Visit Dedham Square
Walk through Dedham Square and you'll see why it’s so special. You’ll notice the unique shops, a variety of eateries, the art deco movie theatre, and a coffee shop on the corner where everyone knows your name. In the warmer weather, you’ll spot families gathering for ice cream, neighbors chatting at the farmers market, and coworkers going out for lunch. Year round, you’ll see merchants greeting their customers, jurors reporting for duty, policemen making their rounds, and the postman delivering mail. When you arrive in Dedham Square, it’s hard to miss the church steeples, the magnificent courthouse steps, and the historic homes and buildings decorating every block. A quick stroll down the street, and you’ll see babies in strollers, seniors on park benches, classmates en route to the library, and smiling faces hailing from all over the region. This is Dedham Square.
Outside Dining
Dedham Square has many options for dining out, grabbing a quick bite, or just getting together for coffee or drinks! Whether you're in the mood for American bistro style cuisine, breakfast, Greek specialties, seafood, pizza, fresh baked bagels, or handmade pastries, there is something for everyone in Dedham Square.
Why Main Street Matters
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They are prominent employment centers. Even the smallest district employs hundreds of people, and often the district is collectively the community's largest employer.
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The Dedham Square is a reflection of community image, pride, prosperity, and level of investment — critical factors in business retention and recruitment efforts.
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Dedham Square represents a significant portion of the community's tax base. If the district declines, property values drop, placing more of a tax burden on other parts of town.
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60 cents of every dollar spent in an independently owned business, like the majority of those in the Square, is retained or recirculated in the same community.
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Help to provide a stable economic foundation, versus a few large businesses and chains with no ties to stay in the community
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Downtowns are part of the historic core of the community. Its buildings embody the community's past and its visual identity.
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Dedham Square helps bring people into the town. When people travel or shop, they want to see unique places — especially ones that offer a unique shopping "experience."
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A healthy downtown core protects property values in a town’s residential neighborhoods.
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Provides an important civic forum, where members of the community can congregate. Parades, special events, and celebrations held here reinforce an intangible sense of community.
Can malls and discount centers take the place of traditional commercial districts? The answer is a resounding "no." It may no longer be the sole option in the community, but the downtown commercial district (DCD) is much more than a shopping center. The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “Main Street Center”, of which the Dedham Square Circle is a member, summarizes why downtown commercial districts, like Dedham Square, are important:
Historic Dedham Village
Take a self-guided tour of historic Dedham Village to learn more about the people and places that make the Square unique, take a kayak or canoe along the Charles River, catch a movie, meet local artists and authors. There's always something going on in Dedham Square.
Why Shop Local