We recently moved into our new office on Washington Street in Roslindale, not far from our previous location. As we’ve transitioned into a new space, we’ve been considering the ways in which we can support small businesses and new storefronts. Studio Luz is committed to supporting and uplifting other small businesses in the Greater Boston area who contribute to the vitality and personality of the area. As a small business ourselves, we understand the role these businesses play in the community, as well as the unique challenges they face. That’s why we try whenever we can to assist small business owners on design and architectural guidance, plans, and renderings for their businesses, in addition to patronizing their storefronts.
The completed storefront of our new office in Roslindale.
Though we’re no longer there, our former space is not sitting empty — it is now occupied by Tight Knit, a local yarn store created to be a place for creativity and connection, where everyone can explore the joy of fiber arts. The store opened earlier this month, and celebrated with a grand opening party and ribbon cutting, which some Studio Luz team members attended. Congratulations to Tight Knit, and we look forward to your continued success in our former office. Click here to see a video of their opening day.
Working with the Oasis team to ideate their new storefront.
As we ourselves settle into our new office, we’re excited to help other small businesses make their spaces their own as well, especially as part of our work on the 270 Talbot project. This new construction building in Dorchester will provide affordable and accessible housing opportunities to the community, in addition to storefronts on the ground floor. Currently, we are working on two businesses as part of this project: Esther and Connie’s Play Center, a daycare whose fitout, interiors, and branding we have collaborated on, and Oasis Vegan Veggie Parlor, an award-winning local plant-based food and juice bar whose space we are designing.
America’s Food Basket before, and a rendering of our facade renovation.
We are also proud to be contributing ongoing work for the City of Boston’s ReStore initiative, which helps eligible businesses and commercial property owners improve their storefronts by providing financial and design assistance for signage and/or facade renovations. One stand out project in this category is our facade renovation for America’s Food Basket, a minority owned business in the low/moderate income urban commercial district of Mattapan. This design uses material, texture and light to give motion and orientation to the existing building’s facade, creating a warm sense of place — something we believe is essential to a business’ successful presence in the community, and that we try to cultivate across our storefront projects.
Our renderings of Revere Dry Cleaners, part of the Shirley Ave. Shared Space Pilot Program.
Another new storefront that we worked on, Revere Dry Cleaners, opened its doors recently. Studio Luz provided design scheme renderings for this business as part of the area’s Shared Space Pilot Program, which aimed to support their growth and highlight opportunities for shared spaces in the Shirley Ave District. The Press Lab at Revere Dry cleaners is one of the first experiential retail spots in the area and helps to activate the block by encouraging visitors to linger, build community, and support commercial growth. Click here to see a video of the new storefront.
See more before and after images of our small business projects below.
Eagle’s Deli, before and after.
Sociedad Latina, before and after.
Down Under Yoga, before and after.