January 7, 2025 • 58 mins
On today’s program, we talk about the business of FIRST NIGHT Boston. We also travel down to Cape Cod to talk with the executive director of the Wequassett 5 star resort. The President of the Cape Cod chamber of commerce brings us up to speed on federal financing for the Cape Cod bridges amidst the changing administration. DJ Bosse walks us through his huge new Pickleball business at the Natick Mall. And finally, Joe Campanelli , president of Needham Bank talks about the banking climate in Massachusetts.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is the New England Business Report with Joe short
Sleeve and Kim Kerrigan, a weekly roundup and discussion of
the top business news impacting our New England economy.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
And good morning and welcome to the Nomendlo Business Report
on the Sunday morning, December the twenty ninth. Yeah, Christmas
has coming gone. You know, we're picking up all our
wrapping paper. Kim's looking at our electric bell because, oh
tell you, that's why saying with Kim Kerrigan, good morning
to you, Kim, Good.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Morning to you, my friend. I hope you had a
fabulous holiday. I've been hosting and I've washed so many
dishes I cannot begin to tell you for the last
week and a half. And I'm ready to bring the
new year in with takeout.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Hey, how long did the Christmas tree stay up at
the Kragan house? You know?
Speaker 3 (00:47):
I will get them down this week. I like to
get them down. Yeah afternoon, when it's over, it's over,
Yeah exactly. So of course they've been up since early November,
so that late Huh.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Right, all right, today's program, we're going to cover some
ground and uh we're going to talk with the t
K Scandarian of course. Uh, First Night just hours away
at this point here in the city of Boston. TK.
Of course, the company Conventures they organize and put together
this event every year. He's gonna share with us the
ins and outs of what everybody can expect this year.
(01:22):
And then also we're gonna head down to Cape Cod.
I'm going to talk with somebody who's been a regular
on this program. He's Gary Thulander and he's the executive
director of the five Star with Crosset Resort down there
on Cape Cod. Before that, of course, Gary was the
executive director of the Chatham Bars in so uh, Crosst
hired him away and now he's doing some good things
(01:43):
there in terms of well the Christmas business. Uh and uh.
You know, they were not a full time, year round
resort and they finally expanded. They were about eight months
a year and now they've expanded kim to almost ten
and a half.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
Yeah, I think right, and he's I think that they're
thinking about going even further. So that's really interesting. Yeah, Hey, Joe,
you know what, going back to First Night for just
a quick moment. I know that you've had many experiences
with First Night as I have, and haven't you run
the gamut of weather experiences. I can remember being out
(02:17):
there and pouring down rain. Watching the fireworks never dampens
anybody's spirits, by the way, they just go, go go.
And then I can remember being out there being so
cold that I thought I was all freezing spot.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
I think it's the cold that I remember one night
one time it was just so bitter cold.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
But you know, do you remember nineteen ninety nine when
we were all out there waiting for two thousand to
roll in, and we didn't know if the world was
gonna survive.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
It the sky I was actually at City Hall Plaza
that I was too.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
You and I were standing next to each other. I
was at a different television station and we were still
all of us just sort of and three two one,
and then we all just stood there.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Everybody held their breath. I was to walker that night
on the City Hall. But yeah, we remember that. Great take.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
Let's take a look at some of the other things
coming up in this show. You just mentioned going down
on the Cape. We're going to stay on the Cape
Paul NEDSWICKI. He is the President and CEO of the
Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. We're going to talk to
him about some of the does down there when it
comes to the holidays, And we're also going to talk
to him about the Cape Cod Bridges. Are they going
to get the funding that they need now that the
(03:33):
administration has changed or will change, and it's an administration
that maybe has had its issues with this very blue state.
So we'll talk with him about what he anticipates is
going to happen in twenty twenty five. We're also going
to be joined by one of the co owners of
(03:54):
Bossy Pickleball, which opened in November out there in Natick
at the former Neiman Marcus location. What a fantastic place.
DJ Bossi is going to join us now. We had
spoken to the chef, Chris Coombs, who is his co owner,
and then we had the chance to talk to DJ
(04:16):
about it from an athletic point of view because he's
a former tennis pro.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Right, Oh yeah, I no doubt about it. I've known
DJ for a long time. And now they've got some
twenty one pickleball course there out at the Natick Mall
and a Niman Arcus spot. It looks like it's a
great adventure. And what with the got four restaurants, right,
they have a lot going on there. It's everything pickleball,
so it's fun for something to do, you know, over
(04:42):
the holidays.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
That's a great take, right and these winter months when
you can't get outdoors, maybe to play. Finally, we'll be
joined by Joe Campanelli. He is the president and CEO
of Needham Bank. He looks back at twenty twenty four
in the world of banking and then looks forward to
what we can all anticipate in the coming year. Really
informative conversation there with Joe Campanelli.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
All Right, Kim, you know we've been talking about it.
Let's get to it. We're talking talking about First Night Austin.
Hard to believe it's here, you ever staring down twenty
twenty five and the folks of course at Conventures are
going to help us ring in the new year. TK
Scandarian is going to join us. And TK has been
a big part of arranging everything that is First Night
(05:27):
for the past several years, along with his mom, Dusty
Rose Scandarian. DK, thanks for joining us. Now, I think
everybody when they talk about First Night, we think about
the parade, we think about the two fireworks displays. Give
us an idea, give us the overview to First Night
this year.
Speaker 4 (05:45):
Yeah, every year. This is the forty ninth time we've
had First Night here in Boston. It's the first First
Night of its kind and it started on December thirty first,
nineteen seventy. And you know, it's really always meant to
be a free, in festive celebration for the people of
(06:08):
Boston who visit here, who live here, who come together
to celebrate the arts and culture that makes our city
so fantastic. And this year is another great one. We've
got more than twelve hours of free entertainment lined up,
as you mentioned, to fireworks displays, We've got a parade,
a ton of free activities with families and folks of
(06:31):
all ages to come down.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
And enjoy TK.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
I wanted to talk about the activities and what's happening
a little bit more, but first let's back up for
just a second. Joe and I were sort of reminiscing
off the top of the show about the many First
Nights that we have covered through the years, and it
used to be that you had to buy a button
to get into certain events, and that's not the case anymore.
So tell us a little bit about how this is financed.
Speaker 4 (06:57):
That's right. So First Night had always sort of been
a crowd funded thing before the word crowdfunding even existed.
Like it was a button based program where it is,
to get in to a venue, you needed to buy
a button and maybe it was ten bucks or twenty
bucks or whatever it was. But through time that model
(07:19):
became sort of unsustainable. The event was huge, and the
button sales were also huge, but not huge enough, and
the organization sort of fell on some hard times and
it was really in about twenty fifteen when the organization
that was running it at the time it basically ran aground,
(07:41):
and the City of Boston picked it up and kept
it going for a year or two because it's a
cherished event for this city. And then we had Conventures
picked it up and this is our tenth time producing
it on behalf of the city and the people of Boston.
So we changed the model a little bit. We got
away from the button program and depend now entirely on
(08:06):
corporate sponsorships and the companies and donate it. We'll take
some donations from folks in the public if they feel
so inclined, but we basically, uh make it, We make
it happen just off of a couple of corporate sponsors,
which is great and it's and that's how we can
make it free for everybody.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
All right, Well, let's talk about those corporate sponsors. Who
are they? How do they come to be?
Speaker 5 (08:30):
Uh?
Speaker 2 (08:30):
You know what what is the cost here? We're a
business program. Take us through some of this.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
Yeah, it's always it is always a grind every year
to find the right partners to come on board and
make any of them happen in this city. I mean,
finding corporate sponsors Boston based with heart, soul roots in
this town is always is always tough. So we have
(08:55):
found a couple of great a couple of great partners
and most notably It's It's Meat Boston, which the sort
of the the new rendition of the Visitor and Convention
Bureau here in Boston. And what it does is, uh,
you know, it helps support major tourism events in this
city and this is one of them. So they are
(09:15):
really on as our presenting sponsor that help us fund
the equipment, the lights, the fireworks, the performers and the
many expenses that we pick up.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
What does it costs? What's the bottom line cost on
what it takes to put on this this event each year.
Speaker 4 (09:32):
Well, it's it's like hundreds of thousands of dollars to
put this thing on. Probably whether it's three hundred or
four hundred and two hundred, it's sort of all depends
on how much we bring in from a sponsorship perspective,
and then we spend everything that we bring in we
put into the event.
Speaker 6 (09:51):
And in fact, in.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
Some cases we convince ourselves bridge the gap if there's
a if there's a gap, to help up pull it off,
pull it off together. So it is, you know, this
thing began as a community volunteer led thing and nonprofit,
and we very much operated in that same respect these days.
(10:13):
We you know, it is definitely not something that we
make money off of and or do we want to it.
It really is a gift from us to the people
of the city and a way to keep this great
tradition alive, and we take a lot of pride in
doing that.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
So TK if somebody has lived under a rock and
doesn't know much about First Night, because I can't imagine
that you wouldn't, let's kind of explain to people it's
throughout the city. It's not just in one location, and
these events start early in the day on New Year's
Eve and go right up until we hit twenty twenty five.
Speaker 4 (10:51):
That's correct. It's essentially located right around City Hall of Clauses,
so that's where our main stage will be, and we've
got some other indoor venues around there that will host
things during the day, but there's some other satellite spots
that will have one or two shows during the day.
We work a lot with the churches in the Back
Bay area. They have a show typically every year on
(11:12):
New Year's even that's that's part of First Night.
Speaker 7 (11:14):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (11:15):
The Skating Club of Boston will do two I figure
skating performances at the Fraud Pond, which is part of
First Night, and then the Canal Side Food and Drink,
which is the new food hall over at the Cambridge
Side Gallery is a new venue for us this year.
They'll be hosting two performances. But folks, but you know,
(11:35):
the folks at the Boston Public Market will will have
some things during the day. And of course that's right
down the steps from all of our programming at City
Hub Plaza and City Hull Plus is where the ice
sculptures will be. That is where our parade will begin,
and that is where again, most of our main stage,
all of our main stage programming will occur. That is
the that is the hub, and that is where the
(11:58):
we'll do the big countdown and ring in the new year.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
And what's still sitting on TK Skendarien's desk that's not done?
What's keeping you occupied at this point?
Speaker 4 (12:10):
Good question. At this point, you know, there is a
lot of there'll be a lot of media interest that
ramps up once we get through Christmas and there's a
get closer to the day itself. The folks in the
media regionally, not just in Boston, but turn their attention
to Boston. We help take care of them. But all
of the permitting is done. We've got a good team
(12:31):
at Conventures that has helped been working at this for
months to help put everything in a good position. You know,
once we get to mid December, we really want to
be entirely buttoned up and ready for a curve ball shape.
One get thrown our way. And sometimes there is, whether
it's a weather incident or a protect or someone gets sick.
(12:53):
I mean, there's things that we have to be ready
to respond and react to. And we can do that
better when all of our plans and is pretty much
done and thanks to our good team uh it is
so again permits all the vendors who need to be arranged,
whether it's lighting, sound security. We've been working with the
(13:15):
folks at the Mayor's office for months and months. They
are great partners in this. Of course our hosts this year,
as they are letting us use City Hall plausa. So
so at this point we're kind of ready for the
for the curve ball that's coming, I mean planning Boston.
Speaker 3 (13:37):
Yeah, I just hope it's not mother nature. She can
throw some things.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
That's I'm sure you can handle it. I'm sure they can.
He's t K Scandarian of Conventures, and we appreciate him
taking time on talking to us here on the New
England Business Support about First Night Boston. Up next, Okay,
what do you think the top stories were of twenty
twenty four. Well, Doug Banks, the executive editor of the
Boston Business Journal, is going to share his list in
just a moment.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
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Speaker 3 (17:23):
A welcome back everyone, all right, So Joe, let's get
in the card and let's heads south. Actually, I think
this is something you're planning to do anyway, isn't it.
Cape Cod go down and you know Cape Cod it's
not just for summers anymore. And you certainly know that
the holiday season can be a spectacular time there on
(17:44):
the Cape, as can you know, the full the full
winter season and joining us now to talk a little
bit more about what the holiday and winter season is like.
Down there on the cape is the area general manager
of the Word Constant Resort and Golf Club. Gary Fulander
is our guest. Gary. It's great to have you with us,
like many times you've been with us before.
Speaker 11 (18:06):
Thanks for having me. We can enjoyed the show.
Speaker 3 (18:08):
This is the second annual Enchanted Winter season. You're calling
it there at the Word Cosset. Tell me what that entails.
Speaker 6 (18:16):
Well, it's a great celebration. It's multiple programs that go
on over a several week period. But yeah, the Enchanted
Winter of a quats its First of all, the property
is beautifully decorated. Let as soon as you pull through
the front gate. So the property it just it just
it screams the holiday celebration for sure. But you know,
obviously we have a great Christmas tree lighting ceremony with
(18:39):
fireworks with Santa Claus. We have a merry market that
we have merchants here that people can chop with and
get really nice kid cod type them gifts for their
family and friends. We have a really cool Christmas cookie contests.
Speaker 2 (18:54):
And gotta have that that for sure.
Speaker 6 (19:00):
Yeah, so we have you know, several bakeries from not
only the Cape, from Massachusetts that's come in. We have
actually three a few judges, some of them from the
Food Network Champions that came in to judge, and that
was a lot of.
Speaker 11 (19:13):
Fun and something really fun for the kids.
Speaker 12 (19:15):
You know.
Speaker 6 (19:15):
We have Pajana Pajama Brunch party, We have Missus Klass's Cottage,
so many many things that are spread out so people
can come and enjoy from a hotel, guest staying at
the hotel, or community folks coming in to enjoy our
resort experience.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
Talking with Gary Thulander, he of course the managing director
at the Aquaset Resort and golf club right down there
on Cape Cod Gary big picture in terms of you know,
the Cape and Christmas time, you know, for many years
it was like pretty pretty quiet, you know, but it
seems like that's changed. More people are down there year round,
full time, and it seems like businesses like the Requaset
(19:53):
Resort are responding. How big is the Christmas season at
this point down there?
Speaker 11 (19:58):
It's definitely growing.
Speaker 6 (19:59):
I mean see, you know, we're selling out for weekends
for sure, and especially for Christmas Christmas Eve for next year,
that's going to be very good for us. And obviously
we have New Year's Eve celebration here that we only
have a couple of seats left, so it's a room
available for New Year's Eve for the wonderful dining, and
we have Ray Green and the All Nighters.
Speaker 11 (20:20):
Ray Green actually is in.
Speaker 6 (20:21):
The plays in the Santana's band, So really cool celebrations
here on their holidays. But just in general, Cape Con
is definitely more of a year round destination. You know,
twenty thirty years ago used to be pretty sleepy, and
more people are living here year round and much definitely
(20:42):
much more vibrance than it has been in the past.
So definitely a great place for destination from the drive
market for sure.
Speaker 3 (20:48):
Gary. There will constant of course, a five star resort
there on the Cape, and it was a year ago,
i believe in February when you guys announced that that
the resort would now be a you know, or open
year round, with the exception of maybe six weeks or
so in January. I'm sure to give your staff a break,
give us an idea of why that decision was made
(21:11):
and what that means for the resort.
Speaker 6 (21:15):
Well, we're definitely you know, we're following basically the market
and traditionally what Coasta was only open for eight months
and closed for four and we truly feel that with
the right programming and the right experience, as you're saying
from a five star standpoint and luxury experience, there are
people wanting one to have a once you get away
(21:36):
in kip Kan, So we're trying to make sure that
we grow our market there. As you said, we are
closed in January where we opened just mid February, right
around Valentine's Day, and we feel that, you know, we're
definitely a ten and a half month to eventually a
twelve month resort here in the Cave for sure. But
we have an exciting year coming up. We have a
(21:58):
lot of great improvement in some investments coming up, which
I'm sure I I'd love to talk about.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
Yeah, go right ahead. That's why we're having you on
so well.
Speaker 6 (22:08):
The additional things is that with EO's Hospitality and our
owner's EOS investment, they're very excited about our property and destination,
so they there continue to put invest money into property.
First phase was last year in twenty twenty four where
we did some of the signature cottages, our main reception
(22:28):
lobby was already done, our signature dieting venues were freshened,
along with some meeting space and our pool cabanas. But
in twenty twenty five we're currently it could be renovating
one hundred and thirteen rooms. So it's a twelve million
another twelve million dollars investment in twenty twenty five to
really make sure that we are the freshest resort probably
(22:50):
in the Northeast coming into the season. So we're very
excited about where we have to offer far resort experience.
Wow with our great food and in service.
Speaker 2 (22:57):
Here, well, that speaks volumes about what you see in
terms of business coming your way. Certainly with an investment
like that. Of course, everybody I don't know if everybody knows,
but a lot of people know that Gary Thulander was
the executive director over the Chatham Bars and now that's
the other five star resort just down the road. I'm
curious though about about you know, your transition. Obviously Recross
(23:19):
it came and hired you away and now you're doing
magical things there. But what's the difference. I mean, got
two five star resorts within a stone throw of each other.
You know, how do you separate yourself?
Speaker 11 (23:33):
That's a great question.
Speaker 6 (23:34):
I think, you know, kid Kat is so blessed to
have these two properties, iconic properties. You know, both are
historic and we're celebrating our centennial this year at West
Channa of bars In, I think is about one hundred
and ten years old. I've enjoyed, you know, I've enjoyed
both properties, and I've been blessed to be able to
lead both properties. But you know, with a quasst I
(23:58):
was just excited to come and try to make a
difference to a build on when we're actually double five stars.
We have our twenty Atlantic our fine dining room is
five stars, and our resort is five stars. But you know,
building on that already success with the investments this project,
I think we're going to position will cost it to
be one of the best seaside coastal properties on the
(24:19):
East Coast. And so I love it. I'd love a challenge,
and this is going to be a lot of fun
and and then go from there.
Speaker 3 (24:28):
So Gary talking to some of the people who are
listening who would like to make reservations for you know,
maybe after the resort opens in February. Again, what is
the booking like at this stage of the game and
what about next summer?
Speaker 11 (24:43):
Yeah, good question. Listen to a lot of people.
Speaker 6 (24:47):
That we have a lot of ep guests will make
their reservation before they leave the property from this past summer,
so they try to make sure they get their same
dates and the same accommodations that they have with their
families here after year. But listen, there's always room for
occupancy and for availability, so we always encourage people to
call the property directly, research online our website. You can
(25:11):
book through the website or called directly one of our
specialists here at the reservations department. But we anticipate a
really good season for twenty twenty five. Our pace, our
paces to this past year are very solid in the
leisure market, especially in the group market, and the catering market.
For the wedding market it's also very strong. So with
(25:32):
our investment, we feel there's going to be a strong
interests of coming to experience our new resort.
Speaker 11 (25:39):
Coming up this year.
Speaker 3 (25:40):
Carry through Lander, Happy holidays, and thank you so much
for being a part of the New England Business Report, Kem.
Speaker 1 (25:47):
Then Joe, we'll explore more business news that impacts our
New England economy when they return.
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That sounds great, But what about the cost bill Because
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Speaker 3 (27:39):
It sounds terrific. So the best prices and the best
quality call high Tech today at nine seven eight seven
seven one eight nine three nine. That's nine seven eight
seven seven one eighty nine thirty nine, or visit high
Tech Corp dot biz for a free estimate. Hi everybody,
(28:01):
I'm Kim Kerrigan and.
Speaker 2 (28:03):
I'm Joe Shortsley. If you want to be part of
the New England Business Report, sponsorships are still available.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
You can email us at any Business Radio at gmail
dot com.
Speaker 2 (28:14):
That's any Business Radio all one word at gmail dot
com and we'll get your business on the show too.
Brought to you by high Tech Windows. Their windows are
installed at the top of Mount Washington and are made
(28:34):
in New England for New England Weather and welcome back
to the New England Business Report on this Sunday morning
this summer. There's one day second Kim Carrigan, Joe Shortsleeve
and this is the spot in the program where we
take a look at some of the other business news
out there that you may have missed. This one is
actually just a travel report coming out of Logan Airport
(28:55):
and talk about how the economy is improving Boston An
International Airport. Kim so a record number of passengers passed
through its gates in twenty twenty four. Airport had forty
three million passengers this year. Now, the previous high was
forty two Is that back in forty two million back
in two thousand and nineteen. But the thing about this
(29:19):
is they released these stats about Okay, oh, the airport's
doing great, people coming through. But apparently there was this guy,
Reagan Berry of Boston who is the forty third millionth
passenger to pass through Logan Airport and he was honored
with free tickets from Delta Airlines. Imagine this guy and
(29:42):
I was just coming it was I that day. Not
a great prize just some tickets to I mean, I
think I was expecting a little bit more than that.
Speaker 3 (29:51):
Yeah, yeah, you know. I am amazed by these numbers
because it felt like twenty two was the year that
people really traveled a lot, because you couldn't travel for
such a long time, and you know, airports were packed
and it was crazy then. And I think those were
sort of record breaking numbers that year. And the fact
that it's continued to go up and the prices of
(30:14):
airline tickets have continued to go up. I just think
it's really interesting that so many people have said, I
don't care, you know, I'm going to get out there
and do my thing.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
It's such a busy airport, and yet when you land there,
it's like you're landing on a postage stamp.
Speaker 3 (30:28):
I mean, oh yeah, Joe, let me ask you this.
When's the last time you were there picking someone up?
You know, it's the constant. The construction at Logan Airport
is just insanity, right oh ye.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
Jet Blue terminal. See, I'm always there with the state
police yelling at me, going, you're the guy.
Speaker 3 (30:49):
Huh. Well, we are so happy to have Paul Ned's
wiki with us this morning. He is the President and
CEO of the Cape Codge Chamber of Commerce. Always great
to chat with, Paul. Paul, we were thinking about this,
Joe and myself, and we were wondering, and I think
Joe knows more because he spends a lot of time
(31:10):
down there. What Christmas means to the Cape off season
but an opportunity maybe to make some dollars down there.
Speaker 14 (31:20):
Yeah, No, Christmas increasingly in the holiday season in general,
has become a strong, a strong time of the year
for the Cape. A lot of people visit the Cape.
I mean, thirty seven percent of the housing stuck on
the Cape for second homes, and we're seeing people start
to use their second homes differently and we do see
them down here for the holidays.
Speaker 6 (31:41):
So it's a big season for us.
Speaker 2 (31:43):
And how has that changed over the years, Paul Nedswickie,
I mean it seems like nobody was there Christmas time ten, ten,
fifteen to twenty years ago, But what is it today?
Speaker 14 (31:52):
Yeah, No, we're busy, especially in the in the mid
Cape area. You know, I think you know more than
some of the summer visitors tend to be more outer
Cape National Seashore kind of people. But in the Lower
Cave mid Cape, Upper Cape. We see a lot of
people that are here for the holiday festivities, I mean,
and it's also we have a lot more businesses and
(32:18):
hospitality groups that are doing things to attract people. And
we have more hotels that are open year round now
that we'll cross it in in Harwich, for example, went
year round last year, so they've got event scheduled through
the holidays, as the Chatham Bar is in, We've got
the Heritage Museum and gardens and Sandwiches is right over
the bridge that has their gardens, a globe that sells
(32:41):
out every year. Mashpee Commons has special events, and then
there are strolls and parades really all throughout the Cape. Yeah,
so there's a lot going on.
Speaker 4 (32:49):
Even the Cape Cod.
Speaker 14 (32:50):
Railroad, for example, has a polar express rack so you
can bring the kids. So there's a lot that's going
on in the Cape. And we started to market the
holidays on the Cape a lot more and we're seeing
more people down here because of that.
Speaker 3 (33:06):
Now, I know, Joe just ask you this, but I
do want to go back and circle, you know, fifteen
twenty years ago, was this you know, was this an
event on the Cape at all, or where a lot
of places closed and Christmas just the holiday season just
wasn't a part of it.
Speaker 14 (33:23):
A lot of places twenty years ago would have been
closed in the Cape. It was a real sort of
seasonal destination for a long time, but it's become less so,
and even since the pandemic, really we've seen people are
here more year round. You know, the shoulder seasons are
really strong. Used to be July and August, you know,
(33:44):
they're still up prime months, but tune in September have
become a very strong month for us. In October in particular,
this year was a really strong month.
Speaker 2 (33:54):
You talked about we Classet and the Chatham Bars, both
five star resorts on Cape cod both open year round
now both doing Christmas. Who's the customer? Who's the client
and where are they coming from?
Speaker 14 (34:06):
Most of the clients come from sort of the New England,
New York, New Jersey area. That's where we see most
people come from. There is probably about ten percentators or
international travelers as well. But you know we have a
strong clientele and a lot of repeat customers.
Speaker 3 (34:27):
Yeah. Well, it's charming there. So it's a great way
I think to snuggle up to a fireplace and enjoy
some holiday spirit. I hope it's a great holiday there
on the cave. Paul Medswiki, thank you so much for
being a part of this.
Speaker 5 (34:41):
Kim.
Speaker 2 (34:42):
We've been talking about it. We've been talking about Bossy
pickleball out there in Natick. And you know, I knew
DJ Bossi in the nineties and early two thousands. I
was actually a member of a tennis club there in Weston,
Whiteman Tennis Club, and he was the big deal. He
was the tennis bro. So everybody who DJ and we
had a chance to meet him. Of course, he went
on to do great things and now look what he's
(35:03):
done to Neiman Marcus. Oh my, I don't know if
you saw the Globe article, but what glowing article twenty
one pickleball courts, an Italian restaurant and a childcare center.
Take a look inside Bossy at the Natick Mall and
DJ joins us. Now welcome, DJ.
Speaker 12 (35:22):
Good morning, Joe, Good morning, Kim, Good morning, sir.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
So tell us about well, first of all, how's it going.
Speaker 12 (35:31):
Well, you know, we just opened and it has been
beyond expectation, so excited to open. Took us about forty
weeks to build. We started in January this year and
it was a mad dash to the finish to get
open for the holidays. And we're so excited to launch
(35:52):
Pickle Them in the suburbs here in Natick and thank
the iconic, conic building that was Neiman Marcus and basically
transform it into a entertainment, sport, great food experience.
Speaker 3 (36:13):
Well, it's so interesting to me, DJ, because we've had
Chris Combs on who is your business partner and who
is the chef overseeing all of the restaurants there. But
I think it's just such an interesting combination. Someone who
comes from the sports side of this and then someone
who comes from the hospitality side. That must be a
great partnership.
Speaker 12 (36:34):
Yeah, you know, Kim, when I you know, when when
I made the call to Chris and ran, you know,
a combination of this concept by him. You know, Initially
I was, you know, trying to figure out how do
we how to incorporate food and you know, the more
social experience to pickleball, and Chris and I started talking
(36:59):
and came up with this vision. And there isn't a
location or an experience in the country where a four
star chef has partnered with someone, you know, who's a
former you know, professional athlete and tennis player and business
entrepreneur on the sports side. And it's a real dynamic
(37:24):
partnership which essentially made this happen because you know, you
can't be good at everything, and you know, I having
this partnership is so crucial to have everything at the
very you know, high level from experience and the way
the facility works, the way it operates is very important.
(37:47):
And you know, to have a four star chef out
in Natick, they you know, suburbs have never had a
four star chef. And having great food and a destination
for people to come and just dine and just watch
or or come and play and then walk off the
courts and then have a great place to eat an
(38:08):
amazing bakery and cafe with Giselle Miller and with with
Chef Coombs is tremendous for us.
Speaker 2 (38:18):
Talking with DJ Bossy, he of course is Bossy pickleball
there at the Natick mall and the name and Marcus
location there in the is co owner with the celebrity
chef Chris Combs. DJ, We're a business program. I'm curious
as to what data points you're watching at this point.
I mean is it memberships? Is it restaurant receipts. I
(38:40):
mean you've got court rentals, you got walkins. What data
points are you watching?
Speaker 12 (38:45):
So we are you know, I'm looking at obviously, you know,
membership in the amount of players, that initial wave of
people coming. And the way I kind of look at
at the overall model is people love the courts? Do
they love the lighting? Right? The locations, the Triple A location,
(39:06):
How do they like the food? How do they use
this business? And you know, in our short kind of
ten day open you know quick view, everything so far
is meeting the meeting.
Speaker 11 (39:24):
It's mark.
Speaker 12 (39:25):
People love the love the food in the enoteca and
the bakery. The courts play great. They have a gel
in their surface so people can feel good after they
play on their joints. The lighting is great. We have
great partners in Franklin Sports and in draftings with Monster,
(39:48):
many great partners, and so those early indicators are extremely well.
I mean last night was really our second you know,
Wednesday night so to speak, that were open and twenty
one courts were open for We're busy majority of the
night from seven to nine thirty ten, and so looking
(40:10):
to see kind of how people what people's habits are
when they play, and then kind of provide the programming
around it.
Speaker 3 (40:21):
DJ I love this idea that you guys have partnered
with the likes of DraftKings. Tell everybody how you know,
because I think if you get people in there, they're
obviously going to be sports minded. This can really lead
to something else.
Speaker 12 (40:38):
Yeah, you know, so DraftKings will be a great partner
for us. We have our sports lounge upstairs which has
four full swing simulators. We have six dart lanes, we
have a sports theater that seats forty five with a
giant screen, that high definition screen, and a bar that
(41:06):
seats about forty seven with some additional dining spaces around
it in a conference room, and it's a twenty one
plus loc facility, and it's really catered around sports and
we'll have fight nights and all of those combinations between
(41:28):
UFC pickleball championships, Patriots games, ruins. It's really a destination
where people that love sports that can come in and
with the partnership of DraftKings and QR codes they can download,
they'll get their bonus bets, they'll get their promotions through
DraftKings to come and come and visit the Sports Lounge
(41:53):
and enjoy their evening here by having a great menu
from Chef Combs and watching sports and they can jump
on their app and we have a sports ticker, a
couple of tickers around the facility that shows the odds,
the odds lines, and basically it's say kind of more
(42:15):
the future of how people are looking at sports. Many
like to do their little five dollars bet here or
their pools and their fantasy football and their fantasy sports,
and so you know, with the partnership of DraftKings, it
just basically finishes, you know, the experience.
Speaker 2 (42:38):
DJ Bossi is our guests. I'm curious as to how
you got to this day. Do you have a group
of investors and at some point you all decided to
do this, And I'm wondering about your Do you own
the space out there at Thnatic made do you run
from naming Marcus?
Speaker 12 (42:52):
Yes, so we have a long term lease and Bullfinch,
the Schleger brothers, Eric and Robert owned this piece of property.
They bought this end cap a couple of years ago
from from Neiman Marcus and they initially permitted it for
a lab use and then you know, the lab spaces
(43:17):
basically took a big dive and the space was open
and available, and I very quickly created a partnership with
Bulfinch and we worked through the business terms and signed
a long term lease with them. And you know, and
(43:40):
really to make a business work like this, you know,
you need a couple of good partners because it's a
big undertaking. It's one hundred thousand square feet. It's not
an insignificant build out, and it's an expensive project. But
you know, at the side, in scale, it makes sense.
(44:02):
And looking at the demographics in the Natick Mall has
approximately eleven million visitors a year. On the quietest day
of the year, there's about five thousand people that come
through the mall on a daily basis, and on Black
Friday there were one hundred thousand people in the mall.
Speaker 7 (44:21):
Wow.
Speaker 12 (44:22):
So it's a perfect location for this type of use.
Perfect And you know, and therefore Level ninety nine put Shack,
Dave and Busters. These you know, they're popping up in
these type of locations all over the country.
Speaker 2 (44:39):
All right, he's DJ Bossi, He's the owner of Bossy
Pickleball out there at the Natick Mall. We wish you
the best going into the new year. Up next, we're
going to be talking about, well, what happened to micher
Michelle Woo's plan the mayor of Boston plan to raise
commercial property tax rates in Boston. That story's up next.
Speaker 1 (45:03):
You are listening to the New England Business Report on
the Voice of Boston WRKO six 't eighty Joe and
Kim will be right back.
Speaker 3 (45:14):
Hi, everybody, it's Kim Carra get along with Bill Chase
of high Tech Windows Insiding. Now, Bill, we've been hearing
a lot about your windows being the same windows installed
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Speaker 2 (45:27):
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Speaker 3 (45:37):
That sounds great, But what about the cost, Bill, Because
things have been pretty tight for people these days.
Speaker 8 (45:42):
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Our windows are half the price of the big window companies,
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It sounds terrific, So the best prices and the best quality.
Call high Tech today at nine seven eight seven seven
one eight nine three nine. That's nine seven eight seven
seven one eighty nine thirty nine, or visit high Techcorp
dot viiz for a free estimate.
Speaker 5 (46:14):
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Speaker 9 (47:15):
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Speaker 3 (48:21):
Hi, everybody, I'm Kim Kerrigan and.
Speaker 2 (48:23):
I'm Joe Sharpsley. If you want to be part of
the New England Business Report, sponsorships are still available.
Speaker 3 (48:30):
You can email us at any Business Radio at gmail
dot com.
Speaker 2 (48:35):
That's any Business Radio all one word at gmail dot
com and we'll get your business on the show too.
Speaker 1 (48:50):
The New England Business Report on WRKO is brought to
you in part by Subaru of New England. Feel the
freedom of a brand new twenty twenty four Subaru featuring
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Speaker 2 (49:06):
All right, as promised, we're going to be talking with
the CEO and President of need Um Bank, Joe Campanelli.
He's a familiar name in the Boston market. He is
also somebody that Kim and I have talked to in
the past when Kim and I wore our Bloomberg hats.
We welcome Joe to the program today. Joe, thanks very
much for joining us. You know, one thing I noticed
(49:28):
is I was looking at some of the literature concerning
you and need Him Bank is that the stock went
public and it seems like you've doubled the stock value already.
So you're doing you're doing something right over there at
Needum Bank. Tell us, tell us a little bit more.
Speaker 7 (49:43):
Well, it was certainly going in the right direction. Uh,
you know, it's been exciting to really go through the
public process. And really when we talked last time, we
were thinking about only because our growth has been very strong. Uh,
you know, I believe it was in spite of the
challenges we have as at a time on a national level. Well,
I think the Great Boston economy is still pretty healthy
(50:03):
environment and we're filling a nice need from us, you know,
a business and consumer's perspective, and you know, we work
really hard and we'd like to say we're getting bigger
by staying small in the sense that were accessible. We
believe in providing top quality service and it's all working.
Speaker 3 (50:19):
So Jill, let's take kind of a big picture of view,
and here we are at almost at the end of
the year. Talk about twenty twenty four as a whole
when it comes to the banking industry.
Speaker 7 (50:32):
You know, that's an excellent question because it's been you know,
I think the volatility just given the geopolitical issues on
a you know, international basis, the election year really with
a lot of the campaign rhetoric going around and the
whole issue on interest rates to where we are as
a local economy and national economy, I think there's a
(50:53):
lot of noise out there, so to speak, and I
think things are selling down. One thing I think that
comes out very clear and strong is that we do
have a healthy environment economy. I think we still need
to make sure that people can afford to live here
and work here. You know, I always get concerned about
out migration as a region. But I think all in all,
(51:15):
just given the adversity of our economy with healthcare, you know,
some of the great college universities here, the life science industry,
private equity, you know, we really do have a robust
economy that helps us go through some of these are
areas of uncertainty.
Speaker 2 (51:30):
Talking with the President and CEO of Needham Bank, Joe Campinelli,
as we began this interview, you mentioned that you're growing
and you're seeing growth. So tell us about the data
points you're watching there. Where is Needom Bank growing and
how you're doing it.
Speaker 7 (51:45):
Yeah, I think there's a great market out there for
companies like ourselves that are really fully customer centric. You know,
we like to recruit people that are really a passionate
about providing exceptional service and being good listeners, and we
would provide a value added service through whether an individual,
your household, your small business, or a large company or
(52:08):
big developer. We've got great people that are focused on
those markets. And it works. I mean, we do what
we say we're.
Speaker 2 (52:15):
Going to do.
Speaker 7 (52:16):
I think it's you know, a good old basic business
providing a great service and people responsive and word of
mouth helps a lot, so we get bringing more and
more customers to us.
Speaker 3 (52:28):
Joe, is there an area that you hope as we
roll into twenty five that the bank can build more readily?
You know, maybe a sector that you'd like to kind
of focus on.
Speaker 7 (52:42):
Yes, we've always been known as the builders Bank, and
most of that isn't focused around construction, lending, housing and
those types of things, which we continue to really pursue.
But we've also diversified into the small business arena, middle
market companies, closely held businesses that are looking with growth capital,
whether it's a build a building, is that working capital
to expand their products and services. I do have a
(53:04):
passion about the supplying demand of housing here. Rent as
record highs on a national level at local level, and
we really want our you know, our next generation to
be able to live in more in the communities that
they grow up in, which means that we need to
build more housing. You know, everyone realizes that, you know,
Massachusetts I think was something like two hundred thousand un
short to getting into more equilibrium between supply and demand.
(53:27):
And we want to see you know, people build their
families here. I think it's great we have all these
great colleges and universities, but when they graduate or trade
schools or whatever, we wanted to stay in this local market.
To do that, we really need more housing and accessibility
to affordable housing.
Speaker 2 (53:41):
Well, all right, how does need a bank play a
role in solving that problem?
Speaker 7 (53:46):
We work hardly. We look at how do you overcome
the high costs in the area of being more creative
on the financing structures. We work close to with a
lot of investors and developers to open up new markets.
You know, you can see you know, north, south and
West of Boston continue to grow and expand. Uh, you know,
construction levels for housing. I think the new mass Massachusetts
(54:10):
legislation around affordability and the transit based housing, working with
local communities and developers who provide financing to build the
much needed departments, and of course still residential units.
Speaker 3 (54:24):
So Joe, you said, and I don't want to quote
you exactly because I might misquote you, but essentially you
said that you want to be a big business but
still be a small you know, you know, community based
kind of a bank. How do you go about doing that?
How do you continue to cater to your customer base
in a way that they feel that you're you know,
(54:46):
you're not a big corporation that they can go in
and be called by name.
Speaker 7 (54:51):
I think that's it's a really good question, Cavi. And
it's not just unique to banking. I think it's unique
to all those in generals. It comes down to culture.
You know, it starts at the top accessibility. You know,
my cell phone's on our website. People call me and
I answered the phone and if supplied as cancer a phone,
which is kind of sad. You know, we don't believe
in long wait times, eight hundred numbers and those types
(55:11):
of things. Answer culture, where you want to be accessible.
You want to have an open door. You want to
be out in the community and listening on how we
can do a better job, but continue to prove ourselves.
And I think it's scalable. You know, we've doubled our
size and we continue to have that same level of
culture responsiveness, and its surrounding yourself with like minded people
to feel the same way and have the passion to
(55:32):
really work closely with our customers and our communities. And
I think it's healthy for young communities build strong, vibrant places.
We can you know, start a business, grow business, raise
a family, you know. I think it's good old fashioned
America and how you know, you attract them, to retain
good people, to stay focused on what managed.
Speaker 2 (55:52):
Joe Campanella is our guests presidentcy of need A Bank.
You know, Joe, I can't tell you the last time
was actually in a branch of min I think everything's
everything's the phone or perhaps maybe the laptop. How important
are the local branches.
Speaker 14 (56:06):
I think it's still very important.
Speaker 7 (56:08):
It's really interesting. I do believe we live in a
world who you want high tech, you want to be
able to do everything on your phone, but you also
want high touch, just times you want to talk to
a person. We just did a study of millennials and
say what can we do to provide better service to
the next generation. And I was pretty surprised they want
access to a branch when it comes to important decisions
like they should they buy a house, should they start saying,
(56:30):
when should they start saving for retirement? All those lifelong decisions.
You still want to deal with a person on it.
So how do you want that balance? And you know
people still build the branches and whether a fewer number
of banks, the number of branches continue to increase because
you want access.
Speaker 2 (56:45):
All right, Well, he's Joe Campanelli. He's the president's CEO
of a Needham Bank and we wish Joe merry Christmas
as we move into this holiday season.
Speaker 3 (56:57):
Well, Joe, that's going to do it for this edition
of the New England Business Report. In fact, that's going
to do it for this final show of twenty twenty four.
So I'm want to wish you a happy new year
and look ahead to twenty twenty five. Next Sunday, of course,
the two of us will be back. We're going to
be talking with Colin Young of State House News. Of course,
(57:18):
the legislature will be getting underway here shortly after the
new year. Lots on tap, so we'll find out what's
going on there, and we'll talk with John Hurst, head
of the Retailers Association here in Massachusetts, and find out
what this holiday season meant to his members. All of
that and much more coming up right here on the
New England Business Report next Sunday at eight am on
(57:40):
WRKO AM six eighty, The Voice of Boston
This is the New England Business Report with Joe short
Sleeve and Kim Kerrigan, a weekly roundup and discussion of
the top business news impacting our New England economy.
Speaker 2 (00:10):
And good morning and welcome to the Nomendlo Business Report
on the Sunday morning, December the twenty ninth. Yeah, Christmas
has coming gone. You know, we're picking up all our
wrapping paper. Kim's looking at our electric bell because, oh
tell you, that's why saying with Kim Kerrigan, good morning
to you, Kim, Good.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
Morning to you, my friend. I hope you had a
fabulous holiday. I've been hosting and I've washed so many
dishes I cannot begin to tell you for the last
week and a half. And I'm ready to bring the
new year in with takeout.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
Hey, how long did the Christmas tree stay up at
the Kragan house? You know?
Speaker 3 (00:47):
I will get them down this week. I like to
get them down. Yeah afternoon, when it's over, it's over,
Yeah exactly. So of course they've been up since early November,
so that late Huh.
Speaker 2 (01:01):
Right, all right, today's program, we're going to cover some
ground and uh we're going to talk with the t
K Scandarian of course. Uh, First Night just hours away
at this point here in the city of Boston. TK.
Of course, the company Conventures they organize and put together
this event every year. He's gonna share with us the
ins and outs of what everybody can expect this year.
(01:22):
And then also we're gonna head down to Cape Cod.
I'm going to talk with somebody who's been a regular
on this program. He's Gary Thulander and he's the executive
director of the five Star with Crosset Resort down there
on Cape Cod. Before that, of course, Gary was the
executive director of the Chatham Bars in so uh, Crosst
hired him away and now he's doing some good things
(01:43):
there in terms of well the Christmas business. Uh and uh.
You know, they were not a full time, year round
resort and they finally expanded. They were about eight months
a year and now they've expanded kim to almost ten
and a half.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
Yeah, I think right, and he's I think that they're
thinking about going even further. So that's really interesting. Yeah, Hey, Joe,
you know what, going back to First Night for just
a quick moment. I know that you've had many experiences
with First Night as I have, and haven't you run
the gamut of weather experiences. I can remember being out
(02:17):
there and pouring down rain. Watching the fireworks never dampens
anybody's spirits, by the way, they just go, go go.
And then I can remember being out there being so
cold that I thought I was all freezing spot.
Speaker 2 (02:28):
I think it's the cold that I remember one night
one time it was just so bitter cold.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
But you know, do you remember nineteen ninety nine when
we were all out there waiting for two thousand to
roll in, and we didn't know if the world was
gonna survive.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
It the sky I was actually at City Hall Plaza
that I was too.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
You and I were standing next to each other. I
was at a different television station and we were still
all of us just sort of and three two one,
and then we all just stood there.
Speaker 2 (03:00):
Everybody held their breath. I was to walker that night
on the City Hall. But yeah, we remember that. Great take.
Speaker 3 (03:11):
Let's take a look at some of the other things
coming up in this show. You just mentioned going down
on the Cape. We're going to stay on the Cape
Paul NEDSWICKI. He is the President and CEO of the
Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce. We're going to talk to
him about some of the does down there when it
comes to the holidays, And we're also going to talk
to him about the Cape Cod Bridges. Are they going
to get the funding that they need now that the
(03:33):
administration has changed or will change, and it's an administration
that maybe has had its issues with this very blue state.
So we'll talk with him about what he anticipates is
going to happen in twenty twenty five. We're also going
to be joined by one of the co owners of
(03:54):
Bossy Pickleball, which opened in November out there in Natick
at the former Neiman Marcus location. What a fantastic place.
DJ Bossi is going to join us now. We had
spoken to the chef, Chris Coombs, who is his co owner,
and then we had the chance to talk to DJ
(04:16):
about it from an athletic point of view because he's
a former tennis pro.
Speaker 2 (04:20):
Right, Oh yeah, I no doubt about it. I've known
DJ for a long time. And now they've got some
twenty one pickleball course there out at the Natick Mall
and a Niman Arcus spot. It looks like it's a
great adventure. And what with the got four restaurants, right,
they have a lot going on there. It's everything pickleball,
so it's fun for something to do, you know, over
(04:42):
the holidays.
Speaker 3 (04:43):
That's a great take, right and these winter months when
you can't get outdoors, maybe to play. Finally, we'll be
joined by Joe Campanelli. He is the president and CEO
of Needham Bank. He looks back at twenty twenty four
in the world of banking and then looks forward to
what we can all anticipate in the coming year. Really
informative conversation there with Joe Campanelli.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
All Right, Kim, you know we've been talking about it.
Let's get to it. We're talking talking about First Night Austin.
Hard to believe it's here, you ever staring down twenty
twenty five and the folks of course at Conventures are
going to help us ring in the new year. TK
Scandarian is going to join us. And TK has been
a big part of arranging everything that is First Night
(05:27):
for the past several years, along with his mom, Dusty
Rose Scandarian. DK, thanks for joining us. Now, I think
everybody when they talk about First Night, we think about
the parade, we think about the two fireworks displays. Give
us an idea, give us the overview to First Night
this year.
Speaker 4 (05:45):
Yeah, every year. This is the forty ninth time we've
had First Night here in Boston. It's the first First
Night of its kind and it started on December thirty first,
nineteen seventy. And you know, it's really always meant to
be a free, in festive celebration for the people of
(06:08):
Boston who visit here, who live here, who come together
to celebrate the arts and culture that makes our city
so fantastic. And this year is another great one. We've
got more than twelve hours of free entertainment lined up,
as you mentioned, to fireworks displays, We've got a parade,
a ton of free activities with families and folks of
(06:31):
all ages to come down.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
And enjoy TK.
Speaker 3 (06:35):
I wanted to talk about the activities and what's happening
a little bit more, but first let's back up for
just a second. Joe and I were sort of reminiscing
off the top of the show about the many First
Nights that we have covered through the years, and it
used to be that you had to buy a button
to get into certain events, and that's not the case anymore.
So tell us a little bit about how this is financed.
Speaker 4 (06:57):
That's right. So First Night had always sort of been
a crowd funded thing before the word crowdfunding even existed.
Like it was a button based program where it is,
to get in to a venue, you needed to buy
a button and maybe it was ten bucks or twenty
bucks or whatever it was. But through time that model
(07:19):
became sort of unsustainable. The event was huge, and the
button sales were also huge, but not huge enough, and
the organization sort of fell on some hard times and
it was really in about twenty fifteen when the organization
that was running it at the time it basically ran aground,
(07:41):
and the City of Boston picked it up and kept
it going for a year or two because it's a
cherished event for this city. And then we had Conventures
picked it up and this is our tenth time producing
it on behalf of the city and the people of Boston.
So we changed the model a little bit. We got
away from the button program and depend now entirely on
(08:06):
corporate sponsorships and the companies and donate it. We'll take
some donations from folks in the public if they feel
so inclined, but we basically, uh make it, We make
it happen just off of a couple of corporate sponsors,
which is great and it's and that's how we can
make it free for everybody.
Speaker 2 (08:26):
All right, Well, let's talk about those corporate sponsors. Who
are they? How do they come to be?
Speaker 5 (08:30):
Uh?
Speaker 2 (08:30):
You know what what is the cost here? We're a
business program. Take us through some of this.
Speaker 4 (08:35):
Yeah, it's always it is always a grind every year
to find the right partners to come on board and
make any of them happen in this city. I mean,
finding corporate sponsors Boston based with heart, soul roots in
this town is always is always tough. So we have
(08:55):
found a couple of great a couple of great partners
and most notably It's It's Meat Boston, which the sort
of the the new rendition of the Visitor and Convention
Bureau here in Boston. And what it does is, uh,
you know, it helps support major tourism events in this
city and this is one of them. So they are
(09:15):
really on as our presenting sponsor that help us fund
the equipment, the lights, the fireworks, the performers and the
many expenses that we pick up.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
What does it costs? What's the bottom line cost on
what it takes to put on this this event each year.
Speaker 4 (09:32):
Well, it's it's like hundreds of thousands of dollars to
put this thing on. Probably whether it's three hundred or
four hundred and two hundred, it's sort of all depends
on how much we bring in from a sponsorship perspective,
and then we spend everything that we bring in we
put into the event.
Speaker 6 (09:51):
And in fact, in.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
Some cases we convince ourselves bridge the gap if there's
a if there's a gap, to help up pull it off,
pull it off together. So it is, you know, this
thing began as a community volunteer led thing and nonprofit,
and we very much operated in that same respect these days.
(10:13):
We you know, it is definitely not something that we
make money off of and or do we want to it.
It really is a gift from us to the people
of the city and a way to keep this great
tradition alive, and we take a lot of pride in
doing that.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
So TK if somebody has lived under a rock and
doesn't know much about First Night, because I can't imagine
that you wouldn't, let's kind of explain to people it's
throughout the city. It's not just in one location, and
these events start early in the day on New Year's
Eve and go right up until we hit twenty twenty five.
Speaker 4 (10:51):
That's correct. It's essentially located right around City Hall of Clauses,
so that's where our main stage will be, and we've
got some other indoor venues around there that will host
things during the day, but there's some other satellite spots
that will have one or two shows during the day.
We work a lot with the churches in the Back
Bay area. They have a show typically every year on
(11:12):
New Year's even that's that's part of First Night.
Speaker 7 (11:14):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (11:15):
The Skating Club of Boston will do two I figure
skating performances at the Fraud Pond, which is part of
First Night, and then the Canal Side Food and Drink,
which is the new food hall over at the Cambridge
Side Gallery is a new venue for us this year.
They'll be hosting two performances. But folks, but you know,
(11:35):
the folks at the Boston Public Market will will have
some things during the day. And of course that's right
down the steps from all of our programming at City
Hub Plaza and City Hull Plus is where the ice
sculptures will be. That is where our parade will begin,
and that is where again, most of our main stage,
all of our main stage programming will occur. That is
the that is the hub, and that is where the
(11:58):
we'll do the big countdown and ring in the new year.
Speaker 2 (12:02):
And what's still sitting on TK Skendarien's desk that's not done?
What's keeping you occupied at this point?
Speaker 4 (12:10):
Good question. At this point, you know, there is a
lot of there'll be a lot of media interest that
ramps up once we get through Christmas and there's a
get closer to the day itself. The folks in the
media regionally, not just in Boston, but turn their attention
to Boston. We help take care of them. But all
of the permitting is done. We've got a good team
(12:31):
at Conventures that has helped been working at this for
months to help put everything in a good position. You know,
once we get to mid December, we really want to
be entirely buttoned up and ready for a curve ball shape.
One get thrown our way. And sometimes there is, whether
it's a weather incident or a protect or someone gets sick.
(12:53):
I mean, there's things that we have to be ready
to respond and react to. And we can do that
better when all of our plans and is pretty much
done and thanks to our good team uh it is
so again permits all the vendors who need to be arranged,
whether it's lighting, sound security. We've been working with the
(13:15):
folks at the Mayor's office for months and months. They
are great partners in this. Of course our hosts this year,
as they are letting us use City Hall plausa. So
so at this point we're kind of ready for the
for the curve ball that's coming, I mean planning Boston.
Speaker 3 (13:37):
Yeah, I just hope it's not mother nature. She can
throw some things.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
That's I'm sure you can handle it. I'm sure they can.
He's t K Scandarian of Conventures, and we appreciate him
taking time on talking to us here on the New
England Business Support about First Night Boston. Up next, Okay,
what do you think the top stories were of twenty
twenty four. Well, Doug Banks, the executive editor of the
Boston Business Journal, is going to share his list in
just a moment.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
You are listening to the New England Business Report on
the Voice of Boston w RKO six ' eighty Joe
and Kim will be right back.
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Speaker 3 (17:23):
A welcome back everyone, all right, So Joe, let's get
in the card and let's heads south. Actually, I think
this is something you're planning to do anyway, isn't it.
Cape Cod go down and you know Cape Cod it's
not just for summers anymore. And you certainly know that
the holiday season can be a spectacular time there on
(17:44):
the Cape, as can you know, the full the full
winter season and joining us now to talk a little
bit more about what the holiday and winter season is like.
Down there on the cape is the area general manager
of the Word Constant Resort and Golf Club. Gary Fulander
is our guest. Gary. It's great to have you with us,
like many times you've been with us before.
Speaker 11 (18:06):
Thanks for having me. We can enjoyed the show.
Speaker 3 (18:08):
This is the second annual Enchanted Winter season. You're calling
it there at the Word Cosset. Tell me what that entails.
Speaker 6 (18:16):
Well, it's a great celebration. It's multiple programs that go
on over a several week period. But yeah, the Enchanted
Winter of a quats its First of all, the property
is beautifully decorated. Let as soon as you pull through
the front gate. So the property it just it just
it screams the holiday celebration for sure. But you know,
obviously we have a great Christmas tree lighting ceremony with
(18:39):
fireworks with Santa Claus. We have a merry market that
we have merchants here that people can chop with and
get really nice kid cod type them gifts for their
family and friends. We have a really cool Christmas cookie contests.
Speaker 2 (18:54):
And gotta have that that for sure.
Speaker 6 (19:00):
Yeah, so we have you know, several bakeries from not
only the Cape, from Massachusetts that's come in. We have
actually three a few judges, some of them from the
Food Network Champions that came in to judge, and that
was a lot of.
Speaker 11 (19:13):
Fun and something really fun for the kids.
Speaker 12 (19:15):
You know.
Speaker 6 (19:15):
We have Pajana Pajama Brunch party, We have Missus Klass's Cottage,
so many many things that are spread out so people
can come and enjoy from a hotel, guest staying at
the hotel, or community folks coming in to enjoy our
resort experience.
Speaker 2 (19:32):
Talking with Gary Thulander, he of course the managing director
at the Aquaset Resort and golf club right down there
on Cape Cod Gary big picture in terms of you know,
the Cape and Christmas time, you know, for many years
it was like pretty pretty quiet, you know, but it
seems like that's changed. More people are down there year round,
full time, and it seems like businesses like the Requaset
(19:53):
Resort are responding. How big is the Christmas season at
this point down there?
Speaker 11 (19:58):
It's definitely growing.
Speaker 6 (19:59):
I mean see, you know, we're selling out for weekends
for sure, and especially for Christmas Christmas Eve for next year,
that's going to be very good for us. And obviously
we have New Year's Eve celebration here that we only
have a couple of seats left, so it's a room
available for New Year's Eve for the wonderful dining, and
we have Ray Green and the All Nighters.
Speaker 11 (20:20):
Ray Green actually is in.
Speaker 6 (20:21):
The plays in the Santana's band, So really cool celebrations
here on their holidays. But just in general, Cape Con
is definitely more of a year round destination. You know,
twenty thirty years ago used to be pretty sleepy, and
more people are living here year round and much definitely
(20:42):
much more vibrance than it has been in the past.
So definitely a great place for destination from the drive
market for sure.
Speaker 3 (20:48):
Gary. There will constant of course, a five star resort
there on the Cape, and it was a year ago,
i believe in February when you guys announced that that
the resort would now be a you know, or open
year round, with the exception of maybe six weeks or
so in January. I'm sure to give your staff a break,
give us an idea of why that decision was made
(21:11):
and what that means for the resort.
Speaker 6 (21:15):
Well, we're definitely you know, we're following basically the market
and traditionally what Coasta was only open for eight months
and closed for four and we truly feel that with
the right programming and the right experience, as you're saying
from a five star standpoint and luxury experience, there are
people wanting one to have a once you get away
(21:36):
in kip Kan, So we're trying to make sure that
we grow our market there. As you said, we are
closed in January where we opened just mid February, right
around Valentine's Day, and we feel that, you know, we're
definitely a ten and a half month to eventually a
twelve month resort here in the Cave for sure. But
we have an exciting year coming up. We have a
(21:58):
lot of great improvement in some investments coming up, which
I'm sure I I'd love to talk about.
Speaker 2 (22:03):
Yeah, go right ahead. That's why we're having you on
so well.
Speaker 6 (22:08):
The additional things is that with EO's Hospitality and our
owner's EOS investment, they're very excited about our property and destination,
so they there continue to put invest money into property.
First phase was last year in twenty twenty four where
we did some of the signature cottages, our main reception
(22:28):
lobby was already done, our signature dieting venues were freshened,
along with some meeting space and our pool cabanas. But
in twenty twenty five we're currently it could be renovating
one hundred and thirteen rooms. So it's a twelve million
another twelve million dollars investment in twenty twenty five to
really make sure that we are the freshest resort probably
(22:50):
in the Northeast coming into the season. So we're very
excited about where we have to offer far resort experience.
Wow with our great food and in service.
Speaker 2 (22:57):
Here, well, that speaks volumes about what you see in
terms of business coming your way. Certainly with an investment
like that. Of course, everybody I don't know if everybody knows,
but a lot of people know that Gary Thulander was
the executive director over the Chatham Bars and now that's
the other five star resort just down the road. I'm
curious though about about you know, your transition. Obviously Recross
(23:19):
it came and hired you away and now you're doing
magical things there. But what's the difference. I mean, got
two five star resorts within a stone throw of each other.
You know, how do you separate yourself?
Speaker 11 (23:33):
That's a great question.
Speaker 6 (23:34):
I think, you know, kid Kat is so blessed to
have these two properties, iconic properties. You know, both are
historic and we're celebrating our centennial this year at West
Channa of bars In, I think is about one hundred
and ten years old. I've enjoyed, you know, I've enjoyed
both properties, and I've been blessed to be able to
lead both properties. But you know, with a quasst I
(23:58):
was just excited to come and try to make a
difference to a build on when we're actually double five stars.
We have our twenty Atlantic our fine dining room is
five stars, and our resort is five stars. But you know,
building on that already success with the investments this project,
I think we're going to position will cost it to
be one of the best seaside coastal properties on the
(24:19):
East Coast. And so I love it. I'd love a challenge,
and this is going to be a lot of fun
and and then go from there.
Speaker 3 (24:28):
So Gary talking to some of the people who are
listening who would like to make reservations for you know,
maybe after the resort opens in February. Again, what is
the booking like at this stage of the game and
what about next summer?
Speaker 11 (24:43):
Yeah, good question. Listen to a lot of people.
Speaker 6 (24:47):
That we have a lot of ep guests will make
their reservation before they leave the property from this past summer,
so they try to make sure they get their same
dates and the same accommodations that they have with their
families here after year. But listen, there's always room for
occupancy and for availability, so we always encourage people to
call the property directly, research online our website. You can
(25:11):
book through the website or called directly one of our
specialists here at the reservations department. But we anticipate a
really good season for twenty twenty five. Our pace, our
paces to this past year are very solid in the
leisure market, especially in the group market, and the catering market.
For the wedding market it's also very strong. So with
(25:32):
our investment, we feel there's going to be a strong
interests of coming to experience our new resort.
Speaker 11 (25:39):
Coming up this year.
Speaker 3 (25:40):
Carry through Lander, Happy holidays, and thank you so much
for being a part of the New England Business Report, Kem.
Speaker 1 (25:47):
Then Joe, we'll explore more business news that impacts our
New England economy when they return.
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Speaker 3 (26:51):
FO Hi, everybody, it's givecare. Get along with Bill Chase
of High Tech Windows Insiding. Now, Bill, we've been hearing
a lot about your windows being the same windows installed
at the top of Mount Washington and that these windows
are only sold by High Tech.
Speaker 8 (27:10):
That's right, kim Our Summer Series windows are designed to
keep your house warm in the winter and cool in
the summer and can withstand the harsh New England weather
better than any other window on the market.
Speaker 3 (27:21):
That sounds great, But what about the cost bill Because
things have been pretty tight for people these days.
Speaker 8 (27:26):
Well that's a great reason to call us now. Kim
our windows are half the price of the big window companies,
and right now we are offering by one window, get
one off.
Speaker 2 (27:36):
But call us now.
Speaker 8 (27:37):
This is our bigger sale of the year.
Speaker 3 (27:39):
It sounds terrific. So the best prices and the best
quality call high Tech today at nine seven eight seven
seven one eight nine three nine. That's nine seven eight
seven seven one eighty nine thirty nine, or visit high
Tech Corp dot biz for a free estimate. Hi everybody,
(28:01):
I'm Kim Kerrigan and.
Speaker 2 (28:03):
I'm Joe Shortsley. If you want to be part of
the New England Business Report, sponsorships are still available.
Speaker 3 (28:09):
You can email us at any Business Radio at gmail
dot com.
Speaker 2 (28:14):
That's any Business Radio all one word at gmail dot
com and we'll get your business on the show too.
Brought to you by high Tech Windows. Their windows are
installed at the top of Mount Washington and are made
(28:34):
in New England for New England Weather and welcome back
to the New England Business Report on this Sunday morning
this summer. There's one day second Kim Carrigan, Joe Shortsleeve
and this is the spot in the program where we
take a look at some of the other business news
out there that you may have missed. This one is
actually just a travel report coming out of Logan Airport
(28:55):
and talk about how the economy is improving Boston An
International Airport. Kim so a record number of passengers passed
through its gates in twenty twenty four. Airport had forty
three million passengers this year. Now, the previous high was
forty two Is that back in forty two million back
in two thousand and nineteen. But the thing about this
(29:19):
is they released these stats about Okay, oh, the airport's
doing great, people coming through. But apparently there was this guy,
Reagan Berry of Boston who is the forty third millionth
passenger to pass through Logan Airport and he was honored
with free tickets from Delta Airlines. Imagine this guy and
(29:42):
I was just coming it was I that day. Not
a great prize just some tickets to I mean, I
think I was expecting a little bit more than that.
Speaker 3 (29:51):
Yeah, yeah, you know. I am amazed by these numbers
because it felt like twenty two was the year that
people really traveled a lot, because you couldn't travel for
such a long time, and you know, airports were packed
and it was crazy then. And I think those were
sort of record breaking numbers that year. And the fact
that it's continued to go up and the prices of
(30:14):
airline tickets have continued to go up. I just think
it's really interesting that so many people have said, I
don't care, you know, I'm going to get out there
and do my thing.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
It's such a busy airport, and yet when you land there,
it's like you're landing on a postage stamp.
Speaker 3 (30:28):
I mean, oh yeah, Joe, let me ask you this.
When's the last time you were there picking someone up?
You know, it's the constant. The construction at Logan Airport
is just insanity, right oh ye.
Speaker 2 (30:43):
Jet Blue terminal. See, I'm always there with the state
police yelling at me, going, you're the guy.
Speaker 3 (30:49):
Huh. Well, we are so happy to have Paul Ned's
wiki with us this morning. He is the President and
CEO of the Cape Codge Chamber of Commerce. Always great
to chat with, Paul. Paul, we were thinking about this,
Joe and myself, and we were wondering, and I think
Joe knows more because he spends a lot of time
(31:10):
down there. What Christmas means to the Cape off season
but an opportunity maybe to make some dollars down there.
Speaker 14 (31:20):
Yeah, No, Christmas increasingly in the holiday season in general,
has become a strong, a strong time of the year
for the Cape. A lot of people visit the Cape.
I mean, thirty seven percent of the housing stuck on
the Cape for second homes, and we're seeing people start
to use their second homes differently and we do see
them down here for the holidays.
Speaker 6 (31:41):
So it's a big season for us.
Speaker 2 (31:43):
And how has that changed over the years, Paul Nedswickie,
I mean it seems like nobody was there Christmas time ten, ten,
fifteen to twenty years ago, But what is it today?
Speaker 14 (31:52):
Yeah, No, we're busy, especially in the in the mid
Cape area. You know, I think you know more than
some of the summer visitors tend to be more outer
Cape National Seashore kind of people. But in the Lower
Cave mid Cape, Upper Cape. We see a lot of
people that are here for the holiday festivities, I mean,
and it's also we have a lot more businesses and
(32:18):
hospitality groups that are doing things to attract people. And
we have more hotels that are open year round now
that we'll cross it in in Harwich, for example, went
year round last year, so they've got event scheduled through
the holidays, as the Chatham Bar is in, We've got
the Heritage Museum and gardens and Sandwiches is right over
the bridge that has their gardens, a globe that sells
(32:41):
out every year. Mashpee Commons has special events, and then
there are strolls and parades really all throughout the Cape. Yeah,
so there's a lot going on.
Speaker 4 (32:49):
Even the Cape Cod.
Speaker 14 (32:50):
Railroad, for example, has a polar express rack so you
can bring the kids. So there's a lot that's going
on in the Cape. And we started to market the
holidays on the Cape a lot more and we're seeing
more people down here because of that.
Speaker 3 (33:06):
Now, I know, Joe just ask you this, but I
do want to go back and circle, you know, fifteen
twenty years ago, was this you know, was this an
event on the Cape at all, or where a lot
of places closed and Christmas just the holiday season just
wasn't a part of it.
Speaker 14 (33:23):
A lot of places twenty years ago would have been
closed in the Cape. It was a real sort of
seasonal destination for a long time, but it's become less so,
and even since the pandemic, really we've seen people are
here more year round. You know, the shoulder seasons are
really strong. Used to be July and August, you know,
(33:44):
they're still up prime months, but tune in September have
become a very strong month for us. In October in particular,
this year was a really strong month.
Speaker 2 (33:54):
You talked about we Classet and the Chatham Bars, both
five star resorts on Cape cod both open year round
now both doing Christmas. Who's the customer? Who's the client
and where are they coming from?
Speaker 14 (34:06):
Most of the clients come from sort of the New England,
New York, New Jersey area. That's where we see most
people come from. There is probably about ten percentators or
international travelers as well. But you know we have a
strong clientele and a lot of repeat customers.
Speaker 3 (34:27):
Yeah. Well, it's charming there. So it's a great way
I think to snuggle up to a fireplace and enjoy
some holiday spirit. I hope it's a great holiday there
on the cave. Paul Medswiki, thank you so much for
being a part of this.
Speaker 5 (34:41):
Kim.
Speaker 2 (34:42):
We've been talking about it. We've been talking about Bossy
pickleball out there in Natick. And you know, I knew
DJ Bossi in the nineties and early two thousands. I
was actually a member of a tennis club there in Weston,
Whiteman Tennis Club, and he was the big deal. He
was the tennis bro. So everybody who DJ and we
had a chance to meet him. Of course, he went
on to do great things and now look what he's
(35:03):
done to Neiman Marcus. Oh my, I don't know if
you saw the Globe article, but what glowing article twenty
one pickleball courts, an Italian restaurant and a childcare center.
Take a look inside Bossy at the Natick Mall and
DJ joins us. Now welcome, DJ.
Speaker 12 (35:22):
Good morning, Joe, Good morning, Kim, Good morning, sir.
Speaker 2 (35:26):
So tell us about well, first of all, how's it going.
Speaker 12 (35:31):
Well, you know, we just opened and it has been
beyond expectation, so excited to open. Took us about forty
weeks to build. We started in January this year and
it was a mad dash to the finish to get
open for the holidays. And we're so excited to launch
(35:52):
Pickle Them in the suburbs here in Natick and thank
the iconic, conic building that was Neiman Marcus and basically
transform it into a entertainment, sport, great food experience.
Speaker 3 (36:13):
Well, it's so interesting to me, DJ, because we've had
Chris Combs on who is your business partner and who
is the chef overseeing all of the restaurants there. But
I think it's just such an interesting combination. Someone who
comes from the sports side of this and then someone
who comes from the hospitality side. That must be a
great partnership.
Speaker 12 (36:34):
Yeah, you know, Kim, when I you know, when when
I made the call to Chris and ran, you know,
a combination of this concept by him. You know, Initially
I was, you know, trying to figure out how do
we how to incorporate food and you know, the more
social experience to pickleball, and Chris and I started talking
(36:59):
and came up with this vision. And there isn't a
location or an experience in the country where a four
star chef has partnered with someone, you know, who's a
former you know, professional athlete and tennis player and business
entrepreneur on the sports side. And it's a real dynamic
(37:24):
partnership which essentially made this happen because you know, you
can't be good at everything, and you know, I having
this partnership is so crucial to have everything at the
very you know, high level from experience and the way
the facility works, the way it operates is very important.
(37:47):
And you know, to have a four star chef out
in Natick, they you know, suburbs have never had a
four star chef. And having great food and a destination
for people to come and just dine and just watch
or or come and play and then walk off the
courts and then have a great place to eat an
(38:08):
amazing bakery and cafe with Giselle Miller and with with
Chef Coombs is tremendous for us.
Speaker 2 (38:18):
Talking with DJ Bossy, he of course is Bossy pickleball
there at the Natick mall and the name and Marcus
location there in the is co owner with the celebrity
chef Chris Combs. DJ, We're a business program. I'm curious
as to what data points you're watching at this point.
I mean is it memberships? Is it restaurant receipts. I
(38:40):
mean you've got court rentals, you got walkins. What data
points are you watching?
Speaker 12 (38:45):
So we are you know, I'm looking at obviously, you know,
membership in the amount of players, that initial wave of
people coming. And the way I kind of look at
at the overall model is people love the courts? Do
they love the lighting? Right? The locations, the Triple A location,
(39:06):
How do they like the food? How do they use
this business? And you know, in our short kind of
ten day open you know quick view, everything so far
is meeting the meeting.
Speaker 11 (39:24):
It's mark.
Speaker 12 (39:25):
People love the love the food in the enoteca and
the bakery. The courts play great. They have a gel
in their surface so people can feel good after they
play on their joints. The lighting is great. We have
great partners in Franklin Sports and in draftings with Monster,
(39:48):
many great partners, and so those early indicators are extremely well.
I mean last night was really our second you know,
Wednesday night so to speak, that were open and twenty
one courts were open for We're busy majority of the
night from seven to nine thirty ten, and so looking
(40:10):
to see kind of how people what people's habits are
when they play, and then kind of provide the programming
around it.
Speaker 3 (40:21):
DJ I love this idea that you guys have partnered
with the likes of DraftKings. Tell everybody how you know,
because I think if you get people in there, they're
obviously going to be sports minded. This can really lead
to something else.
Speaker 12 (40:38):
Yeah, you know, so DraftKings will be a great partner
for us. We have our sports lounge upstairs which has
four full swing simulators. We have six dart lanes, we
have a sports theater that seats forty five with a
giant screen, that high definition screen, and a bar that
(41:06):
seats about forty seven with some additional dining spaces around
it in a conference room, and it's a twenty one
plus loc facility, and it's really catered around sports and
we'll have fight nights and all of those combinations between
(41:28):
UFC pickleball championships, Patriots games, ruins. It's really a destination
where people that love sports that can come in and
with the partnership of DraftKings and QR codes they can download,
they'll get their bonus bets, they'll get their promotions through
DraftKings to come and come and visit the Sports Lounge
(41:53):
and enjoy their evening here by having a great menu
from Chef Combs and watching sports and they can jump
on their app and we have a sports ticker, a
couple of tickers around the facility that shows the odds,
the odds lines, and basically it's say kind of more
(42:15):
the future of how people are looking at sports. Many
like to do their little five dollars bet here or
their pools and their fantasy football and their fantasy sports,
and so you know, with the partnership of DraftKings, it
just basically finishes, you know, the experience.
Speaker 2 (42:38):
DJ Bossi is our guests. I'm curious as to how
you got to this day. Do you have a group
of investors and at some point you all decided to
do this, And I'm wondering about your Do you own
the space out there at Thnatic made do you run
from naming Marcus?
Speaker 12 (42:52):
Yes, so we have a long term lease and Bullfinch,
the Schleger brothers, Eric and Robert owned this piece of property.
They bought this end cap a couple of years ago
from from Neiman Marcus and they initially permitted it for
a lab use and then you know, the lab spaces
(43:17):
basically took a big dive and the space was open
and available, and I very quickly created a partnership with
Bulfinch and we worked through the business terms and signed
a long term lease with them. And you know, and
(43:40):
really to make a business work like this, you know,
you need a couple of good partners because it's a
big undertaking. It's one hundred thousand square feet. It's not
an insignificant build out, and it's an expensive project. But
you know, at the side, in scale, it makes sense.
(44:02):
And looking at the demographics in the Natick Mall has
approximately eleven million visitors a year. On the quietest day
of the year, there's about five thousand people that come
through the mall on a daily basis, and on Black
Friday there were one hundred thousand people in the mall.
Speaker 7 (44:21):
Wow.
Speaker 12 (44:22):
So it's a perfect location for this type of use.
Perfect And you know, and therefore Level ninety nine put Shack,
Dave and Busters. These you know, they're popping up in
these type of locations all over the country.
Speaker 2 (44:39):
All right, he's DJ Bossi, He's the owner of Bossy
Pickleball out there at the Natick Mall. We wish you
the best going into the new year. Up next, we're
going to be talking about, well, what happened to micher
Michelle Woo's plan the mayor of Boston plan to raise
commercial property tax rates in Boston. That story's up next.
Speaker 1 (45:03):
You are listening to the New England Business Report on
the Voice of Boston WRKO six 't eighty Joe and
Kim will be right back.
Speaker 3 (45:14):
Hi, everybody, it's Kim Carra get along with Bill Chase
of high Tech Windows Insiding. Now, Bill, we've been hearing
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Speaker 2 (45:27):
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Speaker 3 (45:37):
That sounds great, But what about the cost, Bill, Because
things have been pretty tight for people these days.
Speaker 8 (45:42):
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Our windows are half the price of the big window companies,
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Speaker 9 (47:15):
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Speaker 3 (48:21):
Hi, everybody, I'm Kim Kerrigan and.
Speaker 2 (48:23):
I'm Joe Sharpsley. If you want to be part of
the New England Business Report, sponsorships are still available.
Speaker 3 (48:30):
You can email us at any Business Radio at gmail
dot com.
Speaker 2 (48:35):
That's any Business Radio all one word at gmail dot
com and we'll get your business on the show too.
Speaker 1 (48:50):
The New England Business Report on WRKO is brought to
you in part by Subaru of New England. Feel the
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Speaker 2 (49:06):
All right, as promised, we're going to be talking with
the CEO and President of need Um Bank, Joe Campanelli.
He's a familiar name in the Boston market. He is
also somebody that Kim and I have talked to in
the past when Kim and I wore our Bloomberg hats.
We welcome Joe to the program today. Joe, thanks very
much for joining us. You know, one thing I noticed
(49:28):
is I was looking at some of the literature concerning
you and need Him Bank is that the stock went
public and it seems like you've doubled the stock value already.
So you're doing you're doing something right over there at
Needum Bank. Tell us, tell us a little bit more.
Speaker 7 (49:43):
Well, it was certainly going in the right direction. Uh,
you know, it's been exciting to really go through the
public process. And really when we talked last time, we
were thinking about only because our growth has been very strong. Uh,
you know, I believe it was in spite of the
challenges we have as at a time on a national level. Well,
I think the Great Boston economy is still pretty healthy
(50:03):
environment and we're filling a nice need from us, you know,
a business and consumer's perspective, and you know, we work
really hard and we'd like to say we're getting bigger
by staying small in the sense that were accessible. We
believe in providing top quality service and it's all working.
Speaker 3 (50:19):
So Jill, let's take kind of a big picture of view,
and here we are at almost at the end of
the year. Talk about twenty twenty four as a whole
when it comes to the banking industry.
Speaker 7 (50:32):
You know, that's an excellent question because it's been you know,
I think the volatility just given the geopolitical issues on
a you know, international basis, the election year really with
a lot of the campaign rhetoric going around and the
whole issue on interest rates to where we are as
a local economy and national economy, I think there's a
(50:53):
lot of noise out there, so to speak, and I
think things are selling down. One thing I think that
comes out very clear and strong is that we do
have a healthy environment economy. I think we still need
to make sure that people can afford to live here
and work here. You know, I always get concerned about
out migration as a region. But I think all in all,
(51:15):
just given the adversity of our economy with healthcare, you know,
some of the great college universities here, the life science industry,
private equity, you know, we really do have a robust
economy that helps us go through some of these are
areas of uncertainty.
Speaker 2 (51:30):
Talking with the President and CEO of Needham Bank, Joe Campinelli,
as we began this interview, you mentioned that you're growing
and you're seeing growth. So tell us about the data
points you're watching there. Where is Needom Bank growing and
how you're doing it.
Speaker 7 (51:45):
Yeah, I think there's a great market out there for
companies like ourselves that are really fully customer centric. You know,
we like to recruit people that are really a passionate
about providing exceptional service and being good listeners, and we
would provide a value added service through whether an individual,
your household, your small business, or a large company or
(52:08):
big developer. We've got great people that are focused on
those markets. And it works. I mean, we do what
we say we're.
Speaker 2 (52:15):
Going to do.
Speaker 7 (52:16):
I think it's you know, a good old basic business
providing a great service and people responsive and word of
mouth helps a lot, so we get bringing more and
more customers to us.
Speaker 3 (52:28):
Joe, is there an area that you hope as we
roll into twenty five that the bank can build more readily?
You know, maybe a sector that you'd like to kind
of focus on.
Speaker 7 (52:42):
Yes, we've always been known as the builders Bank, and
most of that isn't focused around construction, lending, housing and
those types of things, which we continue to really pursue.
But we've also diversified into the small business arena, middle
market companies, closely held businesses that are looking with growth capital,
whether it's a build a building, is that working capital
to expand their products and services. I do have a
(53:04):
passion about the supplying demand of housing here. Rent as
record highs on a national level at local level, and
we really want our you know, our next generation to
be able to live in more in the communities that
they grow up in, which means that we need to
build more housing. You know, everyone realizes that, you know,
Massachusetts I think was something like two hundred thousand un
short to getting into more equilibrium between supply and demand.
(53:27):
And we want to see you know, people build their
families here. I think it's great we have all these
great colleges and universities, but when they graduate or trade
schools or whatever, we wanted to stay in this local market.
To do that, we really need more housing and accessibility
to affordable housing.
Speaker 2 (53:41):
Well, all right, how does need a bank play a
role in solving that problem?
Speaker 7 (53:46):
We work hardly. We look at how do you overcome
the high costs in the area of being more creative
on the financing structures. We work close to with a
lot of investors and developers to open up new markets.
You know, you can see you know, north, south and
West of Boston continue to grow and expand. Uh, you know,
construction levels for housing. I think the new mass Massachusetts
(54:10):
legislation around affordability and the transit based housing, working with
local communities and developers who provide financing to build the
much needed departments, and of course still residential units.
Speaker 3 (54:24):
So Joe, you said, and I don't want to quote
you exactly because I might misquote you, but essentially you
said that you want to be a big business but
still be a small you know, you know, community based
kind of a bank. How do you go about doing that?
How do you continue to cater to your customer base
in a way that they feel that you're you know,
(54:46):
you're not a big corporation that they can go in
and be called by name.
Speaker 7 (54:51):
I think that's it's a really good question, Cavi. And
it's not just unique to banking. I think it's unique
to all those in generals. It comes down to culture.
You know, it starts at the top accessibility. You know,
my cell phone's on our website. People call me and
I answered the phone and if supplied as cancer a phone,
which is kind of sad. You know, we don't believe
in long wait times, eight hundred numbers and those types
(55:11):
of things. Answer culture, where you want to be accessible.
You want to have an open door. You want to
be out in the community and listening on how we
can do a better job, but continue to prove ourselves.
And I think it's scalable. You know, we've doubled our
size and we continue to have that same level of
culture responsiveness, and its surrounding yourself with like minded people
to feel the same way and have the passion to
(55:32):
really work closely with our customers and our communities. And
I think it's healthy for young communities build strong, vibrant places.
We can you know, start a business, grow business, raise
a family, you know. I think it's good old fashioned
America and how you know, you attract them, to retain
good people, to stay focused on what managed.
Speaker 2 (55:52):
Joe Campanella is our guests presidentcy of need A Bank.
You know, Joe, I can't tell you the last time
was actually in a branch of min I think everything's
everything's the phone or perhaps maybe the laptop. How important
are the local branches.
Speaker 14 (56:06):
I think it's still very important.
Speaker 7 (56:08):
It's really interesting. I do believe we live in a
world who you want high tech, you want to be
able to do everything on your phone, but you also
want high touch, just times you want to talk to
a person. We just did a study of millennials and
say what can we do to provide better service to
the next generation. And I was pretty surprised they want
access to a branch when it comes to important decisions
like they should they buy a house, should they start saying,
(56:30):
when should they start saving for retirement? All those lifelong decisions.
You still want to deal with a person on it.
So how do you want that balance? And you know
people still build the branches and whether a fewer number
of banks, the number of branches continue to increase because
you want access.
Speaker 2 (56:45):
All right, Well, he's Joe Campanelli. He's the president's CEO
of a Needham Bank and we wish Joe merry Christmas
as we move into this holiday season.
Speaker 3 (56:57):
Well, Joe, that's going to do it for this edition
of the New England Business Report. In fact, that's going
to do it for this final show of twenty twenty four.
So I'm want to wish you a happy new year
and look ahead to twenty twenty five. Next Sunday, of course,
the two of us will be back. We're going to
be talking with Colin Young of State House News. Of course,
(57:18):
the legislature will be getting underway here shortly after the
new year. Lots on tap, so we'll find out what's
going on there, and we'll talk with John Hurst, head
of the Retailers Association here in Massachusetts, and find out
what this holiday season meant to his members. All of
that and much more coming up right here on the
New England Business Report next Sunday at eight am on
(57:40):
WRKO AM six eighty, The Voice of Boston
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On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!