SBOL_Jeanne

By Ginger DeShaney Happy Fairgiving! Or rather, Happy Thanksgiving, thanks in part to Fairway Independent Mortgage.  Fairway has donation boxes in nine South Boston businesses to collect food for St. Monica’s Thanksgiving meals. But Fairway isn’t just collecting the regular items. “[St. Monica’s] suggested some fun desserts: cake mixes and frosting and brownie mixes in addition to instant potatoes, cornbread, and cookie mixes,” said Colleen Howard, Fairway’s new marketing and business development coordinator. “Everyone always thinks of the typical stuff, like stuffing and canned veggies, but in addition they will be making a bunch of desserts to keep it fun.” Fairgiving is a new initiative Colleen started this year to help St. Monica’s in its mission to feed 400 local families for Thanksgiving. “St. Monica’s [...]

By Ginger DeShaney Early Wednesday morning, a line had gathered at Tatte Bakery & Cafe at 60 Old Colony Ave. before the shop officially opened its doors at 8 a.m. By 10 a.m., people were set up at tables and counters with their laptops to do some work, orders of shakshuka were being consumed, and the coffee machines were buzzing. “I’m very excited to be here,” said founder Tzurit Or, who greeted customers offering their congratulations and hugs on the Southie location’s Opening Day. “It’s great. I could feel the anticipation from the neighborhood,” she said, noting she had gotten a lot of questions about when the bakery was going to open. Tatte is the anchor of National Development’s redevelopment of the Cole Hersee complex [...]

By Ginger DeShaney In Good Company at 653 E. Broadway is so much more than a gift shop. It’s also a safe space, a supportive environment, and a meeting place. “The goal is to build a presence in the community around the shop that is a space where people go to feel good,” said owner Kait McKenna. “I want the shop to be a bright spot on the street where people can come to a meeting place ... A space that they can trust to buy meaningful gifts. It’s a space for people to express their individuality and spread kindness through gift giving and meaningful conversation.” In Good Company displays an LGBTQ flag in the window, which “is representative of a safe space for the [...]

By Ginger DeShaney Helping a friend lose 50 pounds put Ray Peleckas on track to turn around his own life and dedicate himself to his passion for helping others through fitness.  His studio, Burnin’ by Ray, helps his members have a better life. “By coming to Burnin’ by Ray, by being part of the community, they were able to live a better life ... meaning, they slept better, they were better parents, they were a better spouse, they were a better employee, they had less doctors’ visits,” Ray said.  “It just made their life better.” That’s the name of the game at Burnin’ by Ray, which has locations in the Seaport District (157 Seaport Blvd.) and Belmont.  People from all different walks of life work [...]