Boston Main Streets

Building vibrant commercial districts
Created by Mayor Thomas M. Menino in 1995 as the first urban, multi-district Main Street program in the United States, Boston Main Streets is devoted to the continued revitalization of Boston's neighborhood commercial districts through design, technical, and financial support. Today, the nationally recognized program boasts 19 districts across Boston.
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Mayor Menino Kicks Off Holidays on Main Streets, Challenges Residents to Shop Locally
On November 22, 2011, Mayor Menino kicked off the City’s annual Holidays on Main Streets campaign at East Boston’s Maverick Station, joining local residents and retailers to highlight Boston’s 20 Main Streets districts during the holiday season. Mayor Menino is challenging residents to do their shopping locally. The Mayor also unveiled the first-ever Boston Meter Card, a card designed to eliminate the need for coins at Boston’s 7,000 single-space meters. As is tradition in Boston, the City will also offer two hours of free metered parking in commercial districts on Black Friday and Saturdays from Thanksgiving through Christmas.
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Mayor Menino Celebrates Four New Businesses in Brighton
On September 24, 2011, Mayor Thomas M. Menino joined Brighton Main Streets, local business owners and residents to celebrate the grand openings of four new businesses on Washington Street in Brighton – Hoshi-Ya Japanese Restaurant, Naked Pizza, Treats on Washington Street, and Abbotts Frozen Custard.
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Lights on Main Streets

Lights on Main Streets focuses on lighting up the City for the holiday season. The Main Streets organizations of Boston are encouraging their local business owners and residents to decorate their storefront windows, houses and parks with bright lights and decorations.

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Deck the Windows II
The popular contest in which people vote for the best holiday storefront window decorations in the Main Streets Districts is back. Support your local businesses by voting for your favorite window.
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Mayor Menino Celebrates Opening of Minerva’s Owl in Roslindale on “Small Business Saturday”
On November 26, 2011, Mayor Thomas M. Menino joined Roslindale Village Main Streets, local business owners and residents to celebrate “Small Business Saturday” by cutting the ribbon at Minerva’s Owl, a new boutique in Roslindale, and officially kicking off the holiday season in Roslindale at the Adams Park tree lightings.
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Related Resources

Visit a District
Contact and visit local Main Streets districts throughout the city.

Boston Main Streets Foundation
A foundation committed in making Boston's neighborhood commercial districts thriving, vibrant centers of commerce and community through its support of the Boston Main Streets program. The Boston Main Streets Foundation seeks to develop long-term strategies to increase the economic power and resources of neighborhood commercial districts.

Employment
Displays job postings and work opportunities for Main Streets related employment.

Beyond Baked Beans: Discover Boston on Main Streets
Contains information about each of the 19 districts, including maps, directions, places of interest, types of restaurants, and other details about the neighborhood commercial districts. The guide is designed to be useful to both residents and visitors.

Other Resources

National Trust for Historic Preservation
The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a private, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to saving historic places and revitalizing America's communities.

Program Contact

Stephen Gilman, Program Director
Boston Main Streets
Office of Business Development
Department of Neighborhood Development
Phone: 617.635.0076
Email: sgilman.dnd@cityofboston.gov

cityofboston.gov - Official Web Site of the City of Boston - Thomas M. Menino, Mayor