Loan Fund provides loans up to $250,000, which can be used for the purchase of land and buildings; equipment and furnishings; working capital, or as the down payment on a larger project. The SEED portion of the project is generally 40 percent or less, although in cases where there is a larger financing gap, SEED’s portion can be greater. The term on the loan is up to 10 years at a 5 percent fixed interest rate with bank participation and 6 percent without. There is no prepayment penalty.

3) The 504 Loan Program provides up to 40 percent of the financing needed behind a
bank/credit union’s 50 percent for the acquisition and improvement of commercial and
industrial buildings; and the purchase and installation of heavy machinery and equipment.
SEED’s portion can range from $120,000 to $5 million for most businesses, and $5.5 million for manufacturing businesses. SEED’s portion offers a fixed interest rate below market for 20 years, currently at 4.1 percent, and at 3.7 percent for 10 years.

SEED is a non-profit economic development organization certified in 1982 by the U.S. Small
Business Administration with the mission to grow and create jobs throughout the region. SEED also provides business assistance and works with other economic development organizations and financing institutions in the region to ensure that individuals who are committed to owning and operating a small business are able to obtain the assistance they need to be successful.

For more information, or to register for the seminar, please contact Bryan Taberner, Director of Planning and Community Development at (508) 520-4907 or email
development@franklin.ma.us.




This was shared from the Town of Franklin website
http://town.franklin.ma.us/Pages/FranklinMA_News/024A150D-000F8513