By Melissa Moore-Randall
A lifelong entrepreneurial spirit has landed Revere’s Raffaele Scalzi on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association. Scalzi is the owner of Pazza on Porter, Next Door Speakeasy and Raw Bar in East Boston, and Casa Lucia Function Facility in Revere. He is also the director of New England’s largest trade beverage expo, the Boston Wine Expo, and co-founder of Boston’s largest food festival, the Boston Pizza Festival. Both are annual events held in the City of Boston.
Raffaele’s career in the restaurant industry began at 15 when he worked as a busboy. “I have been in the restaurant industry for over 15 years, with experience in sales, event production, and hospitality. Over the years, I slowly learned the trade, working my way up to General Manager. Eventually, I owned my first restaurant with my brother called Casa Mia in Marblehead.”
“I recently joined the Board of Directors of the MRA in the hope of bringing a fresh perspective to the industry. The industry has changed significantly over the past 10-15 years, with challenges like price surges, inflation, and high payroll costs. I feel I can contribute more to the industry beyond just owning restaurants. The MRA serves as the voice of the industry to our state legislature, and it’s good to be part of an organization that understands the pulse of the industry.”
Scalzi grew up in Revere in a close Italian family that includes his parents, his twin sister and older brother. He attended Revere Public Schools and is a Revere High School graduate. He later attended Suffolk University.
Scalzi is in the process of opening a new Ramen and Sushi take-out location in East Boston, which should open in early 2025. “I see a shift towards take-out dining, with more people eating at home rather than dining out. My plan is to bring the restaurant experience to homes by offering branded take-out packaging with elevated ramen and sushi cuisine.”
“For anyone looking to pursue anything in life, it’s not always a linear path. Sometimes, failing forward provides the best results. Don’t give up and continue to try your best every day—good things will come out of that.”
The HYM Investment Group unveils Mural at Amaya by prominent international artist
Special to the Journal
The HYM Investment Group (HYM) and National Real Estate Advisors, LLC (“National”), have unveiled an 2,700 square foot mural by internationally acclaimed French artist Julien Colombier at Amaya, the first residential building to deliver at Suffolk Downs. The piece was commissioned in partnership with JUSTKIDS, an award-winning art consulting firm who specializes in propelling place-making and public art. Colombier drew inspiration for the mural from the rich biodiversity and natural beauty of the Suffolk Downs neighborhood, including Belle Isle Marsh and Revere Beach. The mural, Colombier’s first in the United States, integrates themes of climate resiliency and ecological preservation, aligning with HYM’s commitment to prioritizing sustainable design at Suffolk Downs. Colombier’s mural will enhance the vibrant and enriching living experience enjoyed by residents of Amaya and serve as an extension of nearby arts and cultural spaces, including The Stage at Suffolk Downs.
Colombier’s mural at Amaya is located on the ground floor facade of the building, lining the new Beachmont Plaza and turning the corner onto a brand new Salt Street, well-positioned to welcome visitors to Beachmont Square and residents to their new home at Amaya. The artwork prominently features bright colors and local florals such as Cardinal Flowers, Bird’s Foot, Coral Honeysuckle, Great Blue Lobelia and Wild Indigo, that are native to Massachusetts. The mural’s blue background was inspired by the many water sources located near the Suffolk Downs site as well as the creative measures that HYM has implemented to mitigate the effects of climate change and rising sea levels. In planning the Suffolk Downs development, HYM commissioned a highly advanced hydraulic model, which informed the inclusion of the site’s floodable parks and purposeful infrastructure, designed to embrace many inevitable impacts of climate change.
“The addition of Julien Colombier’s mural at Amaya further solidifies Suffolk Downs as an accessible, sustainable, and dynamic neighborhood that prioritizes art and creativity,” said Thomas N. O’Brien, Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of HYM. “We are honored that Julien chose to make his United States debut with us in Revere, and we look forward to seeing residents and visitors enjoy Julien’s mural for years to come.”
“We are proud to see our vision come to life at the Amaya project, enhancing the Suffolk Downs community with this expansive public art installation,” said Jeffrey Kanne, President and CEO of National Real Estate Advisors, LLC. “We look forward to the positive impact this mural will have on visitors and residents of Amaya.”
“The inspiration for this work was the rich variety of local flowers and how to express them artistically, while harmoniously adapting to the architecture as the canvas for this giant painting. For this project I wanted to consider viewers from various distances, and finding the right scale was essential to create something vibrant and groovy, yet still poetic.” said artist Julien Colombier.
“We’re thrilled to collaborate with HYM, a visionary team that truly understands the profound value of art and culture in creating memorable spaces,” said Charlotte Duoit, Founder and Director of JUSTKIDS. “Julien’s design perfectly captures the essence of the surrounding area, infusing it with a local flair that invites people to connect, experience and come back!”
First move-ins at Amaya, which was developed in partnership by National and HYM, began in June, with leasing for the property managed by Bozzuto. Amaya features over 34,000 square feet of state-of-the art amenities and 24,000 square feet of dynamic ground-level retail offerings, putting residents in close proximity to a diverse array of shopping, food and beverage options. Situated in Beachmont Square, residents will be connected to a lively community hub of neighborhood retail, open space and civic spaces within the 1.7M square feet, vibrant mixed-use neighborhood serving as a gateway to all of Suffolk Downs. Residents can also enjoy the nearby access to The Track at Suffolk Downs, including The Dog Park, community events, and concerts hosted at The Stage at Suffolk Downs.
Amaya also offers quick, easy connections to Downtown Boston and major transit hubs, and is located approximately 200 feet from the Beachmont Square Blue Line MBTA station, five minutes from Logan Airport, and 10 minutes from Downtown Boston.
“We’re thrilled to have Julien Colombier’s new mural adding more color and excitement at Amaya,” said General Manager at Amaya, Jennifer Soto. “The artwork further enhances our community of creativity and connection. It is a welcome addition to the property and serves as a great representation of all that Amaya has to offer.”
