Open for business

The Silver Maple Common on King St, near exit 16 for i495 has three of the five business locations now vacant.  The drive through bank was occupied by TD Bank and they left a couple of years ago. The liquor store sold their business and liquor license to Pour Richard's who opened on 14 Grove St. Frankly, not a great location as it is somewhat out of the way but the facility is larger and they are making a good effort to attract the business they want.

3 open locations

Philip DePalma Salon and Day Spa just moved a couple of weeks ago to a new professional office on West Central St, between the 99 Restaurant and BJ's Warehouse.

new location for Philip DePalma

"Location, location, location" is the old adage applied to business. You need to be located conveniently. Dunkin Donuts is doing well in this location as it is right at the highway and unless you decide to go into the store, easy enough to go through the drive-through. The Dry Clean Pro operation seems to be doing well. It is located conveniently for me to drop my things off on the way to work. We just received a flyer for Lapels which is opening their dry cleaning business in the plaza with Elizabeth's Bagels on RT 140. That is a high traffic zone on RT 140 and should do well.

As most businesses know (or should know) location is only the first step with the customer. The business still needs to deliver their product or service reasonably priced in a manner to bring the customers back again and again. Failure to do so will have the customers voting with their their dollars elsewhere.

site view of 3 open locations

I think is good that there is movement of businesses within Franklin. The spaces now open at the Silver Maple Common will be taken eventually by someone where that location and arrangement will be good for their use.

BTW - if you are looking for a reason to visit Pour Richard's, they are holding their first "Pennywise" fund raiser today to benefit The One Fund from 2:00 to 5:00 PM. Additional details can be found here
http://www.franklinmatters.org/2013/05/pour-richards-one-fund-fundraiser.html

BFCCPS performed the National Anthem

It was a pleasant surprise to hear that the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School chorus was announced to perform the national anthem for the New England Revolution soccer game on Saturday night.

My phone was handy so I managed to grab a long distance shot

BFCCPS Chorus at Gillette Stadium

and then tried to zoom in on the chorus

BFCCPS Chorus at Gillette Stadium - zoom

Well done, BFCCPS chorus!


PS - The Revolution played to 0-0 draw with DC United. The defense maintained their shutout streak (4 complete games) but the offense failed to score on multiple opportunities.

PS1 - as the picture indicates, Gillette Stadium had a few seats open. The attendance was 14,163 and somewhat normal for the Revs games. With free parking and reasonably prices tickets, this is a good way to get into Gillette Stadium and see some good soccer. You could likely bring a family of four for the about the same price as a single New England Patriots ticket.

In the News: outdoor destinations, hurricane gas prices

Outdoor summer destinations in MetroWest

Closed since 2009 because of budget cuts, Ashland State Park will reopen June 22 to provide residents craving hiking, biking or swimming yet another option in the MetroWest and Milford areas.

Note: You can find the trail maps online for the Ashland St Park (and other state parks in MA) on the Dept of Conservation and Recreation webpage http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/northeast/ashl.htm

More hurricanes could boost gas prices

An active hurricane season this summer could put a damper on predicted falling gas prices.

The rain will clear for the PMC Franklin Kids Ride - Jun 9

7th Annual PMC Franklin Kids Ride slated, June 9

The 7th Annual PMC Franklin Kids Ride will be held on Sunday, June 9, at Jefferson Elementary School, 628 Washington St., Franklin, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

PMC Franklin - Kids Ride

To contribute to this worthy cause, you can visit the event Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/pages/PMC-Franklin-Kids-Ride/207877159223678?fref=ts

or their website  http://www.kids.pmc.org/franklin.aspx

MassBudget: Comparing Health Care Proposals from the House and Senate Proposal

MassBudget    Information.    Participation.  Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center    Democracy. Health Care in the House and Senate Budgets A new fact sheet, Health Care in the House and Senate Budget Proposals, summarizes the House and Senate Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 proposals for MassHealth (Medicaid) and other subsidized health coverage programs. The House's budget bill allocates $13.38 billion to these health care programs while the Senate bill allocates $13.45 billion. Both proposals are less than the Governor's proposal of $13.6 billion. The House and Senate bills both reflect the significant changes to health care programs that will occur midway through the fiscal year, when central provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act take effect. This budget brief is the third in a series of FY 2014 reports describing the effect of various budget proposals on Health Care programs in Massachusetts. The briefs are produced by the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center in partnership with the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute--and published by the Massachusetts Medicaid Policy Institute (MMPI). Read about HEALTH CARE IN THE HOUSE BUDGET See ALL OUR BUDGET RESOURCES The Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MassBudget) produces policy research, analysis, and data-driven recommendations focused on improving the lives of low- and middle-income children and adults, strengthening our state's economy, and enhancing the quality of life in Massachusetts. MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER 15 COURT SQUARE, SUITE 700 BOSTON, MA 02108

Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center | 15 Court Square | Suite 700 | Boston | MA | 02108

In the News: FHS graduation

Franklin High School graduated more than 300 seniors on Friday evening.

Principal Peter Light told the graduates that the building, as much as it may mean to them, did not create their memories of high school. 

"Our memories aren’t formed by walls, floors, ceilings, desks and chairs; they’re formed by the events that take place, the people we meet and the relationships we forge throughout our entire lives," Light said. 

"Franklin High School is not a building: It’s you," he added.

Read more: http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x211327737/Franklin-High-grads-told-they-will-change-the-world#ixzz2VcgmXLbK

Franklin High graduates of 2013

 These are the Franklin High 2013 graduates.

Don't bother braving the rain for the Farmers Market today

Just found out today's farmers market will not be open, their first day will be next Friday, Jun 14th!

Grateful Farm

So what is a little rain when there is good food and produce to purchase on the Town Common?

Did rain ever stop you from getting a bargain?

The Farmers Market is scheduled to be open Friday from noon to 6:00 PM