Giving Stoughton Business in 2013

During 2013, Stoughton Patch visited with the town's business owners to find out more about them and their companies,On the last day of the year, we are looking back on those visits and looking forward to meeting more people in 2014. If you own a small business, we'd like to hear from you. Drop us a line at stoughton.patch.com.

Stoughton Music Center-Robert Tarchara remembers the first day he opened up Stoughton Music Center in its old location on Wyman Street, near Roland's TV. He was just 23 years old in 1988 and a graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, Class of 1986. "It was the day of the (Michael( Dukakis and (George H.) Bush (presidential) election," he said. "That was a big day. Everyone was excited. Stoughton Center was really busy in those days. There was a lot going on." Now, 25 years later, Tarchara is still in business at 968 Washington St., and he is beating the odds with every anniversary." Read more here.

Stoughton Bakery: If she's not the hardest working person in Stoughon, then Ann Azul, the owner of Stoughton Bakery, is definitely in the top five in town. From early in the morning to early in the evening, Azul is baking, cooking and greeting her customers, whom she amazingly knows by their first names, sharing a smile and asking how they are doing. Read more here.

iCraze 2 Frozen Yogurt- Thomas Tran is bullish on Stoughton. That's why his family selected the former Starbucks location in the Walgreens Plaza on Route 138 for their new frozen yogurt place, iCraze 2 Frozen Yogurt, which opened for business Oct. 19. Read more here.

Brazilian Express: A new business will be opening up on Wyman Street after receiving approval from the Stoughton selectmen Tuesday night. Avellio Fernandes will be running Brazilian Express at 34 Wyman St. The store will sell coffee, frozen yogurt and provide services to pay bills. The store will be open 24 hours during snowstorm.Read more here.

Home Plate Advantage: One day, Laura MacDougall was working in the corporate world, sitting at her desk. "It was like, I got a great review on Thursday and I was laid off on Monday, she said. That left her looking for a new job, but instead, she opted for a new career and owning her own business. She has always loved to cook, so Home Plate Advantage was born five years ago. Read more there.

Stoughton House of Brews: Billed as "your neighborhood coffeehouse and tavern," the Stoughton House of Brews, which is located at 28 Porter Street in the downtown, is planning a soft opening Thursday morning. After getting initial approval to operate back in November of 2011, husband and wife team Leo and Sandra Fay of Stoughton have spent the last year and a half renovating the former Porter Street Pub. Read more here.

Foley's Backstreet Grille: Dave Foley first started Foley’s Backstreet Grille eight years ago, and said it was the best thing he ever did. Foley was born and raised in Canton, and bought his location about a mile over the Stoughton-Canton border on Pearl Street in Stoughton. He said it’s great because he lives right down the street. Read more here.

Ruk Mae: Family seems to be the driving force behind Jutaporn Sae Bang's new Stoughton restaurant Ruk Mae (which translates from Thai to "loving mom."), which opened in June at the Planet Fitness Plaza on Route 138. Read more here.

Chuck & Cheese House of Pizza: If you're looking to take the kids out for some pizza some night soon, don't confuse Chuck & Cheese House of Pizza with the more nationally known Chuck E. Cheese's. Read more here.

Last Shot: The Last Shot Sports Bar & Grill is a family run business and has been at its 559 Washington Street location in Stoughton for four years. The Nalli Family have been Canton residents for 35 years and Patch heard that they have some secret family recipes that they have brought to Stoughton. Read more here.

To read the entire year in business, go to Stoughton Patch Business.