Business & Tech

Newton Centre Businesses Join Forces for Arts Stroll & Shop

A list of local businesses participating in this year's Arts Stroll & Shop, and why some have decided to come on board.

There are a many reasons why Newton Centre businesses are participating in this year's Arts Stroll & Shop, but there is one common theme that seems to run through all of them: community. 

"We love Newton and we're so happy to be here and to be a part of this community," says Pure Barre Newton Owner Rachel Roberts. "There are some businesses that have been here for a really long time and hopefully we'll be one of them. Participating in events like this only make that bond stronger."

The second annual Arts Stroll & Shop will take place this Sunday, Dec. 2 from noon - 6 p.m. 

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Pure Barre is one of 40 businesses who have signed on to participate in this year's Arts Stroll & Shop in Newton Centre. The barre technique fitness studio, which is joining the event for the first time this year, will be offering refreshments, discounts on packages and a trunk show in its retail section, Roberts said. 

Check out the map for this year's Arts Stroll & Shop.

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Headed up by the Newton Cultural Alliance,

During the event, businesses will offer special discounts, treats or promotions for patrons. In addition, art exhibits will be set up in Newton Centre's empty storefronts and local musicians will be providing "pop-up" performances in the art spaces as well.

"The event is based on the arts, which is something that is near and dear to our hearts," Roberts says. "A lot of our employees have a background in the arts."

The artistic component is a main reason why Brussels Sprouts Kids Owner Molly Gasnick signed on for the Stroll & Shop.

"I think it's a great idea," Gasnick says. "Exposure to the arts sort of raises everyone's artistic IQ, whether you're an artist or an appreciator [of art]."

In addition to special discounts and hot cocoa, Brussels Sprouts will be taking advantage of their large, corner windows on Union Street. Gasnick says she has contacted a friend at the New Art Center to create a pop-up art gallery in the Brussels Sprouts storefront. 

For Duchess owner Rachel Sciaba, the Stroll & Shop is a way to "reenergize" the Newton Centre business community as well as the shoppers. 

"This is a great opportunity to bring customers and business owners together," Sciaba says. "We're all so close together, but we don't often group together and do events -- it's a really nice way to boost morale and get us to work together."

Sciaba participated in the Stroll & Shop last year and is excited to come on board this year. Having the event on a Sunday (it was on a Thursday last year) will also help bring some life to a typically quiet day in Newton Centre, she says.

Much like Pure Barre and Brussels Sprouts, Duchess will also be offering discounts to shoppers during the Stroll & Shop; everything in the store will be 20 percent off.

A full list of participating Stroll & Shop businesses is included below:

  • Andrea's Treasures
  • B Street Restaurant and Bar
  • Betsy Jenney
  • Boston Development Group
  • Bravo Dance Shop
  • Brussels Sprouts Kids
  • Cafe Sol Azteca
  • Cafe St. Petersburg
  • Century Bank
  • CERI
  • Christine's Day Spa
  • COMO by CERI
  • CRG
  • Dahlia
  • Duchess
  • Eastern Bank
  • Farmstead Table
  • First Baptist Church
  • Folklorica
  • Gilda's
  • Home on Sumner
  • Jake's Falafel Corner
  • Kiki D. Design & Consign
  • Leather World
  • Learning Express
  • Micozzi Management
  • Miniluxe
  • Newtonville Books
  • Panera Bread
  • The Party Shop
  • Pink Domino
  • Pure Barre
  • Sarian Designs
  • Second Time Around
  • Stash
  • Talori
  • Tango Mango
  • Terry O'Reilly's


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