About Us

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Egleston Square Main Street received a Community Service Award from the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation at their Annual Meeting, May 2014

MISSION

Egleston Square Main Street’s mission is to build our community, strengthen our business district and revitalize our public spaces through partnership with local merchants, residents and community groups.

ESMS

Designated as a Main Street Program in 1996, Egleston Square Main Street (ESMS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that strives to promote, preserve, and revitalize Egleston Square, located on the border of Roxbury and Jamaica Plain in Boston, MA. ESMS is governed by a board of directors composed of local residents, business owners, and representatives from community groups, and receives support from community partners and the City of Boston, through the Boston Main Streets Program.

ESMS works to retain and expand area businesses, improve business facades and the street scape, and promote the business district. Our goal is to ensure that Egleston Square will continue to be an enjoyable community in which to live, work, visit, dine, and shop.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Egleston Square Main Street is led by a dynamic Board of Directors who volunteer their time to provide strategic direction and program support by serving on one or more of the organization’s committees.

List of board members:

Co-President / Solomon Lemma / Egleston Liquors
Co-President / Logan Keck / Christ the King JP/Roxbury
Clerk / Ron Hafer / Resident
Carlos Espinoza-Toro / JPNDC
Manuel Feliz / Boston Express MS
Rosana Javier / Latino Beauty Salon
Galen Moore / Resident
Fani Moreta / Millenium Restaurant
Tim Reardon / Resident
Karen Sama / 826 Boston
Robert Torres / Urban Edge

Executive Director / Luis Edgardo Cotto 

Egleston Farmers Market / Market Manager / Scott Farrell-Fornstein

GOALS

  • To develop an image for Egleston Square as a safe, family-oriented community and commercial district by marketing its unique characteristics to shoppers, community members and the media through retail promotional activities, special events and marketing materials.
  • To improve the physical appearance and create an inviting atmosphere in Egleston Square by addressing public safety, litter and traffic issues and promoting storefront improvement and public improvement projects.
  • To sharpen the competitiveness of Egleston Square and its businesses by compiling and updating district data, recruiting new businesses and investors, and making resources, such as loans and technical assistance, available to businesses.
  • To ensure the long-term viability of Egleston Square Main Street and its mission by fostering partnerships, cultivating donors and sponsors, organizing fundraising events, increasing membership and involving volunteers.

HOW WE WORK:

ESMS follows the Four Point Approach to community revitalization developed by the National Main Street Center of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Four Point Approach focuses on Economic Development, Design, Promotion, and Organization. Each of these areas is the focus of a working committee, chaired by a member of the Board of Directors. Committee members need not be board members; click here to see how you can be involved!

COMMITTEES:

Egleston Square Main Street’s success is based on the work of five committees, the Board of Directors, and an executive director. The five committees enable business owners, residents and community organizations to be involved in the development of the business district and the improvement of the neighborhood. Read on to find out more about what each committee does.

Want to help bring new businesses to the district?
The Economic Development Committee seeks to strengthen the district’s existing economic assets while expanding and diversifying its economic base. The program helps sharpen the competitiveness of existing business owners and recruits compatible new businesses to build a commercial district that responds to the needs of Egleston Square residents and visitors. The committee also maintains up-to-date market information. Learn more about Egleston Square by reading the first part of the Egleston Square Market Assessment and Business District Analysis.

Call Luis E. Cotto at Egleston Square Main Street at 617-522-7752 for meeting location and times.

Want to improve the look and feel of Egleston Square?
The Design Committee works to get Egleston Square into top physical shape by creating an inviting atmosphere through attractive storefronts, public improvements and accessible parking. Tackling the district’s safety, trash and traffic issues conveys a positive message about the commercial district and what it has to offer. Design activities also include instilling good maintenance practices in the commercial district.

Call Luis E. Cotto at Egleston Square Main Street at 617-522-7752 for meeting location and times.

Want to help with community events?
The Promotions Committee works to promote a positive image of Egleston Square and encourages visitors, residents, business owners and investors to shop, play and invest in the commercial district. By organizing special events such as the Peace Vigil, the Tree Lighting/Parranda Navideña and collaborating with other organizations on their events, the committee forges a positive image of Egleston Square and its unique characteristics.

Call Luis E. Cotto at Egleston Square Main Street at 617-522-7752 for meeting location and times.

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