By Aliesha Porcena
Around Dorchester, neighborhood pride is a common sight. Murals, window decals, apparel, and OFD bumper stickers are daily reminders about how Boston’s largest and most diverse neighborhood also feels tightly knit and unified. Part of what makes this six-square mile community feel so intimate are the spaces we come to gather—coffee shops, bars, theaters, and restaurants.
In Dorchester, it’s not uncommon to know the name of our dry cleaner and ask about the children of our pharmacist. The people here are what makes our community great, and it’s the tenacity of our local entrepreneurs that transform our neighborhood institutions into legacies.
To date, the City of Boston has selected nearly 20 Dorchester businesses as Legacy Business Program winners. Honoring the longevity and commitment these businesses have shown our community is at the core of the Legacy Business Program and the diversity among the Dorchester awardees is a reflection of the spirit of this neighborhood.
No other neighborhood in Boston is home to as many Legacy awardees, or more varied industries. We’ve honored grocers, bakers, restaurants, auto repair shops, a roller rink, insurance agencies, and salons.
Dorchester has everything to offer that a local resident might need. We couldn’t be more proud to be the home of iconic businesses—and Legacy Winners—like Phillips Chocolates and The Ice Creamsmith, Walnut Deluxe Cleaners and Tailors and Deveney & White Memorials, among many others.
Through the Legacy Business Program, these businesses receive increased visibility and technical assistance. Our goal is to ensure that Legacy Businesses avoid displacement, grow their influence, keep residents employed, and enrich the cultural vibrancy of the city of Boston.
We recently launched this year’s nomination period, and we are asking you to help us celebrate businesses that are part of your life—both the daily routine and with special celebrations.
All Boston residents have a connection to a potential Legacy Business. Maybe it’s a hardware store with knowledgeable staff, a thoughtful and talented florist, or a breakfast spot they’ve frequented for years. If the business is located in the city, and has been in operation for more than 10 years, they qualify.
Once we close nominations, businesses will be vetted and narrowed down by the City Council, Office of Small Business review committee, and Mayor Michelle Wu.
The 30 new Legacy Businesses winners will receive targeted technical assistance with a focus on succession planning and employee ownership. We want to make sure these businesses continue to be part of the fabric of the community.
Nominate your favorite business today, and keep supporting these neighborhood anchors.
Nominations are now open, learn more and nominate a business at boston.gov/legacy.
Aliesha Porcena is the director of Small Business for the City of Boston.
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