Today we’d like to introduce you to Zachary Baum.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Zachary. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
After college, when I began working, I became very focused on contributing to the city as opposed to just consuming the great things it offers. When the opportunity to build a space that businesses and neighbors could fill with inventive, vibrant activity, it was clear to me this was where I should spend my time and energy.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No. Building things is always hard. Building amorphous things that are hard to describe are even harder. We worked very closely with the City of Somerville and with our Union Square Neighbors for over a year on getting the appropriate zoning approval for the project. When we finally started construction we found out that our building had next to no foundation, a long-buried gas tank (luckily empty), and no place to put any snow. To get lights installed, there are these enormous chains of business that need to all happen right. If a wire distributor in Ohio misses his flight back from a wedding in Wyoming, your lights can be delayed by a week. For us, the hurricanes in Houston and Puerto Rico last summer meant an important piece of our electrical room was three months late.
Please tell us about Bow Market.
Our company is myself and my partner Matt Boyes-Watson. Bow Market is what we do, I suppose that’s what we specialize in, and I don’t think we’re known for anything yet!
I’m most proud of our guiding principle: don’t muck this up. Our space and our vendors are the talent, Matt and I are here to keep the lights on.
What sets us apart are the people we’ve been able to attract, I feel very confident in saying that we’ve got the highest concentration of badass business owners per square foot in the state.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I could start over I would have spent more time learning about the businesses in the southern neighborhoods of Boston. Living in Somerville, I started with the shops and restaurants I knew the best, I’m only now becoming familiar with the incredible businesses like Dudley Cafe in Dorchester, Roxbury, and Roslindale. I’m excited to learn from what they’re doing and exchange the energies we’re building on our respective sides of the Charles.
Contact Info:
- Address: Bow Market
1 Bow Market Way
Somerville, MA 02143 - Website: bowmarketsomerville.com
- Email: partners@bowmarketsomerville.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/bow.market/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/bowmarket/
Image Credit:
Photo of Matt and Zach: Ilia Baum
Photos of Bow Market: Malcolm Higgins
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
