Whole Foods 5% Day to Benefit Dedham Square Circle

Whole Foods Market Names Dedham Square Circle

Beneficiary of 5% Day

Customers who shop at Whole Food Market Dedham on Tuesday, March 1 from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. will have the opportunity to help raise funds to shape the future of Dedham Square.  The Dedham store will host a “5% Day” in which five percent of the store’s net sales for that day will be donated to the Dedham Square Circle, a non-profit organization aimed at revitalizing Dedham’s historic downtown.

The event will feature special tastings from two Dedham Square restaurants, Deli After Dark and Kouzina Estiatorio, and shoppers will have the opportunity to win free gift certificates to Dedham Square businesses.   “This is an amazing opportunity for Dedham Square Circle to increase awareness of our ongoing efforts to improve and promote Dedham Square and to raise critical funds to support our programs,” said Dedham Square Circle Executive Director, Amy Haelsen.  “It also provides us with the chance to reach people who may be unfamiliar with Dedham Square and how much it has to offer,” said Haelsen.

Among Dedham Square Circle’s major initiatives to improve the Square are its Sign and Façade Improvement Program which provides matching funds to property owners and merchants seeking to make physical upgrades to their properties and businesses.   DSC will also continue its partnership with the Town of Dedham on plans for the Dedham Square Improvement Project, the largest streetscape improvements that the Square has seen in over 50 years.   The project will focus on making the Square easier to access, safer to navigate, and more beautiful to enjoy.  Through its “Destination Dedham” campaign, DSC promotes the Square both locally and regionally  with a targeted  advertising campaign to attract new visitors.   In addition, DSC plans several community events, including the weekly farmers market and the Holiday Stroll, as well as merchant promotions throughout the year, to bring more people to the Square to support the small businesses.

“We are so appreciative of Whole Foods Market’s continued generous support of our efforts,” said Haelsen.  “They are a terrific example of what it means to be a good corporate citizen, to give back to the community in which you operate.”  Haelsen added that  Whole Foods Market Dedham has been a major sponsor of the Dedham Farmers Market and other community events in Dedham Square.

“We believe passionately in supporting the communities we serve so selecting Dedham Square Circle as a 5% Day recipient was an obvious choice for us,” said Lauren Klatsky, Marketing Team Leader at Whole Foods Market Dedham.  “Dedham Square Circle has been a great partner in the Town of Dedham since the store opened in 2009 and we look forward to continuing our participation with the Farmers Market and other Dedham Square events & initiatives.”