Introducing Small Business Patch

The newly launched site offers tips, info and digital know-how for small business owners.

Patch has launched a new site to educate and empower small businesses with the digital tools, social media strategies and marketing know-how needed to ensure long-term growth. Readers will have access to exclusive interviews with well-known founders and CEOs and small business industry experts who share their experiences, advice and tips for success. One of the latest articles features an exclusive interview with real estate entrepreneur, Barbara Corcoran, founder of The Corcoran Group. In this Q&A, Corcoran discusses the how to take advantage of the size of a small businesses, and why making big “mistakes” made all the difference in her success. Click here to read about the tactics Corcoran used to grow her business. Additional Small …

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North Shore Biz Buzz: Foundation Work Starts on Burrill Units

Here's a round-up of business news from around the North Shore.

Here is a look at some recent business openings and happenings on the North Shore. Have you noticed a new shop and have been wondering what it is? Leave us a note in the comment section and we will check it out. Foundation work has started at 100 Burrill St., the former Methodist church site. Rich Baldacci of the Swampscott Building Department said earlier this week that the owner had applied for a foundation permit, which was expected to be issued mid-week. The foundation permit allows for work including digging the hole, pouring the foundation and setting footings.  The owner still needs a building permit. The project has approval from the Zoning Board of Appeal for eight residential units. In other local business news:  That new Qdoba …

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Is Massachusetts Bad for Business?

Results from a recent executive survey ranked Massachusetts 47th for business.

A CEO magazine ranks Massachusetts as one of the worst states in the nation for business. Chief Executive Magazine ranked Massachusetts 47th based on a survey of corporate leaders. Survey respondents reported the Bay State is one of the worst for taxation and regulation. The state Republican Party is pointing to the survey and saying that Gov. Deval Patrick and the Democratic-led Legislature are bad for the economy and business. What do you think about Massachusetts’ business climate? Is this a good state in which to do business?

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Steve Marino

3:30 pm on Tuesday, May 14, 2013

The may be the biggest story since watergate, and the New York Times had this story on page 10!   more ›

Swampscott Resident Named Vice President of Investment Group

His responsibilities will include managing portfolios and setting investment policy.

Rockland Trust today announced Matthew Roddy has joined its Investment Management Group (IMG) as vice president and portfolio manager. Serving the Greater Boston area, Roddy brings more than 15 years of experience to the IMG team.  “This is an exciting time for Rockland Trust, and the Investment Management Group in particular, as we officially enter Boston for the first time,” said David Smith, chief investment officer at Rockland Trust.  “Matthew will be invaluable in growing our new office, and attracting and maintaining clients throughout the Greater Boston area.” In his new position, Roddy will be responsible for managing client portfolios, performing securities research, and setting investment policy, while establishing and growing …

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Qdoba Eyes Opening, Seeks Employees

The Qdoba Mexican Grill restaurant will open in a portion of the former Blockbuster store on Paradise Road.

  In early June, a Qdoba Mexican Grill restaurant will open in a portion of the former Blockbuster store on Paradise Road. According to an announcement posted by Qdoba on Swampscott Patch, the new restaurant has employment opportunities. "We're hiring friendly and outgoing Line Servers as well as experienced Cooks and Shift Supervisors to be a part of our new Swampscott restaurant opening in the beginning of June," the post states. To apply visit the Qdoba website The restaurant has received a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals and a building permit from the Swampscott Building Department. The space at 1016 Paradise Road has been vacant for a long time. Former tenant Blockbuster closed its doors Feb. 13, 2011, after having …

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The Great Billboard Dispute, a $20,000 Comic Book and More North Shore Business News

Here's a round-up of business news from around the North Shore.

Have you noticed a new store while driving around the North Shore recently? Patch loves small business and we try to cover every new opening. Here is a look at some recent business openings and happenings on the North Shore. Have you noticed a new shop and have been wondering what it is? Leave us a note in the comment section and we will check it out. Palmers at the Warwick Gets Booze License, Aims for Summer Opening Selectmen approve transfer of unneeded VFW liquor license to new restaurant (which will have a movie theater too). Marblehead Museum Now Selling a Taste of the 18th Century The Marblehead Museum and Historical Society is now selling a variety of historic jams on Washington Street. --- Restaurant Coming to Former Blockbuster …

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You Asked, Patch Answers

Why Does Qdoba Need a Special Permit?

The town planner had all the information to answer this question.

  A reader was curious why the new restaurant scheduled to move — perhaps as early as some time this spring — into the former Blockbuster space on Paradise Road needed a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals. We turned to Swampcott Planner Pete Kane for an answer. This is what the town planner said: "When the property owner of that building sought to demolish the old gas station that was there and build the multi-tenant commercial building in the 1990s, a requirement by the ZBA was that any new business would have to get a use special permit from the ZBA. So any time a space in that building becomes vacant, a new business has to apply for a use special permit, which is what Qdoba did. Additionally, based on the number of seats …

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Billboard Battle, Liquor License, Controversial Project and More in North Shore Biz News

Here's a round-up of business news in the North Shore area.

Have you noticed a new store while driving around the North Shore recently? Patch loves small business and we try to cover every new opening. Here is a look at recent business openings and happenings on the North Shore. Have you noticed a new shop and have been wondering what it is? Leave us a note in the comment section and we will check it out. Wonder What Swampscott's High School Principal Ad Looks like? The advertisement was posted March 1, and the application deadline is March 22. Workers Avert Strike at Stop & Shop Workers at Stop & Shop have reached a contract deal and will not strike. Raina's Makes it All the Way Back The new, bright hair salon is the only original tenant to return to the Gateway Building on Humphrey Street. --- …

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Whole Foods Exec Says Capitalism Under Attack

John Mackey made the remarks while promoting his book, Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business, at a Boston Chamber event.

  The author of a book about capitalism — who is also a Whole Foods Market executive — says business is under attack in the United States. John Mackey, a co-chief executive for the high-end grocer, spoke to the Boston Chamber of Commerce last week, saying businesses are maligned, according to a Boston Globe business article. “The latest Gallup poll shows big business enjoys only a 19 percent approval rating,” he told an audience at the Seaport World Trade Center. “Yet business is fundamentally good and has created more value in the world than any other institution.” Mackey and Raj Sisodia are co-authors of the book “Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business.”  The book, $17.82 through Amazon, argues that capitalism …

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