Initiative supports Boston jobs

Posted on December 1, 2015

A local challenge is helping to support Boston jobs.

Boston is having its annual “Holidays on Main Streets” campaign, a small business initiative to encourage Boston residents to shop local this holiday season. At the celebration held at POP Allston in the Allston Village Main Street District, Mayor Walsh announced a series of initiatives to drive traffic to local business districts, including the Mayor’s “5 on Main” challenge, the return of the popular Acoustic on Main for the holiday season, and a plan for shoppers to enjoy two free hours of metered parking using the new ParkBoston app on any day of their choice from Friday, November 27 throughSaturday, January 2.

Boston is offering residents and visitors the opportunity to park for free for two hours at all 8,000 metered parking spaces on the day of their choice from Friday, November 27th through the end of the day on Saturday, January 2nd.  The  ParkBoston app must be used and code 617617 should be entered to take advantage of this offer.

Mayor Walsh’s “#5onMain” challenge is designed to inspire holiday shoppers to support Main Streets and other local commercial districts during the holiday season.  Participants in the challenge pledge to support local businesses at least five times during the holiday season, either purchasing gifts, dining, or participating in local holiday events in Main Streets districts.  Holiday shoppers are encouraged to accept the challenge via social media, using the hashtag “#5onMain”.

“I’m challenging every holiday shopper to enjoy what our Main Street Districts have to offer this holiday season by participating in the ‘5 on Main’ challenge,” said Mayor Walsh. “Our Main Street districts are an important part of our local economy. Out of every dollar spent in a local business district, 58 cents will be returned to that community, fueling our local economies and contributing to more vibrant neighborhoods.”