Business & Tech
July Jubilation A Success
Annual block party sale on Central Street enjoys fair weather, steady business.
Wellesley merchants and their patrons, old and new, enjoyed good weather during the town's annual July Jubilation Saturday.
More than 50 merchants participated, the most the event has marshaled thus far. "It was great to see everyone come together this year," said Demian Wendrow, director of operations at London Harness and organizer for the event on behalf of the Wellesley Center Merchant's Association.
Residents enjoyed music provided by Z-Tunes DJ service and Plugged In Teens, a Needham after-school music program, two moonwalks, a science show, a guy on stilts, face painting, a caricature artist and food and drink from several restaurants.
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Ellen Scelfo of Kenzie Kids at 200 Linden St. was smiling as kids and parents browsed her table at the Jubilation and waited to have their faces painted by volunteers Emmy Panagos and Caroline Delreal. "You know what? It's fun to just be out and about," Scelfo said.
"It's good, said Wendrow Saturday, "I think people are enjoying it." In fact, he said, he wishes the event could go longer. Maybe, he said, they could do the event twice next year, with the second date sometime in the fall.
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"Not a bad day," said Upper Crust Pizzaria's Shawn Shennenfield, who had a booth set up near the eastern end of the blocked off street, on the far end of the the event from his shop. The event was good exposure, he said, and helped him let people who hadn't heard that Upper Crust had opened up at 99 Central St.
The street opened up again at about 4 p.m., Wendrow said, but the merchants stayed out and moved to the sidewalk, where people were still browsing wares and checking out shops. He said the event was important for businesses, which are beginning to see a little summer thaw to the cooled economy. Also, he said, "It's fun to see everyone working together as a community."
Editor's note: Check back for more photos and a video from the event.
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