Supporting Small Businesses & Village Centers

Our small businesses make up the beating heart of our village centers. Bryan has spoken with business owners and knows the COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating to small businesses, and we must act to ensure we don’t continue to lose more of them. 

Bryan heard from many restaurant owners that they wish Newton would do something similar to Moody Street in Waltham, where a portion of the street was closed to traffic and outdoor tables and tents were put out to encourage outdoor-dining. Bryan has advocated for easing taxes on restaurants and facilitating more outdoor-dining, and will listen to small business owners about what the city has to do to ensure that they are supported through the pandemic. 

The Economic Development Commission (EDC) has a phenomenal Local Business Recovery Plan with many steps the City Council can take to ease the burden on small businesses and help them come back stronger than before. Bryan is committed to working with the EDC, the Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce, and fellow councilors to implement the plan to support our small businesses and village centers.

Businesses in Newton will know that they have a voice in city government and someone they can come to with their concerns. Bryan would like to see the city work more closely with our businesses and our retail landlords to ensure storefronts are not left empty. We should aim for each village center to have a variety of retail, restaurants, and other neighborhood staples to allow residents to have convenient access to their daily needs.