Welcome to Support Arlington Center

Support Arlington Center is a citizens' group dedicated to keeping Arlington Center thriving with diverse, successful small businesses. It was started in June 2016 during the alarming rate of empty storefronts and exorbitant rent increases. The group works with Town members, business owners and the community to encourage shopping and dining in Arlington Center. The group consists of Arlington residents, business owners, and visitors who love and support Arlington Center. We feel a special responsibility as the site of Town Hall, Robbins Library, Arlington High School, the Town Garden, Arlington Town Day, Jason Russell House, Cyrus Dallin Museum, Spy Pond, the Boys and Girls Club, the Senior Center, the main post office, and much more. Learn more about Support Arlington Center and join the conversation on Facebook. 

​"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead

Featured Business of the Month
​The Artful Heart Gallery

Located in the heart of Arlington on 8 Medford Street across from the Regent Theater, The Artful Heart Gallery is a small store, with a big heart. Their mission is to support local artist by providing an exciting venue to display and sell their work.  At the Artful Heart Gallery, artists and buyers come together in a vibrant and welcoming environment. By hosting artist talks and special events, The Artful Heart Gallery encourages the wider community to see and share the beauty of locally made crafts. Such beautiful products include pottery, glass, wood, candles, soap, jewelry, fine art and prints, scarves, textiles, candy, confections, cards, stationary and more.

Carla Dorato, owner of the Artful Heart Gallery and a jewelry artist herself, had hoped that someday she would open her own gallery. When she learned that the former owner of Arlington's Divinity’s Splendor Glow was too ill to continue with the shop, she saw the opportunity to fulfill her dream, save a valuable institution and help a fellow artist in need. Aided by friends and family, Carla was able to open as the Artful Heart Gallery in late November of 2012. Since then, it has been a great success!

Stop by The Artful Heart; they are opened 7 days a week! See their website for hours.  

Website  |  Email  |  Facebook

Events, Recent News & Articles

First Lights Tree Lighting in Whittemore Park, Arlington Center
November 29, 2018  |  6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Event includes:
Lighting of the Park
Visting the Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum
Live Ice Sculpting Demonstration 
Cookies 
Candy Canes 
Glowing Giveaway 
Strolling Characters
Performance and Sing-a-long by Vocal Revolution
Collection boxes for the Arlington Food Pantry and Toys for Tots
Learn more >

Come to the community workshop on Town business sign regulations 
October 29, 2018  |  7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Ottoson Middle School Cafetorium, 63 Acton Street
Learn more >

It's an Arlington Tradition! Trick or Treat Arlington
October 31, 2019  |  3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Children ages 10 and under are invited to show off their Halloween costumes and trick or treat at Arlington businesses from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm on Wednesday, October 31.
Look for poster in the windows of participating businesses.
Learn more > 

Aeronaut Arlington had a successful run in Whittemore Park in July, August and September
​- Take the beer garden survey
- Read press release 

​Letter to the Editor about Arlington's vacant storefront bylaw featured in the Boston Globe
How one Massachusetts town [Arlington] is tackling vacant storefronts
Read letter >

Listen to podcast interview with Support Arlington Center
Arlington Entrepreneurs interviewed co-founder Alyssa Clossey about the importance of small business shopping and how Support Arlington Center was formed. 
Listen now >

​Goals of the new bylaw for Vacant Store Fronts
Read more >
​
Boston Globe featured article: Residents pressure Arlington Center Landlords to fill growing vacant storefronts
Read more >
Arlington Cable News story on Support Arlington Center
Read more news >
Email Support Arlington Center  |  Photo credits: ​www.cambridgeville.com (home page photo) and Cheryl Freeman (secondary page photos)