Deja Brew Receives Boston Legacy Grant

By Carol Masshardt

Sometimes appreciation can come as a surprise neither sought nor expected, and such is the case of the Legacy Business Grant presented to popular coffee shop/café, Deja Brew, by the City of Boston. Through nominations by community residents, every neighborhood in Boston was invited to enter submissions and Deja Brew was alone chosen for South Boston.

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Curley Center Opens

The Mayor’s remarks were brief and to the point – she was delighted to see the turnout. She stressed that the Center’s opening is an event for all of Boston to enjoy and remember. She referred almost apologetically to piping plovers and waiting for a permit to use the Curley Center beachfront after the plovers depart their nests. She also mentioned that her predecessor Marty Walsh had played an important role in getting the Curley Center project started off successfully.

Congressman Stephen Lynch talked extensively about how much the Center had meant to the South Boston community since the 1930s, and indeed, to all of its members. The L Street Brownies – named for their tans, of course – and many, many athletes first worked out at “The L”. He spoke of how he expects the new Center to become a gathering place for seniors – “no more loneliness” –and he praised all the staff at the Center for their patience and hard work. He said “God bless you all” when his remarks ended. Michael Flaherty spoke eloquently and cheerfully for all of the members of Boston’s City Council, many of whom were present. Several other speakers followed, all adding their praises and gratitude for the Curley Center’s reopening to the public.

A brilliant blue, goldimprinted ribbon was then stretched in front of the beach entrance on K Street. Mary

Burke, who spent 35 years on the Center’s staff, was presented with giant scissors. When the countdown climaxed, she cleanly, well, and truly cut the ribbon. Pieces of it were distributed to the onlookers. Afterwards, Mary herself cut the ceremonial cake she had received. A closing word about piping plovers. They aren’t especially beautiful birds, and actually, they seem more than a little stupid. Their “nests” are really just holes they dig in beach sand to hold their eggs. Even Mayor Wu confessed they could be a nuisance. But on Boston’s beaches they are “threatened”, as the conservationists say. In fact, they are considered “endangered” in their nesting areas around the Great Lakes. They nearly went completely extinct in the 1900s and are now on their way back, so let’s try to be patient with piping plovers for the rest of the 2023 summer.

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Deja Brew (same place, different name).

“It was a risk, but I had to make a living. Who knew if it would work, but it did! Of course, the community has changed a lot, but it’s still amazing. We want people to feel comfortable and come back.”

“To be recognized for South Boston is a special thing,”

“It caught me off guard,” said Marissa, “it’s an honor, but we don’t brag about it.”

Clearly, bragging is not familiar to this legacy business in the City of Boston. But, taking care of business, customers and the community they love is what led to the well-deserved nomination and City of Boston recognition.

Congratulations, Deja Brew!

Introduced this year by the Wu administration, a legacy business is defined as “a longstanding, independent enterprise that makes a strong contribution to community character...”

Visiting on an ordinary July morning, there was little doubt that this business on East Broadway lived up to the qualifications. In addition to a steady stream of diverse customers, adolescents from non-profits were at work learning firsthand about an independent, community-based business. Original owner, Cathe Walsh and current owner, her daughter, Marissa, had an uncanny ability to simultaneously answer questions, keep a keen eye on an elder customer who may have needed a seat, naming every teen sitting at the counter, overseeing the staff and preparing a schedule.

Starting in 1996, Cathe Walsh opened Cranberry Café

And now, the generations change, and Cathe is trying to retire with the support of Marissa, 34. “My mother has worked hard for a long time, and it is her time to relax” Marissa said. Cathe adds “I’m trying to retire” as if it is a greater task than the daily grind of running the business. The sense of a continued legacy is strong with at least two generations of Walsh women, and the possibility a third, with commitment and skill.

“I ideally would like a second location, but we are just coming around now from all that happened, and just to be where we are is good,” said Marissa. “During the pandemic we delivered food to first responders and unions. It is about giving back,” she said. After all, she did learn from age six from being with her mother at work everything needed to run the café, and how to flex when needed.

“Being at a desk would be awful,” she said with certainty. “I knew that a long time ago. This is what I love doing.”

“I cried when I heard about the award,” said Cathe do not apply to households receiving housing assistance such as Section 8, MRVP, or VASH

Wednesday, July 26th, 2023

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