Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | Fact Book 2018 | Worcester Business Journal 9 R E G I O N S M e t r o W e s t Commercial Residential Community tax rate tax rate MetroWest property tax rates Natick 13.05 13.05 Franklin 14.65 14.65 Southborough 16.14 16.14 Boxborough 16.44 16.44 Ashland 16.61 16.61 Hopkinton 16.90 16.90 Northborouth 17.39 17.39 Medway 17.66 17.66 Millis 18.02 18.02 Wayland 18.03 18.03 Westborough 18.46 18.46 Holliston 18.67 18.67 Sherborn 19.30 19.30 Acton 19.38 19.38 Bolton 20.66 20.66 Bellingham 20.81 14.41 Stow 20.98 20.98 Berlin 23.36 14.60 Sudbury 24.30 17.93 Marlborough 25.73 14.63 Littleton 28.03 18.14 Milford 31.06 16.56 Maynard 31.10 22.64 Hudson 35.18 17.50 Framingham 35.39 16.32 Source: Mass. Department of Revenue Service, with a smile T illy & Salvy's has been Natick's corner store since 1938. Today it remains a family-run business. Vice President Ryan Ciccarelli discussed how the small operation competes with bigger brands. Which family members are part of the business today? Currently, my father and myself are the only two full-time workers. My mother helps out a lot behind the scenes. How has MetroWest changed since you've been there? It's physically grown, the amount of residential building has increased dra- matically, and you are seeing more families move out from the city instead of staying in Boston. The customers are educated and want quality products whether it be food items from our store, or other consumer goods. How do you compete against big com- panies like Amazon and Whole Foods? We are able to compete with Amazon and Whole Foods due to our exceptional service and quality, as well as convenience in our shopping expe- rience. There are not many large com- panies where you can call to ask a question and the owner answers the phone. How do you maintain your relationships with the community? It is all about staying active and involved. We donate to every local cause we can and attend functions and events. Participating and living in the community you work is huge. Are there challenges of maintaining a family business into the fourth generation? The biggest challenge in making it to the fourth generation is continu- ing to have the desire and passion to compete. You cannot get complacent and let the business suffer because there are so many options for cus- tomers. If you don't love waking up every day to come to work and striv- ing to improve, you will not survive in this climate. What advice would you give to peo- ple considering doing business in MetroWest? Best advice would be to become involved in the community. Our cus- tomers love we know them personal- ly and are seen around the commu- nity on a daily basis. Immerse your- self in the town and community, and you will be successful. This interview was conducted and edited for length and clarity by Livia Gershon, special to the Worcester Business Journal. Ryan Ciccarelli (center) with his family at Tilly & Salvy's W P H O T O / F A C E B O O K

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