What a night it was! Coattails & Cocktails 2017 was a smashing success. Friends from around Greater Ashmont district came together on a brisk Sunday evening to celebrate and support our Boston Main Streets organization’s 18 years of work in the neighborhood. The gala was held in Tavolo Ristorante’s newly redesigned space with their kitchen staff showcasing their popular menu, and dessert items provided by home.stead bakery & cafe. The festive atmosphere featured live jazz by the Steve Fell jazz duo, a photobooth by Ritterbin Photography with vintage accessories by Streamline Antiques, impressive floral decor by Cedar Grove Gardens, and a large selection of silent auction items donated by local businesses.
Local young entrepreneur Milo Stella emceed the evening program, during which Greater Ashmont Main Street received a Certificate of Recognition from Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and a letter of commendation from Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, for our long-standing work in this Dorchester commercial district. Greater Ashmont MS Board member Erica Mattison spoke about the organization’s recent accomplishments including the inaugural Dorchester Bike & Brew festival, significant beautification efforts, and a 500% increase in membership over the prior year; Board President Philippe Saad shared upcoming plans, including the Peabody Square ReInvestment Project, creating a Dorchester Greenway on the tunnel cap between Ashmont and Shawmut MBTA stops, and further development improvements in the Saint Mark’s Village area.
Ritterbin Photography’s images from the event can be viewed and purchased here using the password: 2017_CTailsCTails
The Coattails & Cocktails event is Greater Ashmont MS signature winter fundraiser, which is essential to support our year-round efforts to make the area a great place for locals to live, eat, shop, and play. We are especially grateful for all the imagery, atmosphere design, and logistical support contributed by our event planning partner, Lusterity, as well as the myriad of volunteers who staffed the event itself. After an active year in the district under the leadership of Executive Director Jenn Cartee, and in the shadow of the threatened elimination of the federal CDBG Grant Program (which provides 40% of our annual funding), the event raised a record-breaking sum for our Main Street organization, surpassing even the roast of Mayor Menino as the organization’s highest grossing fundraiser in organizational history. In addition to ticketing and silent auction proceeds, the event’s success can be credited to the generous support of the following individuals and organizations.
Annual Sustainers
Boston Main Streets, Boston Main Streets Foundation, Martin Richard Foundation, Peregrine Group, and Trinity Financial
Platinum Sponsors
Carney Hospital, Eastern Bank, and Tavolo Ristorante
Gold Sponsors
Anil Nair & Philippe Saad, Back to Life Chiropractic, Boston Veterinary Clinic, Cedar Grove Gardens, Codman Square Health Center, Codman Square NDC, DiMella Shaffer, Dorchester Reporter, East Boston Savings Bank, H. Q. Nguyen CPA, LLP, JnJ Yardwork, Leslie MacKinnon Realtor, Lusterity, Midland Construction, Redfin, Ritterbin Photography, Sen Linda Dorcena Forry, and Standish Village
Silver Sponsors
College Bound Dorchester, Crawford Drug, David Gagne & Devan Dewey, home.stead bakery & café, Jeff Gonyeau & Jack Dennerlein, Landmark Public House, Meetinghouse Bank, Mohawk Insurance & Real Estate, Rep. Dan Cullinane, Rep. Dan Hunt, ResCo Homes – Tim Deihl & Amy Butterworth, Tom Carroll & Michael Soucy, Streamline Antiques, The Kerry Dowlin Team, and University of Massachusetts – Boston
Bronze Sponsors
American Provisions, Clr. Andrea Campbell, Clr. Annissa Essabai George, Clr. Ayanna Pressley, Clr. Frank Baker, Clr. Michelle Wu, Clr. Mike Flaherty, Dorchester YMCA, DotHouse Health, Eire Pub, The Maneikis Companies, and The Modern Dog Boston
