SMALL BUSINESS GETS A FREE RIDE
Hub shuttle to guide shoppers
As city residents set out to support local shops on Small Business Saturday, Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced a new shuttle program aimed at stitching together Main Streets in different Hub neighborhoods and encouraging people to support small businesses in new places.
The “Main Street Explorer” pilot program will run a free “hop on and hop off” shuttle on three consecutive Thursdays — Dec. 7, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21 — from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. between Hyde Park, Roslindale and West Roxbury, the mayor’s office said.
Pickup locations for the Main Street shuttles will include information about the business district.
Walsh announced the pilot yesterday as he proclaimed it was “Small Business Saturday” in Boston and unveiled other measures to attract shoppers to local businesses, including the “#LetsAllShopSmall” social media campaign, which calls on participants to pledge support to local businesses during the holiday season, either by purchasing gifts, dining out, or participating in local holiday events in Main Streets districts.
“Every year I look forward to kicking off the holiday season, and I encourage Bostonians and visitors alike to support local establishments throughout Boston Main Streets and our local business districts,” Walsh said in a statement.
“From employing neighbors, giving back to local nonprofits and public space, to investing in neighborhood beautification efforts, Boston’s Main Streets businesses of are committed to their New communities year-round,” he Urban continued. “I’m proud of these Mechanics, initiatives to support our local the small business economy and I city’s civic hope everyone is able to visit, research and support and explore Boston’s development small, local establishments.” team.
The Main Street shuttle pilot is a collaboration between the mayor’s office, the economic development office, Boston Main
Streets Foundation and the Office