News

Skip the coffee; get a bank loan today instead. Eastern Bank was featured in the Wall Street Journal for their speed in processing loan requests from small businesses.

“In the race to shrink application times for small-business loans, Eastern Bank has a new entry: less than five minutes.

The Boston-based mutual savings bank used to take three or four weeks to process loan requests as employees gathered information, ticked off long checklists and filled out dozens of data fields from paper forms.

It now doles out loans of up to $100,000 in a fraction of that time. The speed is possible because the 198-year-old institution has spent millions of dollars in recent years to automate the process and does more of the work in advance.”

Read the full Wall Street Journal article and visit Eastern Bank at 123 Haven Street in Reading, MA.

“Offering fresh styles to North Shore Women.”

Congratulations to Aine’s Boutique of Reading, MA on being featured in North Shore Magazine‘s October issue. Cited as an “unassuming gem of a boutique,” the article discusses the wide variety of fashionable merchandise and the personal attention and care provided by owner Julie Centrella.

Elle Salon is a new state of the art salon located on Main Street in Reading, MA. It is the inspiration of Lisa DeLeo, an established salon owner with over 30 years of experience.

Elle Salon offers personalized consultations that will help create your signature look. The stylists use art principles to support their designer cuts and colors while using the newest technology to fortify the integrity of your hair.

Elle Salon is dedicated to providing superior, customized care through ongoing education and extensive product knowledge. The stylists’ main focus is promoting wellness and beauty in every aspect, to each other and their clientele. They receive the best training in the industry and above all believe in providing amazing service as well as a memorable experience.

Lisa has redesigned the first floor of 328 Main Street and transformed it into an upscale salon with cathedral ceilings and dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows that extend across the length of the salon. Since Lisa renovated the space from the ground up, she was able to equip the salon with a ventilation system that helps eliminate the fumes caused by today’s specialized hair treatments.

Visit Elle Salon at 328 Main St. Reading, MA 01867 | 781-944-0036 | www.ellesalonreading.com

Welcome to town, Reading Square Barber Shop!

Reading, MA, July 21, 2016– The Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed Prestige Homes Real Estate, located at 250 Main Street, to Reading. The office is located on the southbound side of route 28, in the space previously occupied by Viking Travel.

The ribbon cutting was attended by (left to right):

Prestige Agent Michael Viselli, Nancy Wolff Leary of Online Amplify, standing Carol Bird of Prestige Realty, seated are Prestige Homes owners Joseph Viselli, Adelia DelTrecco and Kerry LaPiana, Prestige Agent Greg Hopp, Leslie McGonagle of Reading Gymnastics Academy, Molly O’Neill of The Savings Bank, and Prestige Agent Anita Lamantea.

Pictured: Julie Thurlow, President & CEO of Reading Cooperative Bank

Reading Cooperative Bank among 50 Greater Boston companies to be recognized for growth in SmartCEO’s Future 50 Awards program

Reading Cooperative Bank was among the recipients of SmartCEO’s 2016 Future 50 Award winners. The program recognizes Greater Boston’s 50 fastest-growing mid-sized companies that have experienced growth based on a combined three-year average of revenue and employee growth. These companies represent the future of the region’s economy and embody the entrepreneurial spirit critical for leadership and success.

The 2016 Future 50 winners collectively generate nearly $3.4 billion in annual revenue and employ more than 12,400 individuals.

Congratulations to Reading Cooperative Bank! Read the full article on their website.

Owner Leslie Leahy highlights some of the wide variety of jewelry and gifts available at The Hitching Post Gift Sop

Chamber member Leslie Leahy of The Hitching Post Gift Shop in Reading was one of four retailers featured in an article in the Jewelry section of the June/July issue of Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties magazine. In the article Leahy discusses jewelry created by local artisans offered at The Hitching Post, and shares tips on display and sales of jewelry.

Photo credit goes to Chamber member Peg Raciti of Peg Raciti Photography in Reading.

Looking beautiful in North Reading!

North Reading’s Axle Color Studio was chosen by Glamour Magazine and RevitaLash Cosmetics as one of three salons in the country to host a “Look of Ageless Beauty” event as part of RevitaLash’s 10th anniversary model search, a contest aimed at recognizing beauty of all ages and ethnicities while showcasing the natural beauty of the eyes.

At the event, 60 guests were treated to hair and makeup touch-ups by Axle hairstylists and makeup artists, cocktails and bites from Above The Clouds Catering, professional photos by Dawn Kingston Photography and Polite in Public, and music by KISS 108’s DJ Costa.

More information and a full gallery of images from the evening can be found on the Axle Color Studio website.

Reading, MA, June 25, 2016 – The Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce welcomed Gold’s Gym, located at One General Way in Reading. The ribbon cutting was attended by Gold’s Gym Staff. The ribbon is cut by Manager Julie O’Connell, who is joined by Reading Town Manager Bob LeLacheur, George Danis of Danis Properties, and Chamber Board Members Mike Doyon of Doyon’s Appliance, Andrew Schultz of Law Offices of Andrew Schultz PC, Ginnie Yeannacopolis of Northern Bank, and Robin Krane of Fitness Within.  Contact Lisa Egan, Executive Director at legan@rnrchamber.com or by calling 978-664-5060 for more information.

Fusion Cafe has opened in Reading Center on Main Street, in the former location of Aroma Cafe. Fusion Cafe features a new menu and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They celebrated their opening with a ribbon cutting by the Reading-North Reading Chamber of Commerce.