Latest news with #GreaterBoston
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Market Basket drama — Deli, devotion & doughnuts: Why we care so much
There's an old joke in politics that the most dangerous place on Earth is the space between an elected official and a microphone. If you live and work in the Greater Boston area, the second-most dangerous place just might be your local Market Basket on a Sunday morning in October when the Patriots are playing and the cider doughnuts are in the warmer. Throngs of customers, usually in team colors, barrel down the wide aisles, bobbing in and out of traffic with all the subtlety of drivers on the Southeast Expressway at rush hour. Their carts are filled with burgers, dogs, the key components for Italian subs from the deli aisle, buns and rolls, chips and drinks. Townie accents cut through the din. The regional chain is beloved for its low prices and wide selection. And while everyone has their favorite supermarket, the loyalty that Market Basket inspires is just next level. 'If you're not grocery shopping at Market Basket, you are getting ripped off,' one Reddit user asserted a few months back. The response they engendered was ... well ... passionate. The post garnered over 1,000 likes and 674 comments, prompting its author to marvel at the reaction. 'Wow, this really blew up!' they wrote. 'I have been to just one MB store and it's extremely well run, efficient, and while busy, everyone seems to act like rational humans.' And that loyalty can go back years — as evidenced by a review posted by one Yelp user. 'Over the years (I am now approaching 80), I have shopped at numerous supermarkets. I give the store high praise for its cleanliness, well-stocked shelves, and friendly, helpful staff,' they wrote. 'Prices are good when compared to other local food markets. When checking out, in almost all cases, there are people to bag the food. The prepared food section offers a wide selection of choices at great prices,' they continued. 'Need specialized meet cuts? Just ask. Hard to understand the criticism raised by others. The fresh orange is a plus.' What criticism? It's ... measured, at best, 'All staff are very helpful all the time,' another Yelp user wrote. 'Hard to get down the aisle sometimes with the [stockers]. [It] helps keep everything in [stock] during the day, though.' Given all that, it's not surprising to find out (or maybe it is) that ongoing drama surrounding the company's leadership has provoked equally passionate debate. The question is: Why? And we'll get to that in a minute. But first, a quick primer, in case you're not up to speed. In late May, the Tewksbury-based company's executive committee put its CEO, Arthur T. Demoulas, popularly known as 'Artie T,' on paid leave. That's to differentiate him from his cousin, Arthur S. Demoulas, or 'Artie S,' who successfully pushed Arthur T. Demoulas out as CEO in June 2014. That led to a summer of discontent, punctuated by worker protests and shopper boycotts that saw 'Artie T.' restored to his perch atop the company in August of that same year. Officials justified the latest move by saying they were investigating whether Arthur T. Demoulas was considering leading a work stoppage that could potentially disrupt the business, The Boston Globe reported. In a statement to the Globe, a spokesperson for Demoulas said he'd been ousted by his three sisters, all of whom are shareholders in the chain and three appointed board members. Demoulas's daughter, Madeleine, and his son, Telemachus, also were placed on leave, along with several others, the spokesperson told The Globe. And then ... Earlier this month, two long-serving executives, operations manager Joe Schmidt and grocery supervisor Tom Gordon, were sacked. Like Demoulas, they'd earlier been put on paid leave amid concerns that they were trying to organize a work stoppage in the hopes of protecting their boss from losing his position, MassLive previously reported. Gordon and Schmidt, meanwhile, charged that they were given the hook as part of an effort to silence employees who oppose changes that the board and some company shareholders want to make to the company. If all this sounds too 'Succession' for words, that's because it is. And just like the popular HBO show, Market Basket's very passionate customers are also tied up in the corporate drama. Again, back to Reddit. 'I don't understand what's happening with Market Basket, and I'm almost too afraid to ask,' one user asked not too long ago. Their fellow Redditors, however, were more than happy to fill in the blanks, responding in a thread that stretched to 132 comments. But again: Why? Why the loyalty? These marketing and public relations experts know exactly why. 'It's going the path less traveled. It's the everyman of supermarket brands,' Bobbie Carlton, the founder of Lexington-based Carlton PR & Marketing, said. 'When you think that, for years, they didn't have a website. You think about the [in-house music] playlist, which has become TikTok famous. 'Market Basket is a stand-in for you, the average person,' she continued. 'What do we all want? We all want to be liked. We all want people to think well of us.' Marlo Fogelman, the founder and CEO of Marlo Marketing which has offices in Boston and New York, offered a similar sentiment. 'The same principles of hospitality that apply to any consumer-facing business [apply] to the grocery business. People think of 'hospitality' as mostly aligned with businesses like restaurants, hotels, etc.," she said. 'But any consumer-facing brand has the opportunity to be a hospitality-forward brand, and ultimately, hospitality drives loyalty.' Bottom line, that's a 'feeling of being welcome, of having a consistent high-quality experience, great vibe, great service, value for what you're getting, feeling like you belong there,' she continued. 'Especially in the grocery store space, I believe that the personal touches that Market Basket offers as compared to other stores – such as the fact that none of the stores have self-checkout lanes and instead choose to keep their stores fully staffed with human cashiers and baggers, along with everything else they're known for — fosters that loyalty," Fogelman said. Carlton, meanwhile, is something of a confessed Market Basket fan, as well. Her home base in Lexington is midway between the chain's stores in Waltham and Burlington. Her two grown sons love the 'Mystery Shelf' of day-old baked goods. Friday nights are set aside for Market Basket-brand frozen pizza. Don't get her going on the cider doughnuts. And then there's the bucket. A 5-gallon Market Basket brand bucket that she uses to brine her Thanksgiving turkeys. It's embossed with 'Demoulas' on the side of it. 'I think all New Englanders hope that internal fighting stops and that things return to normal, she said. 'And status quo is normal. We don't like change here in New England. That's a part of it. And when you have a good thing, why would you want it to change? And after all that, there might be some light at the end of the tunnel. In a statement released Tuesday, Demoulas said through a spokesperson that he and the company are set to air their differences before a mediator on Sept. 3. The goal? 'Avoiding litigation and reaching a quicker and amicable resolution that is in the best interest of Market Basket's associates, customers and the communities it serves.' And it might even be wrapped up before the cider doughnuts hit. Read more analysis from John L. Micek Mass. student turns terrifying choking incident into legislative action | Bay State Briefing A nicotine-free Mass.? These lawmakers say 'yes' | Bay State Briefing She got out. Then she gave back: How a Boston woman went from incarceration to inspiration Read the original article on MassLive. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mass. Reps. Pressley, Lynch and Moulton lead call for end to trash strike
All nine members of Massachusetts' U.S. House delegation have called on trash hauler Republic Services to reach a deal with striking Teamsters, ending a work stoppage that has caused garbage to pile up across Greater Boston this month. The letter, led by Democratic U.S. Reps Ayanna Pressley and Stephen Lynch, whose 7th and 8th Congressional District seats span Boston, and Seth Moulton, D-6th District, of Salem, underlined the 'sweat equity' of its employees, and the need for good wages and benefits. 'Every community deserves high-quality municipal services, including waste management, but not at the expense of a competitive wage and comprehensive benefits,' the lawmakers wrote to Republic CEO Jon Vander Ark. Union workers, represented by Teamsters Local 25, walked off the job on July 1. And so far, efforts to reach an agreement on a new contract have been unsuccessful. Read More: Boston kicks Republic to the curb; will start imposing fines over trash strike Last week, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said the city would begin fining Republic directly, instead of impacted business, for uncollected trash. The Democratic mayor said the ongoing work stoppage is 'taking an unacceptable toll on Boston's residents, businesses, and neighborhoods.' In their letter to Vander Ark, the Bay State lawmakers also urged a swift resolution to the strike, calling on officials to 'return to the bargaining table in good faith and without delay, to negotiate a contract that reflects the dignity of this work, one that ensures fair pay, quality benefits, and a safe workplace.' A new contract, they continued, is an opportunity for the company to 'acknowledge the vital role your company, through the sweat equity of your employees, plays in our communities, and to bring wages and benefits in line with industry standards.' The striking workers 'stand ready to return to work and continue to be the face of your company in the communities that rely on them,' they concluded. Top elected leaders across the state, including Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, state Treasurer Deb Goldberg, and state Auditor Diana DiZoglio, also have called on Republic to reach an agreement and end the walkout. 'Our elected leaders in Massachusetts have stepped-up more than any other state I've ever seen, sticking with us and not backing away at any time during this fight for fairness and equity,' Teamsters Local 25 President Tom Mari said in a statement. In a statement earlier this month, Republic said it was committed to 'reaching an agreement that provides our employees with market-leading pay and benefits.' The company accused the union's leadership of being 'focused on disinformation and disruption.' More on Politics Word used by President Trump about Jeffrey Epstein causes online frenzy Harvard is open to paying $500 million to settle with Trump admin, NYT reports With clock ticking, Beacon Hill is no closer to a solution on public defender dispute 'You turn 65, you join the club.' U.S. Rep. Richard Neal celebrates anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid Act Trump says this former president 'owes me big' after accusing him of treason Read the original article on MassLive. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Aprio Welcomes Boston-based Sandler & Company, P.C. to Fuel Financial Services Expansion
BOSTON, July 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Aprio, the 24th largest business advisory and accounting firm in the U.S., today announced its acquisition of Sandler & Company, P.C. (Sandler & Co.), a boutique CPA firm based in Needham Heights, Massachusetts. This strategic move significantly expands Aprio's Financial Services practice and deepens its presence in the Greater Boston area. The acquisition marks a step forward in Aprio's commitment to grow industry-specialized teams and scale nationally. By welcoming Sandler & Co., the firm doubles its financial services capabilities and enhances its ability to serve hedge funds, real estate funds, private equity firms, broker-dealers, and investment advisors with greater depth and agility. Founded in 1991, Sandler & Co. has earned a reputation for excellence in audit, tax, and advisory services tailored to the financial services sector. The firm's experience spans year-end audits, tax structuring and compliance, surprise custody examinations, and quarterly performance reviews. As of July 1, 2025, Sandler & Co. officially joined Aprio, bringing with it Managing Partner Don Sandler and a team of nine seasoned professionals. "At Sandler & Co., we've always focused on serving clients with precision, responsiveness, and deep technical skill," said Don Sandler, now a partner at Aprio. "Joining Aprio allows us to elevate that commitment by offering our clients expanded capabilities while creating exciting new opportunities for our team. We're energized by what lies ahead." Richard Kopelman, CEO of Aprio, echoed that sentiment: "Sandler & Co. brings more than three decades of deep specialization in Financial Services. Together, we're expanding the ways we support our clients in this complex and fast-evolving space through broader resources, deeper experience, and the agility to meet tomorrow's challenges." Aprio's Financial Services team delivers tailored audit, tax, and advisory solutions to hedge funds, private equity firms, broker-dealers, insurance providers, and other regulated entities. With more than 40 years of experience and a PCAOB-registered platform, Aprio helps clients navigate compliance, streamline fund formation, and mitigate risk through a personalized, insight-driven approach. This acquisition is part of Aprio's broader national growth strategy. In addition to expanding in the Boston area, Aprio has recently grown its footprint in key markets including Washington, D.C., Chicago, Austin, Denver, Baltimore, and California. Each new location strengthens Aprio's ability to serve clients with the speed, experience, and future-focused mindset they need to grow and thrive. To learn more about Aprio and its growing suite of financial services capabilities, visit About AprioAprio is the brand name under which Aprio, LLP, and Aprio Advisory Group, LLC, deliver professional services. Since 1952, clients throughout the U.S. and across more than 50 countries have trusted Aprio for guidance on how to achieve what's next. As a premier business advisory and accounting firm, Aprio Advisory Group, LLC, delivers advisory, tax, managed and private client services to build value, drive growth, manage risk and protect wealth, and Aprio, LLP, provides audit and attest services. With proven experience and genuine care, Aprio serves individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses, from promising startups to market leaders alike. Aprio has grown to 2,300+ team members providing solutions to clients in industries including Manufacturing and Distribution, Non-Profit and Education, Professional Services, Real Estate, Construction, Restaurant, Franchise & Hospitality, Government Contracting, and Technology and Blockchain. Follow Aprio:Aprio Website: Aprio Careers: LinkedIn: Facebook: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Aprio Sign in to access your portfolio
CBS News
18-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Median price for single-family home in Greater Boston surpasses $1M. What's driving the jump?
If you're looking to buy a home in Greater Boston, brace yourself: for the first time ever, the median price of a single-family home has surpassed $1 million, according to new data from the Greater Boston Association of Realtors (GBAR). "It's shocking, but it doesn't surprise me," said Claire Sedgwick, a renter living in Boston's Back Bay. With its rich history, top-notch schools, and beautiful neighborhoods, Boston has long been a sought-after place to live. "It's a beautiful place-there's not one much better in the world," said local resident Tom Quirk. He told WBZ in certain neighborhoods like Back Bay, the high price is fair. "Honestly, if you can find a house for $1 million, you got a bargain." According to GBAR, in June alone, the average sale price for single-family home reached $1,003,250. The cost rose 2.4% from May ($980,000) and 4.5% compared to this time last year ($960,000). So, what's driving the jump? Boston realtor Randall Horn says the price hike is due to too many people competing for too few good homes. "One million dollars, it's not what it used to be," Horn said. "You used to think mansions, but the reality is, with today's prices it's so competitive for what's out there, it's easy for the prices to exceed $1 million." Economists say increasing the supply could bring prices down. That's the goal behind a new Massachusetts law allowing people to build Accessory Dwelling Units on their properties. It's also what's inspired the push to convert empty Boston offices into housing, an effort Mayor Michelle Wu kicked off this week. Without more affordable options, Sedgwick tells WBZ she fears homeownership may not be in her future. "I rent. I don't know anyone my age who does own a house," she said.
CBS News
07-07-2025
- General
- CBS News
Massachusetts trash collectors strike enters seventh day as garbage continues to pile up
Garbage piled up over the long holiday weekend as a trash collectors strike in Massachusetts enters its seventh day. There are backup plans in place to begin collecting trash on Monday in several communities as temperatures are soaring into the 90s again. Republic Services workers are on strike in Beverly, Canton, Danvers, Gloucester, Ipswich, Lynnfield, Malden, Manchester-By-The-Sea, Marblehead, North Reading, Peabody, Swampscott, Wakefield, and Watertown. Though trash is piling up after the holiday weekend, collectors are vowing to stay on the picket lines. Viewers from around Greater Boston have sent photos to WBZ-TV showing trash in the streets in recent days, including piles of garbage in Beverly. At the end of last week, a dozen cities co-signed a letter to Republic Services, citing public health concerns and a lack of communication. Now, many of those communities will have replacement crews picking up trash on Monday. That includes Canton, Watertown, Gloucester, and Danvers. But officials say it could take some time to get fully caught up. Teamsters Local 25, the union representing these trash collectors, is demanding higher wages, saying Republic's pay lags several dollars behind competitors. They also seek better health coverage and stronger labor protections. Other unions also showed their support over the weekend. The Peabody Fire Department joined Teamsters 25 on the picket line in solidarity. Striking employees were on the picket line outside Republic Services in Revere Monday morning. It is one of several locations where employees will be protesting to start the week.
