Local Mexican Restaurant Opens, Selectmen Support Invensys Tax Break & More Regional Business News

Foxborough

Foxborough Selectmen Support Invensys Tax Break; Will Recommend Approval at Town Meeting

Invensys took a significant step Tuesday towards investing approximately $33 million into its existing buildings to stay in Foxborough as the town's Board of Selectmen unanimously agreed to recommend the company's Tax Increment Financing (TIF) proposal to voters at Town Meeting on May 13.

The proposal calls for a 15-year TIF agreement between Invensys and the town that would save the company approximately $1.8 million while producing roughly $7.6 million in additional tax revenue over that timeframe. If approved, the town would exempt Invensys completely from new tax payments in years 1-4 of the agreement.

Foxborough's TIF negotiating committee met "three to four times" prior to sitting down with Invensys at the negotiating table, according to Town Manager Kevin Paicos. Following those prep meetings, Paicos said the committee met with Invensys representatives twice and after several hours of discussion reached an agreement.

That agreement was presented to selectmen Tuesday in the form of a recommendation to accept Invensys' proposal and recommend the TIF program to voters at Town Meeting.

For many town officials, the decision was relatively simple - even though Tuesday's discussion lasted over one-and-a-half-hours.

"This just made huge economical sense," Paicos said. ... "Any community would do anything it could to attract a business like this. We’ve got one and so it simply makes no intelligent sense to roll the dice and lose them. It makes no sense."

Selectmen agreed.

***

NORTON

Fiesta Restaurant Brings Mexico to Norton

The Ramirez family just opened their newest Fiesta location in Norton, and Zoel Ramirez says it’s a treat to share Mexican cuisine with the community for the first time.

Fiesta now has three locations, including Somerset and East Bridgewater. Ramirez said all the recipes are traditional Mexican dishes. He said his father and mother are originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, and brought their expertise to the states.

***

WALPOLE

Xtreme Action Sports in Walpole Takes the Challenge Indoors

Manager Benji Challis at Xtreme Action Sports in East Walpole chats about their 13,000 sq. ft. indoor playing field and his prized Airsoft gun that has close to $700 worth of add-ons (see video above).

Located at 153 Washington St. in East Walpole, Xtreme offers a full stock of airsoft and paintball equipment. They do maintenance and repairs, as well as conversions.

***

MANSFIELD

Barber Zone 2 in Mansfield a True Guys Spot

Jonathan Todaro has been working in and managing the Barber Zone 2 in Mansfield since it opened in November, and it’s the culmination of a dream of days gone by for him.

“I was actually really inspired by the 1950 vintage barber shop,” he said. “You know, the classic hot towel shaves, the traditional men’s tapered haircuts, it was the old school styles.”

Todaro said the Barber Zone 2, a second location for Taunton’s Barber Zone, ties to be exactly that. He said he wanted the shop to be a place of comradery for his customers, to come in, layback and just be guys.

“I think there’s been a lack of traditional family barber shops catered towards the modern man,” he said. “Guys can come in and be themselves. It definitely has that kind of Man Cave feeling.”

***

EASTON

Sophies Pizza Place in Easton a True Family Business

Sophie Devaney said she and her family have been working on pizza since she was 13, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Shortly after college I was working at a bank, and it was a kind of sit down job in customer service like we’re doing here,” she said. “I wanted to try something different, as I grew up in this business. I found myself coming back to it.”

Devaney said she just wanted something with a quicker pace, and found it again at Sophie’s Pizza.

“I just love the atmosphere, the running around and the fast-paced environment,” she said.

Sophie’s Pizza Place opened in April in 2008 in Easton, but Devaney said her family had owned a pizza place in Norwood for 23 years.

***

CANTON

Canton Business Spotlight: Giovanni's Ice Cream

The walls of Giovanni’s Ice Cream in Canton are lined with candid photos of all of the shop's customers.

Owner Joey Federico said his mother and co-owner Anna is a photo person and likes to take pictures of everyone that comes in, creating what has been dubbed the "Wall of Giovanni's Fame".

Canton Patch sat down with Joey Federico and asked him where the name came from and how the ice cream business is throughout the year.

***

SHARON

Sharon Business Spotlight: French Memories Bakery

Sharon bakery French Memories is located right in Sharon Center, and features a generous selection of bakery items such as french pastries, breads and has a lunch menu that features specialty soups and sandwiches.

Owners Philippe and Debra Odier came to the area with the intent of opening an authentic French Patisserie. They have received the Best of Boston Award in 2005, 2007, 2009 and again in 2011.

Sharon Patch spoke with Tess Odier, the daughter of Philippe and Debra and asked how it was growing up in a bakery.

***

NORWOOD

Norwood Business Spotlight: Mug 'N Muffin Restaurant

The Mug 'N Muffin Restaurant, located at 716 Washington St. in Norwood, is  more than just muffins.

Owner David Monahan arrives at 6 a.m. to go over the days selections with his cooks.

Patch sat down with Stephen Paste, a Norwood resident who has been cooking for the Mug 'N Muffin for seven years.

***

DEDHAM

FHA Mortgage Insurance Increase is Now in Effect

Starting today, the Mortgage Insurance Premium for the FHA loan has increased to 10 points annually, or 0.10 percent points, according to the Federal Housing Administration.

The administration is also reversing their policy which allows FHA homeowners to cancel their mortgage insurance premiums once the principal of the loan reaches 78 percent of the original balance.

These changes are being implemented in order to help replenish the administration's emergency fund.