🪱 Wormtown Weekly — October 09, 2025

Local buzz, fall events, and live music all around Central Mass 🍂

🍁 Hey Worcester (and all you neighboring legends)

Leaves are turning, coffee’s getting more expensive, and Central Mass is buzzing. This week’s Wormtown Weekly is packed with can’t-miss events, local business news, and a few things that’ll make you feel good about calling this place home. Let’s go 👇

• “The Cove” luxury Canal District development
• 11-story tower proposal
• 364-unit apartments at Franklin Street
• Seabra Foods international market opening

📰 Local Buzz & Bright Spots

🌆 “The Cove” Brings Luxury Living to the Canal District

Located across from Polar Park, The Cove features 173 apartments, street-level retail, and an outdoor pool. Worcester is starting to feel a little… fancy.

Why it matters: This project helps turn the Canal District into a mini city-within-a-city — blending community, sports, and small business in one of the most walkable corners of Central Mass.

🔗 Read More

🏗️ 11-Story Tower Proposal for Downtown Worcester

A Springfield firm wants to build an 11-story mixed-use tower with 139 apartments, retail, and a rooftop deck. If approved, it’ll reshape the skyline (and parking chaos).

Why it matters: Worcester’s skyline could finally start catching up with its energy — big city look, small town heart.

🔗 Learn More

🏘️ New Apartments at Franklin Street

Developers from New Jersey have purchased parcels near Union Station to build a 364-unit apartment complex blending modern design with industrial roots.

Why it matters: Worcester’s housing boom continues — connecting downtown and the Canal District like never before.

🔗 Read More

🍛 Seabra Foods International Market Expands to Central Mass

Popular Portuguese and Latin American grocer Seabra Foods is opening a brand-new market at 333 Pleasant Street, offering specialty goods from Brazil, Portugal, Ecuador, and beyond.

Why it matters: Finally — a one-stop shop for chouriço, pão de queijo, and spices you can’t find anywhere else. Expect a true taste of Central Mass’s growing cultural mix.

🔗 Read More

📅 Upcoming Local Events

🍁 Fall mode: ON.

🔥 This Weekend (Oct 9–12)

• 🎃 Boo in the Woo @ Polar Park — Thurs–Sun evenings, Oct 9–31
  Haunted walkthrough for ages 12+ at night; family fall festival on weekend afternoons.
  🔗 Event Details & Tickets
• 🕯️ Phantoms by Firelight @ Old Sturbridge Village — Fri–Sun, Oct 10–26 • 4:30–9:30 PM
  Costumed interpreters, fire performances, pumpkin paths, and cozy 1830s vibes.
  🔗 Event Page
• ✨ Weekend of Wonder @ New England Botanic Garden — Oct 11–13 • 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
  Fantasy-themed crafts, beer garden, “Stranger Plants” exhibit, and marketplace.
  🔗 More Info
• 🧵 “Above & Beyond” Exhibit @ Worcester Center for Crafts — Oct 9–Nov 1
  Northeast Feltmakers Guild showcase — perfect low-key indoor culture stop.
  🔗 Exhibit Details
• 🌽 Fall Festival @ West End Creamery (Whitinsville) — Oct weekends
  Corn maze, fall treats, hayrides; open Fri evening + Sat/Sun daytime.
  🔗 Hours & Tickets

📌 Coming Up

• 🍏 AppleFest @ Wachusett Mountain (Princeton) — Oct 18–19 & Oct 25–26
  Foliage views, craft vendors, kids’ activities, and lots of apples.
  🔗 Weekend I • Weekend II
• 🎪 Sturbridge Harvest Fest — Oct 18–19 • Sturbridge Town Common
  Classic New England fall fair with local makers and seasonal food.
  🔗 Event Info

🎶 Live Music Lineup — Central Mass Is Rockin’

Because nothing says fall like cold beer, flannel, and a little feedback from a local amp.

🎸 Thursday, October 9

• 🎤 Rhett Miller — Off The Rails, **Worcester, MA** • 7PM
• 🎵 Reed Foehl — Mechanics Hall, **Worcester, MA** • 7PM

🎷 Friday, October 10

• 🎻 Black Violin — Full Circle Tour — The Hanover Theatre, **Worcester, MA**
• 🎸 Woostock — Electric Haze, **Worcester, MA** • 6:30PM

🥁 Saturday, October 11

• 💃 Line Dancing w/ Michelle — Off The Rails, **Worcester, MA** • 7PM (Free)
• 🎤 The Gobshites — Boland’s Bar & Patio, **Worcester, MA**
• 🎸 The Fab3 Beatles Tribute — Timberyard Brewing, **South Spencer, MA** • 7PM

🎧 Ongoing / Recurring

• 🎙️ Wootenanny Open Mics — Mon @ Beth’s (Grafton Hill, Worcester), Tue @ Ralph’s (Worcester), Wed @ Blackstone Grill (Worcester), Thu @ Hotel Vernon (Worcester) (sign-ups ~7PM). Schedule
• 🎶 Husky’s Pub Open Mic — 413 Park Ave, **Worcester, MA** • Select Wednesdays @ 7PM. Info
• 🔥 Electric Haze Live Calendar — **Worcester, MA**’s psychedelic music hub. Upcoming Shows

🥋 Local Business Spotlight: America’s Best Defense (ABD Martial Arts)

Ready to level up confidence, fitness, and real-world self-defense? America’s Best Defense (ABD Martial Arts) has been transforming students since 1999 with proven programs for kids and adults—all in a welcoming, high-energy environment.

💪 What They Offer

• Kids Martial Arts: Confidence, focus, respect, and age-appropriate self-defense skills—designed to help on and off the mat.
• Krav Maga / Adult Self-Defense: Practical techniques, serious cardio, and stress relief—no experience needed.
• Welcoming Culture: Safe, encouraging classes for all fitness levels with coaches who actually learn your name.

⭐ Why Locals Love ABD

• Results that stick: Parents report better focus and discipline; adults see real skills and confidence.
• Community feel: More than a workout—students make friends, hit goals, and celebrate wins together.
• Multiple MA locations: Find the closest academy to Shrewsbury/Worcester via their locations page.

👉 Curious? Hit the “Try a Class” button on their site to see schedules and locations: abdmartialarts.com

Try a Class