The Norwood Planning Board has officially scheduled a public hearing for September 9 at 8:15 p.m. at Town Hall to consider an application submitted by developer Frank R. Simoni requesting a significant zoning reclassification along Walpole Street. Mr. Simoni is petitioning to change a parcel of land situated near the Rustic Acres development and Davis Avenue—located off Walpole Street near Davis Avenue—from a single-residence zone to a business zone to facilitate the construction of a new shopping center. Mr. Simoni formally presented the planning board with a supporting petition signed by residents of the surrounding neighborhood.
During preliminary discussions, local resident Irving D. Roth of 186 Sumner Street was recorded as favoring the commercial development plan. However, municipal officials noted that the proposed retail site occupies the same immediate geographic sector as another competing shopping center proposal previously advanced by the Bay State Management Trust. Meanwhile, in related real estate and municipal developments, John P. Alevizos, representing Almor Homes, Inc. (builders of the Hearthstones subdivision in Westover), informed the Planning Board that 40 additional residential lots in the Westover section had been acquired from Parkland Realty, Inc. Additionally, no public opposition has been raised regarding a proposed subdivision of land located at Route 1 and Sumner Street submitted by developer Robert Rizzo.
In community organizational news, Grand Knight Michael Zullo announced that the Norwood Council, Knights of Columbus, will hold its annual Installation of Officers at the K. of C. Home on Nichols Street on September 8, honoring all Past Grand Knights. Past Grand Knight Robert Gearty is managing arrangements for members attending the annual Archdiocese Television Mass recording at the Archdiocesan TV Center in Boston, while a social evening featuring a spaghetti and meatball dinner for members and their wives is scheduled for September 23. (Reporting by James T. O’Sullivan, The Patriot Ledger).
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More Norwood Business History
-
Norwood Entrepreneur Quontay Turner-January 30, 2026
Quontay Turner, owner of The Emerald City Plant Shop on Washington Street, for her business success and community leadership.
-
A Black-Owned Plant Shop Blooms In The Pandemic’s Wake-June 9, 2021
Quontay Turner opened Emerald City Plant Shop in Norwood, becoming New England’s first Black woman-owned plant store, turning a pandemic leap into a thriving botanical oasis and community space.
-
Hurley’s Beer & Wine Relocates to Vanderbilt Avenue-July 17, 2015
After 16 years in South Norwood, Hurley is navigating increased competition by emphasizing community involvement and quality customer service.
-
Savers Thrift Store Grand Opening In Norwood-July 30, 2013
On July 30, 2013, Savers Thrift Store opened at 560 Boston Providence Highway in Norwood, providing affordable goods, jobs, and charitable support.
-
Boston’s Baddest Burger-August 10, 2012
Kevin Tortorella’s “Boston’s Baddest Burger” is now serving fresh, locally sourced breakfast and lunch options in Norwood and Boston, marking the town’s first fully licensed food truck.
-
Ruma’s Fruit & Gift Basket World Wins Businesswoman of the Year-July 10, 2010
Tracing its roots back to 1900 on the cobblestones of Haymarket Square, the Ruma family of Norwood built a century-old produce and gift basket enterprise that earned Businesswoman of the Year honors in 2010.
-
Revitalizing Norwood Center: A Town’s Rebirth-July 2, 2005
Discover how Norwood has been working to transform its central business district into a vibrant shopping and dining destination.
-
Slump in Chip Industry Hits Norwood Maker-This Day In Norwood History – July 21, 1998
Analog Devices Inc. struggled with falling revenues in 1998 as global demand for semiconductors and testing equipment plummeted. Despite the fiscal pressure, the Norwood company avoided layoffs, maintaining its workforce through the market downturn.
-
Ice-Cream Vendor Disputes Fees Demanded by Norwood Arts Council-July 18, 1991
The dispute involved allegations of intimidation, Open Meeting Law concerns, and tensions over who is permitted to sell goods on the Norwood Common.
-
Butters Family Sells Pharmacy-July 20, 1990
A significant chapter in the history of South Norwood business and family legacy came to an end on July 20, 1990. The Butters family pharmacy, a staple in the community for over four decades, ceased operations after Helen Butters, the selectman’s mother and president of the family business, decided to sell the pharmaceutical stock and…
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.