<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0UZhWw_1H0VQPXI00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0UZhWw_1H0VQPXI00" width="1231" height="761" ><figcaption>Treat Cupcake Bar will be among the downtown businesses participating in the Passport shopping stroll on Saturday./ Credit: Needham Observer</figcaption></figure>This Saturday, Needham center will have a grown-up early-release-day vibe as shoppers swarm downtown for Needham’s fall “Stroll.” The pre-holiday shopping event features 15 local businesses and will benefit Circle of Hope, a nonprofit that helps individuals facing housing insecurity and homelessness. The Fall Passport to Needham follows a traditional stroll format, with participating stores offering special treats, discounts and raffles. Participants meet at PEX Health &amp; Fitness at 1451 Highland Ave. any time between noon and 4 p.m. to check in and receive a tote and their shopping passport. They can stay to enjoy apple cider and apple cider donuts along with performances of the Nutcracker Suite by Charles River Ballet dancers. Unlike the holiday Passport run the past two years by Proud Mary’s Eileen Baker and former Tin Rabbit’s Hilary Chandler, this event is organized by Social &amp; Main, an organization designed to bring people together and create connections. Local Realtor Elissa Rosenfelt, who was also searching for ways to create connections, reached out to co-founder Julie Fairweather to see about creating a Needham-based experience. Both Fairweather and Rosenfelt are empty nesters who recognized the need for people — especially women — in that phase of their lives to find new ways to engage with their neighbors and in their communities. “I saw all the great things they were doing and I reached out to her,” said Rosenfelt. “She’d been trying to find a way to bring ‘something fun’ to Needham along with promoting the idea of ‘supporting local and getting people involved.’” “It was kind of the perfect storm for me. I’ve been trying to figure out if we could activate it, and this was like ‘oh my God, this is it!’” Fairweather, who owns The Greatest Bar across from TD Garden and runs Dirty Water Media, has been producing events and shows about lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality for more than 20 years. Her empty nest experience opened her eyes to the loneliness many people feel during this time in their lives, so she used her career experience to help. People want to do more with their lives, explore new places and meet new people, Fairweather said. So along with co-founder Kayla Harrity, they developed these Stroll events.“It targets two problems: it creates community and puts the spotlight on businesses that ought to be known about and shopped frequently,” she said. The first official event was on Newbury Street in February, a Gallentine’s Day Stroll for people who wanted to celebrate Valentine’s Day but didn’t necessarily have a significant other. 150 women showed up. “There was so much joy surrounding the event,” said Fairweather. The two women then planned six summer strolls in Newport, Newburyport, Nantucket, Falmouth, Harwichport and Chatham — each with between 50 and 200 participants. “We suffer a long, cold winter in New England, so there were perfect destinations in the summer.” Now they’ve pivoted to fall events. Fairweather is particularly excited for the hyper-local nature of the upcoming event. “The thing I love about Needham is it’s not a destination location like Nantucket or Chatham,” she said. “It’s a community that runs 365 days a year on your doorstep. I’m excited that the people who live in Needham and surrounding areas can get a sense for the resources in their own community.” She said she hopes this will uplift the community before the holidays and remind people that it’s important — and fun — to shop local. The team collaborated with each business to come up with a unique item to offer passport holders. Treat Cupcake Bar will offer mini cupcakes, Blue Lotus will be doing sound baths, Studio S Portraits will take pictures of the various groups or individuals that come in. “It seems they’ve really thought of ways to make each stop very unique,” said Eilleen Baker, who will have a free gift for all passport holders at Proud Mary. She said she also likes the fact that this event has a beginning and an end, unlike the monthlong passport she helped run in the past. “It’s definitely a lot more manageable for the businesses in that sense, and hopefully it’s a successful day,” she said. “It also seems more interactive.” The stroll’s last stop is slated for Cappella’s, where they’ve come up with a signature cocktail for the event. Fairweather hopes this pre-holiday timeframe allows people to get into stores before the rush and either purchase early or get ideas for gifts they can return to buy. Baker said it’s opportune timing with the early start of Hanukkah on Dec. 5. “It will be great to get the town in the holiday spirit. I’m eager to see how it goes.”Tickets can be purchased online in advance or day-of. An amount of the proceeds will benefit Circle of Hope. Participants can also bring new or gently used coats for donation.</div></body>

Block Source: needhamobserver.com

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This Saturday, Needham center will have a grown-up early-release-day vibe as shoppers swarm downtown for Needham’s fall “Stroll.” The pre-holiday shopping event features 15 local businesses and will benefit Circle of Hope, a nonprofit that helps individuals facing housing insecurity and homelessness. The Fall Passport to Needham...

Take a ‘Stroll’ through Needham businesses

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This Saturday, Needham center will have a grown-up early-release-day vibe as shoppers swarm downtown for Needham’s fall “Stroll.” The pre-holiday shopping 

Take a ‘Stroll’ through Needham businesses

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