WHAV (https://whav.net/category/business/)
The TD Bank branch in Bradford at 860 S. Main St., as well as one location in Methuen is closing June 5 as part of the nationwide restructuring of the Toronto-based financial services company. In all, 38 branches will close in the U.S. with four other Massachusetts locations on the list. They are in East Longmeadow, Framingham, Holyoke and Tewksbury. The Methuen location is a 547 Broadway. The company currently operates 125 branches in the state.
Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett will discuss property taxes for businesses and residents, among other topics, when she meets with members of the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce next Wednesday. Barrett is the latest public official to address business leaders during the Greater Haverhill Chamber’s “Eggs & Issues” breakfast Wednesday, March 19, from 7:30-9 a.m., at Pinnacle, Harbor Place, 2 Merrimack St., third floor, Haverhill. The Chamber says Eggs & Issues is aimed at “Bringing influential public and private figures together with the local business community for crucial conversations around the challenges and opportunities our region faces.”
Admission is $25 per person for Greater Haverhill Chamber members and $35 each for non-members. Seats may be reserved at HaverhillChamber.com.
The state of the economy is the theme of the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Spring Expo Luncheon with state Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao and a panel of local experts. Hao addresses the conference along with a panel of speakers including Louis Minicucci Jr. of Minco Corp., Jennifer Sloan of Pfizer and Merrimack Valley Planning Commission Executive Director Jerrard Whitten of the Merrimack Valley Economic Development Corp. The lunch takes place Wednesday, April 2, from noon to 1:15 p.m., at Phoenician Restaurant, 12 Alpha St., Haverhill. Admission is $39 each for members and $49 each for non-members. And may be reserved at MerrimackValleyChamber.com or by calling 978-686-0900.
Members of the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce are saying goodbye Friday to the A-1 Deli Restaurant, which is closing due to the retirements of its owners. Chamber members gather to honor legends Bobby, Tony and Paula Meidanis, who are retiring after 45 years of serving thousands of breakfasts, lunches and dinners. The gathering takes place Friday, March 14, at 1 p.m., at the restaurant, 92 Merrimack St. The business is slated to close at the end of the week but, as WHAV reported, L’Arche Boston North plans to renovate and reopen the café with some of A-1’s “prized recipes.” L’Arche’s Executive Director Jennifer Matthews told WHAV she expects the overhaul to update the space will take at least two months. “The intention behind the café is that students will become proficient in all phases of food preparation so that they are then qualified to work in other restaurants in the Merrimack Valley,” Matthews said.
Joseph’s Trattoria is hosting members of the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce tonight for a networking mixer. Besides meeting fellow members, the event features complimentary appetizers and a chance to win door prizes. It takes place tonight, March 11, from 5-7 p.m., at Joseph’s Trattoria Downtown, 6 Moulton Way, Haverhill. Admission is $10 each for members and $20 each for non-members and may be reserved online at MerrimackValleyChamber.com or by calling 978-686-0900.
Riverwalk Innovation District is having a wheelchair drive this month on behalf of Joni and Friends “Wheels for the World” program. Each year, an estimated 75,000 wheelchairs are thrown away in the United States, while 20 million people worldwide desperately need them. The Riverwalk team will again collect manual, adult and pediatric wheelchairs and wheelchair footrests. Wheelchairs may be dropped off at Lupoli Companies Marketing Studio, 290 Merrimack St., second floor, Lawrence. Collected wheelchairs are taken to Wheels for the World Restoration Centers in correctional centers where inmates restore the wheelchairs to like-new condition.
Katie Cook, who has worked for the last year for state Auditor Diana DiZoglio’s office, is the new president and CEO of the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce. Cook takes over from interim President and CEO Kate Martin, who served as vice president until taking over day-to-day operations in October when then-President Alexandria Eberhardt resigned to become executive director of the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce in Boston. “I am honored to step into this role and bring my energy and passion to the Haverhill business community,” said Cook. “Haverhill is a city with incredible momentum, and I look forward to working alongside our businesses, local leaders and community members to build on that success. Together, we can create new opportunities, strengthen connections and make Haverhill an even better place to live, work and visit.”
Allison Dolan-Wilson, the Chamber’s board president, said the organization conducted “an extensive search with many qualified candidates.” She added, “We are confident that Katie brings the leadership, passion and strategic vision needed to guide GHCC into its next chapter.”
While serving as chief operating officer at the state auditor’s office, Cook worked to improve efficiency and organizational culture.
Diners, after devouring their way through Haverhill’s Restaurant Week, Monday night selected the winners of the fourth annual Tasty Awards. Each award was signed by Tasty Awards Committee co-chairs Jimmy Carbone and Eva Montibello during an awards ceremony at Bosa Coastal Italian in Haverhill. “The Tasty Awards were founded in 2021 as part of an effort to elevate Haverhill Restaurant Week, celebrating the incredible culinary talent and hospitality that make our local dining scene so special,” they said. Among top award categories, the Most Amazing Restaurant Owner award went to Matt and Denise Gaiero of G’s Texas Southern Flare, while the Best Chef and Most Creative Chef went to Chris Kole of the Tap Brewing Company and the restaurant itself was honored as having the Best Vibe. Dam Geuda, with a menu of Korean food, was named the city’s best new restaurant.
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Congressional Reps. Seth Moulton and Lori Trahan, both Democrats, argued the Trump administration’s slashing of already-approved Congressional spending in the name of fraud, waste and abuse; illegal layoffs of federal employees; and an unprovoked verbal attack on the president of Ukraine by the president of the United States should worry Republicans as well as Democrats in a joint appearance yesterday at the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Congressional Breakfast. Trahan represents Massachusetts 3rd Congressional District, which includes Haverhill and Methuen. Moulton represents Massachusetts 6th Congressional District, which includes Groveland. Moulton said, “It shouldn’t matter what your politics are.