Holiday Trolley Takes a Year Off; Tree Lighting, Book Sale On

Plans for the Holiday Trolley have been canceled this year, but the tree lighting is still on.

Started in 2005 as a way to unite the town and promote local small businesses and organizations, the Northborough Holiday Trolley was one of the town's most popular annual events. This year, however, the trolley is canceled, according to Kimberly Reed, manager of the Purple Rose who started the Holiday Trolley along with Vicki Martelli, owner of the Purple Rose, and Patti Murphy, owner of Strut. Reed said, "we're taking a year off due to the downtown project, and allowing newer businesses in town to become established so we can come back stronger." The annual tree lighting, however, is still taking place on Dec. 8.  Reed added that many town events are still taking place on this day and all retail shops and restaurants are still open for …

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Shop Locally in Northborough on Small Business Saturday on Nov. 24

Start your holiday shopping at locally owned stores during Small Business Saturday.

Small Business Saturday is on Nov. 24 this year, two days after Thanksgiving. It is a day for everyone to support the small businesses that their community thrives on. American Express founded the day in 2010 to help small businesses get exposure during the holiday season, when they might be otherwise overlooked. With retailers buzzing around the holidays, it is important to support local small businesses that rely on their neighbors in order to continue prospering and building the local economy in Northborough. While officially Small Business Saturday takes place on Nov. 23, Northborough has long hosted a "Holiday Trolley" that was created to focus on shopping locally. This year, however, the trolley is taking some time off due to …

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UPDATED: Small Biz Deals All Weekend

Local deals from local merchants this weekend.

Kim Reed, manager for The Purple Rose right here in Northborough, said the store is offering 15 percent off all items in the gift guide starting Thursday at midnight through midnight on Nov. 25. Click on the link to view the guide; mention Patch or print the image that is attached for the discount. Northboro Computers, which opens at 8:30 a.m. on Black Friday, is offering a wallop of a special, too. On Black Friday, pick up an "open box special," which includes: 21.5” imac; I5 2.5Ghz quad core; 500GB HDD; 4GB Ram; Mac OS vX10.7 ( Lion); Apple Wireless Keyboard; Apple Magic Mouse; Power cord; MS Office MAC 2011; 3 Year wty (Apple care ) Expires 10/14/2015. It's a $1,500 value going for $1,100. Northboro Computers also offers an HP Folio 13-…

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Jamie Lasorsa

9:21 am on Saturday, November 24, 2012

Project Jay Fitness will be extending to the community the following specials: Sign up for a 1 year membership, receive 10% off! No enrollment fee's...EVER! Don't wait until Jan 1st to set your fitness goals! Commit now to make a change for the New Year and save! * Five 30 min Personal Training sessions, AND * Five Fitness Nutrition sessions, ONLY $299! (reg. $475) Reserve your spot now, for this…   more ›

Patch Facts

5 Things: Help Cocobeni Get a Small Biz Grant

Celebrating Apollo 12's mission to the Moon.

1. Don't forget that Cocobeni Confections needs your votes to win a small business grant. You love their sweet cupcakes, so help them out! 2. Each month, the Northborough Free Library celebrates and helps kids learn about a different country with, food, crafts, games, and more. This month, it's Armenia they're talking 'bout. Drop down to the library fixing to learn about Armena. 3. The Fresh Air Fund is looking ahead to next summer. Consider hosting a child in 2013. 4. The Historical Commission meets at the town offices at 7 p.m. These meetings are open to the public. The agenda, which you can find here, includes discussion about new road signs, as well as the Route 20 aqueduct bridge, funding opportunities and the community garden. 5. …

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Tips for Disaster Recovery for Small Business Owners

Hurricane Sandy has caused severe damage to many local businesses. if you're a small business owner, here's some helpful advice for how to recover.

Small businesses, here's what you need to do if you sustained damage from the hurricane. 1) File insurance claims as soon as possible, if you haven't already done so. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners offers important advice and tips for filing your claim. The National Flood Insurance Program also provides information on filing a flood insurance claim. 2) The SBA offers several low-interest, long-term disaster loans to small businesses in declared disaster areas, including business physical disaster loans and economic injury disaster loans. You can apply for loans up to $2 million for both uninsured and underinsured damages. You can apply directly online. Once submitted, the SBA will send an inspector to estimate the cost…

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Stretch to Help: Ebb 'n' Flow Yoga Helps Victims of Sandy

The Northborough yoga studio is holding an event this weekend to help raise money for those who were affected by the storm.

The owners and instructors at Ebb 'n' Flow Yoga, like many, were talking about the Hurricane Sandy aftermath. While this area escaped without tragedy, many did not. Ebb 'n' Flow Yoga is hosting an event on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 9-10:15 at the studio, running all levels of yoga classes from beginners to expert. "We decided to do a benefit after discussing how fortunate we were in Northborough compared to the flooding and outages in the midatlantic states," said Caitlin Borsini, who is an instructor at the studio. "We thought it would be nice to give something back to those communities hard hit. Yoga is good for the body and the mind, and with this fundraiser it helps others as well. The cost is $15 for a drop in and there are packages also…

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Viewfinder

Keep Calm and Eat a Cupcake

CocoBeni Confections, "Gourmet Cupcakes with a Homemade Touch."

CocoBeni Confections, a gourmet bakery, opened on November 1st in the Northborough Plaza. Owner Mary Beth Benison say's that she loves the idea of making something that people really enjoy, taking pleasure from what she has created. The store specializes in gourmet cupcakes, cookies and cakes "made to order." She's especially proud of her Double Chocolate cookies, made with a "special French cocoa powder." Our Northborough Patch photographer claims that their Mudpie cupakes are, without question, the best that he has ever eaten.  CocoBeni Confections is located at 247A West Main Street in the Northborough Plaza. Open, Monday-Friday:10-8, Saturday: 9-6 and Sunday: 11-5. Telephone number is 508-393-2253. Feel free to "Like" them on Facebook …

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Small Biz Saturday Deal: Crafts and Cupcakes

Craftworks is offering a yummy deal for Small Business Saturday.

Spend $50 or more in the new Craftworks in Northborough on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 26, and get a coupon for a free gourmet cupcake at the all new CocoBeni Confections. CocoBeni recently opened at 247A West Main St. in Northborough, and concentrates on baking gourmet cupcakes with a homemade touch. All pastries are from the oven of certified pastry chef Mary Beth Benison. 

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