The renovation project at the Bedford Market Place Shopping Center began at the end of July.  While plans were made for a complete overhaul of the shopping center including additional retail, updated parking lot/traffic flow configurations and pedestrian improvements; it looks like the work is going to be done in phases.

The first phase is expected to include a new facade for Whole Foods along with improvements to it's front parking lot. Work is expected to be completed before Labor Day.

Plans were recently approved for the next phase of reconstruction/expansion at Bedford Market Place. This next phase includes additional retail space adjacent to the Whole Foods and Marshalls. Whereas tenant negotiations are still ongoing, one of the new retail spaces is expected to feature a Pet Store. 
 
While the demolition of the Post Office distribution building is still expected soon, unconfirmed reports have indicated that the arrangement to move the distribution center to the TD Bank building at 175 Great Road have fallen through and that the Post Office may temporarily move Bedford mail distribution to the mail distribution facility in Burlington.
 

 

Chamber member, My Hometown Map, has been producing high-quality maps for communities throughout New England for the past 6 years.  

 

Now, My Hometown Map is teaming up with the Bedford Chamber to produce a brand new map of Bedford. 

This full-color, glossy map will be mailed out to every homeowner in Bedfrd and will have an online map featuring advertisers.  People who go to your listing online and click on your ad will be directed to your location even if it is not in Bedford. Clicking on your ad will direct people right to your own website.

This is a great opportunity to reach local homeowners for those members whose focus is on the consumer market.  Jerry Saval, from My Hometown Maps will reaching out to members soon, or you may contact him at the information below.

 

 

Contact: Jerry Saval
508-930-7065

jsaval@myhometownmap.com 

 

By Susan Ward

 

Need back to school marketing ideas? Look no further. Even if you're not selling school supplies or clothing, there are lots of ways you can attract back to school shoppers to your products and services and increase your back to school sales. These back to school marketing ideas will help your small business take advantage of one of the biggest retail seasons of the year.

1)Tried and true back to school marketing ideas.

Back to school sales are a tradition now and can work well for you if you sell products that are obviously school related. Heavily advertising your back to school products in the back to school marketing period is a natural marketing activity for you if you're selling things such as school supplies or clothing.

• And there are a lot of services that fit easily into back to school preparation. Hair salons can offer discounted back to school cuts and hair services; concierge/ errand services can offer to do customers' back to school shopping; tutors can promote "early

But just because your small business's products or services aren't directly school-related doesn't mean you have to miss out on potential back to school sales. If the kids going back to school is going to cause your sales to slump, now's the time for "last chance" sales. For example, a kayak rental business might offer "last chance" lessons and outings; a museum might offer discounted tours.

2) Marketing ideas for a back to school tie-in.

If your products or services have no obvious back to school tie-in, you can still create one. Stretch your brain and forge the back to school connection such as in these marketing ideas:

• Whether selling services or product, a nutrition-related business might offer information on preparing healthy school lunches or even a workshop.
• A business selling cleaning products might back to school market its products as great for cleaning dorm rooms and sell a special "studentpak" of products.
• A watch repair business might run a "be on time for school" special.

3) Don't forget the parents.

Don't limit your marketing ideas to kids. Back to school means different schedules for parents, too, and for some, more time to do things for themselves or things they've been putting off.

• Personal care businesses, such as hairdressers, manicurists, and massage therapists can offer discounts on "they've-gone-back to school" appointments.
• Restaurants could offer special menus and/or dishes to encourage patrons to come in for lunch.
• Fitness studios and gyms could offer special workshops or session series in school hours.

The really great thing about targeting students' parents in your back to school marketing is that your promotion can carry on right through September.

4) Be a teachers' pet.

Teachers are another great group to target with your back to school marketing ideas if your products or services are appropriate. Many of the marketing ideas that apply to parents will also work for teachers. Here are a few more marketing ideas:

• Car detailing business could offer a special package for teachers only.
• An educational supply store could offer teachers memberships or discount cards.
• A restaurant could offer teachers only a free dinner entrée during the first month of school.

Get Your Back to School Marketing Ideas Thinking Cap On

Think about your target market, how back to school impacts their lives and how your products or services could fit in to get your back to school marketing campaign started. The back to school retail season is such a lucrative market that you definitely want your small business to take part in it.

 

 

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The Danny Oates Memorial 5K race Committee invites you to be a sponsor

of their event. This is the 20th years of the race and pays tribute to Danny, the beloved son of Robert & Judy Oates. For more information

visit  www.dannypoates5k.com

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9/2, 9, 16, 23, 30

 Tee It Up Golf

Patriot Golf Course 

200 Springs Road
Bedford, MA
Tee Time start at 4:30
Register Here  

 

September 11

Board of Directors Meeting
Flint Room
7:30 AM 

September 12
RT 128 Business Expo
Westin-Waltham
Boston Hotel
Waltham, MA
10:30 -3:00 PM
Registration Form

September 17
Mens Breakfast Cub
Speaker Mike McAuliffe
Brightview Concord River
200 Concord Rd
Billerica, MA
7:30 AM -9 AM

September 18
Working Women Alliance
Speaker Jen Quinn
Flint Room/Town Center
noon

September 20
Bedford Day
12 Mudge Way
Bedford, MA
10:Am-3:00 PM 

 

 

SAVE THE DATE

 

October 31
The Goddard School Trunk or Treat

November 2
Flavors of Bedford