 YOUR LOCAL WORCESTER DIGEST | Hello! Thanks for joining us for this week’s issue of Wormtown Weekly. With the stretch of beautiful spring weather we’ve been enjoying lately, it feels like the whole Worcester area is starting to come back to life. Warmer days, longer evenings, and more people out and about can only mean one thing: there is plenty happening across the region. We’re glad you’re here, and we hope this week’s issue helps you make the most of it.
Here's what we've got for you. | In This Week's Issue: - New Mexican restaurant opening
- Workbar is closing its Worcester coworking space
- Chipotle in Sutton?
- Ton's of live music events this week!
| |  | What's moving and shaking in Worcester County | New Mexican restaurant opens in downtown Worcester Rio Viejo Cocina de México has officially opened at 50 Franklin Street in Worcester. The new restaurant began welcoming guests on March 30 and marked the opening with a ribbon-cutting attended by Mayor Joe Petty. The menu includes tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, seafood dishes, and complimentary chips and salsa. Why it matters: Franklin Street keeps adding new dining options, and this is another sign that downtown Worcester’s restaurant scene is still growing heading into spring. Read More › Big Blue Swim School is coming to White City in Shrewsbury Big Blue Swim School plans to open at 100 Boston Turnpike in Shrewsbury, taking over the former Party City space at White City. The company says the location will feature a heated indoor pool and daily swim lessons for everyone from infants to adults, with an opening planned for this summer. Why it matters: It fills a long-vacant retail space with a family-focused business and brings a new year-round activity option to one of the area’s busiest shopping centers. Read More › New Chase branch proposed for Route 9 in Shrewsbury A new Chase Bank branch has been proposed for Quinsigamond Plaza along Boston Turnpike in Shrewsbury. Plans call for demolishing the former Perrone’s Barber Shop building at 103 Boston Turnpike and combining that parcel with nearby properties to create a larger redevelopment site for a roughly 2,800-square-foot bank with an ATM, parking, and stormwater improvements. Why it matters: This is a notable commercial redevelopment proposal on a high-traffic Route 9 corridor, and it could reshape a familiar property that had housed a longtime local business. Read More › Workbar Worcester is closing its downtown location Workbar is closing its Worcester coworking space at 530 Main Street. According to Patch, the downtown location shut down as the company shifts its focus to other locations, with Worcester members being given the option to relocate elsewhere in the Workbar network. Why it matters: For downtown workers, freelancers, and small teams, this is a meaningful change in Worcester’s shared-office landscape and another reminder of how commercial space needs are still shifting. Read More › Chipotle proposal moves through the process in Sutton A Chipotle restaurant proposal is now on the Sutton Planning Board agenda for 12 Pleasant Valley Road (Market 32 Plaza). Town materials for the April 6 meeting list the project under site plan and special permit review, with supporting documents including traffic, architectural, civil, and stormwater materials. Why it matters: It is a clear sign of continued commercial interest along Sutton’s busy Route 146 corridor and could bring another recognizable dining option to town if approved. Read More › | |  | Mark your calendars, Wormtown | Here's what's coming up in Wormtown and the suburbs. Trivia Night - Worcester Join us every Thursday from 6 to 9 PM for Trivia Night at BirchTree Bread Company. Great food, craft cocktails, local beer, and prizes for the top three teams. 📅 Thursdays, 6:00 to 9:00 PM 📍 BirchTree Bread Company, 138 Green Street, Worcester, MA 01604 Townwide Clean Up - Shrewsbury A volunteer cleanup event inviting families, friends, and community groups to help spruce up town spaces and build community pride. 📅 Saturday, April 18, 2026 - 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM 📍 Townwide / Shrewsbury, MA 01545 More Info › Coffee Cupping with Rob Fitzgibbon - Auburn A coffee-focused library event featuring Rob Fitzgibbon, with a chance to learn more about tasting and comparing different coffees. 📅 Saturday, April 18, 2026 - 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM 📍 Merriam Room, Auburn Public Library - 369 Southbridge Street, Auburn, MA 01501 More Info › HandCraft Bash: Pinch a Flower from Self-hardening Clay - Worcester A spring-themed family workshop where participants can get creative and make flowers from self-hardening clay. 📅 Saturday, April 18, 2026 - 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM 📍 Worcester Center for Crafts - 25 Sagamore Road, Worcester, MA 01605 More Info › Worcester History Deep-Dive: Mechanics Hall - Worcester A local history program taking a closer look at Mechanics Hall. It is a strong pick for Worcester history fans and anyone who enjoys learning more about one of the city’s landmark buildings 📅 Saturday, April 18, 2026 - 2:30 PM 📍 Worcester Public Library - 3 Salem Square, Worcester, MA 01608 More Info › Snap Crackle Pop PJs Party - Worcester A cozy pajama-themed library event with cartoons and laid-back fun. This one feels especially well suited for families looking for an easygoing daytime activity. 📅 Saturday, April 18, 2026 - 11:00 AM 📍 Worcester Public Library - 3 Salem Square, Worcester, MA 01608 More Info › Got an Event Coming Up? Whether it's a craft fair, a concert at your cousin's brewery, or a holiday lights display, share it here. | |  | Your next best friend is waiting |  Courtesy of WARL Meet Alfie Alfie is a 5 years old male Domestic Shorthair/Mix cat. Adoption Fee: $145 Alfie is one of those cats who wins hearts everywhere he goes. He spent some time being lovingly cared for as a stray, and his gentle, affectionate personality made it impossible not to fall for him. His finder adored him, but after learning he is FIV-positive, she made the difficult decision to surrender him so he could find the safest, happiest home possible. FIV doesn't stop Alfie from living a long, happy, love-filled life, it just means he should be the only cat in the home or live with another FIV-positive feline friend. He's perfectly fine with dogs and, of course, humans of all kinds. Alfie is a big, sweet, teddy-bear of a cat who wants nothing more than a cozy window perch, a warm lap, and someone who will adore him as much as he adores them. If you're looking for a loyal companion who will fill your home with calm, gentle affection, Alfie is your guy. Walk-In Adoption Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, 12 to 4 PM Can't make it? Complete our online adoption inquiry form and we'll arrange a meet and greet. Contact WARL: [email protected] or call (508) 853-0030 | |  | This week's best local stages | Fresh picks across Wormtown and the suburbs. Save these dates and support your local venues. Matt Brodeur - Chepachet, RI 📅 Thursday, April 16, 2026 - 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM 📍 Mr. Z’s By The Lake - 2400 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI 02814 Matt Brodeur acoustic opens the stretch with a Thursday evening set at Mr. Z’s By The Lake. Reverend Horton Heat - Worcester 📅 Thursday, April 16, 2026 - 8:00 PM 📍 Off The Rails Music Venue - 90 Commercial Street, Worcester, MA 01608 Rockabilly favorites Reverend Horton Heat are scheduled to hit Off The Rails for a Thursday night show in the Canal District. Tickets / Info › Russo Brothers Jazz Quintet - Worcester 📅 Friday, April 17, 2026 - 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM 📍 BirchTree Bread Company - 138 Green Street, Worcester, MA 01604 The Russo Brothers Jazz Quintet is booked for an early evening set at BirchTree Bread Company. It looks like a strong pick for readers who want a more relaxed Friday night with dinner, drinks, and live jazz. Tickets / Info › Electric Flannel - Worcester 📅 Friday, April 17, 2026 - 7:30 PM 📍 Off The Rails Music Venue - 90 Commercial Street, Worcester, MA 01608 Off The Rails has Electric Flannel on the calendar for Friday night, giving Worcester another full-band option this weekend. Tickets / Info › Matt Brodeur - Worcester 📅 Friday, April 17, 2026 - 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM 📍 Quinn’s Irish Pub - 715 West Boylston Street, Worcester, MA 01606 Local musician Matt Brodeur is scheduled for a Friday night set at Quinn’s Irish Pub. Tickets / Info › Troy Mercy Early Album Release Party - Worcester 📅 Saturday, April 18, 2026 - 7:00 PM 📍 WCUW Frontroom - 910 Main Street, Worcester, MA Troy Mercy returns to the WCUW Frontroom for an early hometown release party for his new album Let The Night Begin. WCUW says doors open at 6:30 PM and tickets are $20 cash or Venmo at the door. Tickets / Info › Matt Brodeur - Millbury 📅 Saturday, April 18, 2026 - 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM 📍 Spicy Water Distillery - 108 Elm Street, Millbury, MA 01527 Matt Brodeur is also scheduled for an early Saturday evening set at Spicy Water Distillery in Millbury. Tickets / Info › RioFlow with Carlos Odria - Worcester 📅 Sunday, April 19, 2026 - 5:00 PM 📍 WCUW Frontroom - 910 Main Street, Worcester, MA RioFlow with Carlos Odria is set for a Sunday evening show at the WCUW Frontroom. WCUW describes RioFlow as a Worcester-rooted instrumental trio blending Latin American grooves with improvisational flair. Doors open at 4:30 PM and admission is $15 cash or Venmo at the door. Tickets / Info › Magnolia Park - Worcester 📅 Sunday, April 19, 2026 - 7:30 PM 📍 The Palladium Upstairs - 261 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608 Magnolia Park is on the Palladium calendar for Sunday night as part of the Nights After VAMP Tour. This gives you a louder alternative to the smaller-room shows in this weekend. Tickets / Info › | Thank you, Wormtown Thanks for reading. If this issue helped you find a new favorite or skip a pothole, we did our job. Send us your hidden gems and events, and we'll keep the local love rolling. — Team Wormtown Weekly |
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