Jim Brock has been a pillar in the neighborhood for decades as a small business owner (Boston Home Inspectors), philanthropist, volunteer, and all-around great guy. 

He was also one of the driving forces behind the creation of the South Boston Street Fest. 

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the neighborhood, Jim is the 2023 recipient of the Thomas J. Butler South Boston Small Business Leadership Award that will be presented at the 23rd South Boston Street Fest on Saturday, Oct. 7. 

“I was quite surprised,” he said when Street Fest organizers Karen Stanley and Don Wilson told him the news. “It’s quite an honor. It’s an honor to know that people thought of me.” 

But in his characteristically humble fashion, Jim shared the credit for this recognition with others.

“It's not just an award for me; it's an award for all those (business owners) who helped in the beginning, who put a lot of free hours and free time in to make this event happen,” he said.

Almost a quarter-century ago, Jim was a member of the Board of Trade (which eventually  became the South Boston Chamber of Commerce). One day, he was driving home through Jamaica Plain after performing a home inspection and found roads closed for a festival.

“Why can’t we just shut down Broadway?” he thought to himself. As he was driving, he was thinking about how they could close the street, where the buses and traffic could go, and other details. 

“Logistically, this would not be difficult at all.”

At that time, the Board of Trade had been organizing sidewalk sales and was in the process of using the municipal parking lot for a one-day event.

Jim and Karen, a small business owner at the time who now runs Vibrant Event Productions and produces the Street Fest, ran with the idea and everyone embraced it. They put together a team to get it done. 

Those team members included Jim, Karen, Don, Mike Foley, Tommy Tinlin, Cathe Walsh, Anthony Gilardi, Allison Drescher, Jeanne Rooney, Frank Crosby, among others. They got support from the elected officials and Mayor Tom Menino. The Convention Center stepped up. Donna Brown of South Boston NDC was on board, as were so many others. The local community was ready to help. 

“A lot of really good local people said, ‘You know what, you're right. This would be a great idea,’” Jim said. And from the beginning, organizers believed this was going to be a great long-term event.

Twenty-three years later, the Street Fest is an annual tradition that draws about 100 small businesses, artists, and nonprofits, as well as restaurants, performers, bands, and more than 5,000 attendees.  

Jim is impressed by the festival's growth, from its initial challenging stages to its current status as a well-coordinated event under the leadership of Karen and Donna, the executive director of South Boston NDC. “The community looks forward to it every year as it grows,” he said.

The Street Fest has evolved as the neighborhood has evolved, Jim said, noting the younger generation is getting more involved.

Jim stepped away from a Street Fest leadership role a while back but he still helps out at every Street Fest (missing just one). These days, he makes sure the streets get shut down properly and the check-in tent is set up; gets the police barriers in place; and answers any questions the police officers may have. After the fest, he helps with breakdown and makes sure the vendors are off the street and the street sweepers come through. 

If you know Jim, you know he’s generous by nature, as a person and as a business owner.

“I’ve always given back to the community from Day 1,” he said, noting his support of sports teams, Gate of Heaven Girl Scouts, other business owners, his customers, and people in need. “I just try to always give back whenever I can to the community.”

Jim, a native of Buffalo, NY, moved to South Boston in 1989. But his children – Christina, Ryan, Devin, Roisin, Aidan, and Connor – are quick to note that they were born and raised in Southie. After owning a construction company, Jim started Boston Home Inspectors in 1996. His family-owned business conducts each home inspection as if they were buying the house themselves. BHI goes above and beyond at each inspection. 

At his 23rd Street Fest, Jim looks forward to walking down the street and seeing people smiling, interacting, hugging, and just having an amazing time. 

And that’s what it’s all about!