🪱 Happy Thursday Wormtown!
Welcome to this week’s Wormtown Weekly! 🪱
Big shoutout to all our new subscribers — excited to have you hanging out with the Wormtown crew. Each Thursday we round up the best of what’s happening around Worcester and the surrounding towns, but don’t forget there’s a whole lot more waiting for you on the Wormtown Weekly website: Worcester 101 (perfect if you’re new to the area), the Worcester Regional Guide (chock full of local goodness), and our Local Brewery Directory — one of my personal favorites. If I’m missing your go-to spot, definitely let me know.
And while you’re there, look at the top of the page for the link to submit your upcoming event so Wormtown Weekly can help promote it for you — totally FREE.
On to this weeks issue!
Best Coffee Shop Survey - One More Week
Due to the overwhelming amount of replies and the huge amount of great coffee options we have I want to keep this going one more week to make sure everyone that wants to play along has a chance. Don’t forget we'll total the entries and one lucky winner will win $20 of coffee at their favorite spot on Wormtown Weekly!
It’s just two quick questions.
Local Business Buzz
Downtown Worcester: a fresh wave of new openings
Worcester • Late Dec 2025
A quick roundup of new additions downtown—from restaurants to retail (plus a peek at nightlife newcomers).
Brew Biscuits: Holden dog-treat maker gets a spotlight
Holden • Jan 2026
Brew Biscuits is turning spent brewery grains into nutritious dog treats—local ingenuity, zero-waste vibes.
Mathnasium Auburn lists a soft opening date
Auburn • Thu, Jan 15
A new Mathnasium center is gearing up on Southbridge Street (events page shows a Jan 15 soft opening).
Southborough retail & restaurant update
Southborough • Jan 7
Select Board updates include progress on the future Costco and movement on additional restaurant activity in town.
Andersen announces a new Southborough office
Southborough • Jan 13
Professional services firm Andersen announced a new office in Southborough, expanding its Metro Boston presence.
Wachusett Area Chamber: 2026 Business Grant Program now open
Holden / Paxton / Rutland area • Apply by Feb 7
The Chamber’s grant program is accepting applications (and the total pool is bigger this year).
Health Foundation: 2026 Activation Fund is open
Central MA • Phase I due Mar 1 (5:00 PM)
Funding opportunity for organizations building capacity and impact across the region—key dates and info sessions listed.
City of Worcester: Small Business Grant Program
Worcester • Ongoing
We mentioned this last week but still ongoing. A city program designed to help new storefront businesses launch or existing ones expand in targeted corridors (eligibility + uses listed).
🪚 Local Business Spotlight:
Image Courtesy of Spicy Water Distillery
Local Business Spotlight
Spicy Water Distillery (Millbury)
Tucked into historic Armory Village at 108 Elm Street, Spicy Water Distillery is a small-batch craft distillery that’s quickly become one of Millbury’s coolest hangouts. The 4,400 sq ft space combines a full production distillery, a cozy tasting room, and an event space just a few minutes from The Shoppes at Blackstone Valley.
Behind the bar you’ll find house-made spirits like Armory Village Vodka, Blackstone Valley Gin, Elm Street Limoncello, Sunken Island Rum, and Two Gavels Bourbon, shaken into creative cocktails (many of which can be made as mocktails). Expect a relaxed lounge vibe with board games, local art, and a steady rotation of events from live acoustic sets to craft nights and pop-up collabs with local food vendors.
Why we like it: It feels hyper-local in the best way — a spot where you can sip spirits that are made on-site, catch some low-key live music, and actually talk to the people behind the bar who are making the stuff. It’s a perfect “meet a friend for one drink and stay for three” kind of place, and a nice alternative when you want something a little cozier than the big-box plaza scene.
Upcoming Events
Thursday Trivia Night at BirchTree Bread Company
Worcester • Every Thu • 6:00–9:00pm
Weekly trivia night at BirchTree Bread Company (138 Green Street, Worcester). Grab delicious food, craft cocktails, local beer, and great vibes while your team competes for prizes awarded to the top three teams.
EcoTarium: Attack of the Bloodsuckers Exhibit Opening
Worcester • Sat, Jan 17
Ribbon-cutting for the EcoTarium’s newest traveling exhibit, Attack of the Bloodsuckers! Meet leeches, ticks, mosquitoes and other “bloodsuckers” through hands-on, family-friendly science fun.
WooSox 6th Annual Polar Park Job Fair
Worcester • Sat, Jan 17
Looking for a ballpark side gig? The WooSox are hiring part-time and seasonal staff for the ’26 season. Stop by the clubhouse at Polar Park between 10 a.m. and noon with your résumé.
Improving Your Work/Life Balance (Free Workshop)
Worcester • Sat, Jan 17
Professional organizer Jenna Elliott leads a free, practical session at Worcester Public Library on setting priorities, using your calendar more effectively, and building habits that keep 2026 a little less chaotic.
The Dinner Detective: True Crime Murder Mystery Dinner
Worcester • Sat, Jan 17
An interactive whodunit at the Hilton Garden Inn Worcester. Enjoy a full dinner while you work the case and try to out-sleuth the room at this comedic murder mystery show.
Bear’s Play Space: Music & Movement + Sensory Bottle Making
Worcester • Mon, Jan 19
A morning of music, movement and hands-on fun for little ones at Bear’s Play Space. Kids dance it out, then create their own calming sensory bottle to take home. Registration required; fee applies.
Worcester Main Library: Family Fun – Cocoa & Crafts
Worcester • Tue, Jan 20
Families with kids ages 4–12 are invited to an evening of cozy winter crafts and hot cocoa at the main library. Pajamas, sweats and maximum comfiness strongly encouraged.
Yoga for Tweens (Ages 8–12)
Worcester • Wed, Jan 21
Worcester Public Library hosts a tween yoga session led by yogi Mar’Kee. Kids ages 8–12 can move, breathe and unwind together in a welcoming, kid-friendly practice.
Northborough Library: Ongoing Weekly Story Times
Northborough • Wed, Jan 21
Free drop-in story time at Northborough Free Library. Young readers can enjoy read-alouds, songs and simple activities while grownups get a low-key midweek outing.
📣 Got an Event Coming Up?
Whether it's a craft fair, a concert at your cousin's brewery, or a holiday lights display so bright it scares the turkeys — we want to hear about it!
Share your upcoming Central Mass event and we’ll help get the word out to thousands of locals who actually read the newsletter (seriously).
Image courtesy of BAYPATH Humane Society of Hopkinton
Meet Emily!
Emily is a sweet, playful, and moderately active girl who loves gentle attention and nighttime snuggles. She can be shy with new people at first, but once she feels safe, she shows her affectionate side — complete with adorable little chirps! She enjoys being petted, doesn’t mind being picked up, and will politely walk away when she’s done.
Emily plays gently and loves wand toys and little stuffed toys she can chase. She does great with other cats but doesn’t need a feline friend. She’s also lived comfortably with teens and bonds deeply with her family.
Emily should be in a dog-free home, as she gets nervous around dogs. Emily at this time eats urinary food and does very well on it.
Good habits:
- Perfect litter box manners
- Uses scratching posts
- Not a counter surfer
- Sleeps through the night and loves to cuddle
Emily is a lovable, expressive girl looking for a calm, caring home where she can feel safe and adored. If you’re looking for a gentle, sweet companion with the cutest personality, Emily might be your perfect match!
Upcoming Live Music
Troy Mercy at the Frontroom (WCUW)
Worcester • Sat, Jan 17 • 7:00pm
Winner of the 2024/25 Boston Blues Challenge, Troy Mercy brings his blues power-duo with a rock & roll edge to the WCUW Frontroom, joined by drummer Harrison Foti. Tickets are $15 (cash or Venmo) at the door; doors open at 6:30pm.
THE TAYLOR PARTY – Taylor Swift Night (Palladium Upstairs)
Worcester • Fri, Jan 16 • 8:00pm
A full-on Taylor Swift dance night with eras-spanning sing-along bangers, glitter, and Swifties filling the Palladium Upstairs.
Come To Grief (10th Anniversary) + Churchburn, Angel Morgue & CWAF
Worcester • Fri, Jan 16 • 8:00pm
Heavy, sludgy, and loud: a stacked doom/metal bill celebrating 10 years of Come To Grief at Ralph’s Diner (21+, doors at 8pm).
Yo Quiero Bailar – Latin Night at the Palladium
Worcester • Fri, Jan 16 • 8:00pm
High-energy Latin and reggaeton night at the Palladium, with DJs and live performers turning Main Street into a late-night dance floor.
Lainey Dionne at Wachusett Brew Yard – Worcester
Worcester • Sat, Jan 17 • 1:00pm
Afternoon set of pop/indie originals and covers from Rhode Island singer-songwriter Lainey Dionne in the taproom at Wachusett Brew Yard on Green Street.
Matt Brodeur Acoustic at Piccolino's Restaurant
Shirley • Sat, Jan 17 • 7:00–11:59pm
Solo acoustic evening with Matt Brodeur—classic favorites and singer-songwriter staples—at Piccolino's Restaurant, 4 Mill St in Shirley.
Niall Connolly at Boland's Bar & Patio
Worcester • Sun, Jan 18 • 4:00pm
Irish singer-songwriter Niall Connolly brings story-driven folk tunes to Boland's in the Canal District — a cozy Sunday afternoon pint-and-music situation.
That’s it for this edition of Wormtown Weekly. Thanks for making us part of your weekly routine and for caring about what’s happening in our corner of Central Mass.
If this issue nudged you to try a new spot, attend an event, or support a local business, we’d love to hear about it. Just hit reply and tell us what you discovered — your finds and favorites help us decide what to highlight next.
Until we land in your inbox again, keep showing up for local makers, shops, venues, and neighbors. Stay cozy, stay curious, and we’ll see you around Wormtown. 🪱
— The Wormtown Weekly crew
PS. Do you know a business or individual that could use a shoutout? Let me know here! [email protected]
