Big news for Big Apple's northern cousin - Mayor Michelle Wu announced the return of Open Newbury. For 10 Sundays straight starting June 30 through September 1, Newbury Street will be a pedestrian paradise. Making a jump from its seasonal norm, the program will also host special pedestrian days in December, perfect for holiday shoppers hunting for deals in Boston's Back Bay area. According to the City of Boston, Open Newbury first popped up in 2016 and has since turned into a tradition as thousands have taken to the mile-long stretch to dine and shop car-free.
"Open Newbury has become a beloved summer tradition in Boston, and I’m grateful to the many small business owners who work together with the City to make this possible," Mayor Wu stated, promising new themed days and to ensure special experiences for visitors and residents alike. The street's transformation will last from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on each selected day. Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Chief of Streets, told Boston.gov, "Open Newbury creates the opportunity for Bostonians and visitors alike to explore one of our City’s most vibrant streets from a different perspective free from cars."
Newbury Street will be shut down to vehicles from Berkeley Street to Massachusetts Avenue. Watch out though, parking restrictions on Newbury and nearby streets start at the eye-opening time of 5:00 a.m. Local business are welcomed to activate their spaces on the street with family events, pop-ups, and brand activations to attract pedestrian traffic. City officials have also gotten down to brass tacks to improve the event, working with small businesses to set up additional pick-up and drop-off zones off the main drag to help them receive deliveries through the day.
And in a city where weather is anything but predictable, a ray of foresight shines through with a new cancellation policy. Should the weather decide not to play ball, rain dates will be announced the Friday evening before a scheduled Open Newbury Sunday. "I want to extend my heartfelt thanks once again. As a Black business owner on Newbury Street, I greatly benefit from the increased foot traffic that Open Newbury brings," Romel Sanday, Owner of Canadian Park Training expressed, showing support for the initiative's impact on local enterprise. Mayor Wu aims to reimagine the streetscape, not just on Newbury but across different Boston neighborhoods, opening up more routes in an effort to craft a city that truly feels like home for all its citizens.
