Waltham Costume Shop to Close Store, Move Online and to Concord

Eastern Coast Costume, also known as J & N Joke Shop, plans to continue business online.

Eastern Coast Costume, a longtime landmark on Moody Street in Waltham, will soon close its doors — but not its business. Also known as J & N Joke Shop, the business will close its retail store at 329 Moody St. on May 31, but the Weymouth family, which owns the business, will continue to sell costumes online after it moves its operations to a warehouse in West Concord. “We’re not going out of business. We’re just kind of shifting gears,” said Kendra Weymouth, the manager. “We’ve found that our retail store is just a little bit slow. We would like to kind of perfect what we do best [by selling online],” Weymouth told Waltham Patch. “After 40 years, we are scared to make a move. But we are ready to make a move.”  The business opened 40 years …

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Checkout Time: West Concord Supermarket to Close

The longtime Junction staple--opening for the final time this Saturday, April 6--will shutter after just shy of a century in business.

  After nearly a century, it’s checkout time for Mandrioli family, as brothers Peter and Paul plan to close their West Concord supermarket this weekend. A feisty, "shop local" spirit has taken root in Concord over the past several years, giving rise to a new generation of independent merchants. But even that was not enough of a lifeline for one of the town’s great stalwarts, the beloved West Concord Supermarket, closing April 6 after more than 93 years in business. “It’s been wonderful,” said Paul Mandrioli, whose father and grandfather ran the business before he and his brother took it over. “We wouldn’t have been here all this time if it wasn’t for our customers. The customers have been just amazing, and they’re our friends.” The Past, …

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Sold!

Sold: Homes Purchased in Concord, Bedford and Lexington

A sampling of homes purchased around the area over the past week, compiled by Patch and local real estate agents.

This week's featured homes are: 588 Bedford Street, Concord List Price: $895,000 Sold Price: $856,000 Sold Date: Nov. 9 Living Area: 3,190 sq. ft. Rooms: 9 Bedrooms: 4 Baths: 3 full, 1 partial 38 Hartwell Road, Bedford List Price: $825,000 Sold Price: $820,000 Sold Date: Nov. 8 Living Area: 3,447 sq. ft. Rooms: 10 Bedrooms: 4 Baths: 2 full, 1 40 Solomon Pierce Rd, Lexington List Price: $1,379,000 Sold Price: $1,348,800 Sold Date: Nov. 9 Living Area:  4,310 sq. ft. Rooms: 9 Bedrooms: 4 Baths: 3 full, 1 partial Wondering what other homes sold in Lexington, Bedford and Concord this week? Patch is too, and we're hoping our readers and real estate agents can help us answer the question. Do you know of a home sold in our towns this week? If you …

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Concord Man Appointed New CFO of ConforMIS

As the new chief financial officer, Peter Traynor brings more than 30 years of industry experience to the Bedford-based ConforMIS.

The following information was provided on behalf of ConforMIS, Inc. ConforMIS, Inc., a privately held medical device company pioneering patient-specific orthopedic implants,has announced the appointment of 30-year business and financial management veteran Peter Traynor as the company’s Chief Financial Officer. The addition of Mr. Traynor bolsters the executive management team as the company continues to grow following the recent launch of its iTotal G2 total knee replacement system.  Prior to joining ConforMIS, Traynor spent 10 years at Genzyme Corporation where he served as the Chief Accounting Officer and most recently as the Senior Vice President of Business Unit Finance. In this role he had responsibilities for SEC filings, …

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And the Best Place to Go for Mother’s Day Brunch Is …

Our Best of Patch Readers’ Choice winners.

If you’re looking to treat your mother, mom or mommy this Mother’s Day, you have at least four great options right here in Concord, according to our readers. Concord’s Colonial Inn and Serafina Ristorante tied in this week’s poll, making them co-winners of our Best of Patch Readers’ Choice contest for best place to go for Mother’s Day brunch. You can compare the winners’ brunch menus by clicking on the following links: Concord’s Colonial Inn and Serafina Ristorante. Burlington’s Cafe Escadrille and Lexington’s Lexx also received multiple votes. Be sure to review the brunch options yourself on our Patch Places page. We're doing a poll on the Best Staycations in and around Concord next week. Want to nominate a place that should be included …

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And the Best Florist Is ...

Our Best of Patch Readers' Choice winner.

If you’re in need of a floral arrangement, look no further than Copper Penny Flowers, according to our readers. The local shop received a whopping 383 votes in this week’s poll, three perfect, five-star reviews and 11 more glowing comments to narrowly edge out Wayside Florists (360 votes) and the Concord Flower Shop (77 votes and five recommendations), and win our most recent Best of Patch Readers’ Choice contest for best florist in town. Customers praised Copper Penny Flowers for its beautiful arrangements, community mindedness and personal service. “Your flowers are the most beautiful, elegant and fresh!” Suzanne Milando wrote to owner Jennifer Eaton. “Honestly the prettiest bouquets!” “In addition to the beautiful flower arrangements …

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Looking for Sports Gear or Equipment?

Stop by our most recent Best of Patch Readers’ Choice winner.

If you’re in need of sports gear or equipment, Brine's Sporting Goods is the place to be, according to our readers. The Concord Center shop topped this week’s poll, capturing nearly all of the votes, and as a result is our most recent Best of Patch Readers’ Choice winner, for the best place to buy sporting goods. Be sure to review the sporting goods stores yourself on our Patch Places page. We're doing a poll on the Best Place to Get Dessert next week. Want to nominate a place that should be included in our poll? Send your nomination to John Waller at johndwaller@gmail.com. This will allow us to be sure we don't leave anyone out.

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Flowers and Pastry: Concord Businesses Moving Forward

Concord Convenience opens the Trail's End Cafe and Concord Flower Shop finds a new home.

You may have noticed a few changes to the streetscapes around town lately, as two popular Concord businesses are celebrating expansion and relocation of their operations. After more than two decades, the Concord Flower Shop has left Thoreau Street for a new location in West Conocrd, and Concord Convenience on Lowell Road recently celebrated the opening of the Trail’s End Cafe. Helen Halloran of Concord Flower Shop said she is more than pleased with her 135 Commonwealth Ave. location, which officially opened on Sept. 6, and all of the friendly faces in town that have welcomed her back to her old neighborhood. “I grew up within walking distance of here, so it really feels like I moved home in a way,” Halloran said, recalling the days when …

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Concordian Named National Grid President for Massachusetts

Marcy Reed to lead utility company for commonwealth.

Concordian Marcy Reed was recently appointed President of National Grid Massachusetts. Here, National Grid introduces their new official to the community. As part of National Grid’s commitment to providing outstanding electricity and natural gas service while improving communications with customers and relationships with regulators and government officials, National Grid recently appointed Marcy L. Reed president of its Massachusetts business. Reporting directly to Tom King, president of National Grid, U.S., Reed is responsible for the local business’s financial, operational and customer service performance. Bringing more than 20 years of experience to her new role, Reed believes in the importance of open, forthright dialogue with …

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