🪱 Greetings Central Massachusetts!
If you’re still finding snow in weird places (hello, the “mystery drift” by the front steps), you’re not imagining it—Worcester Airport clocked 22.4 inches from last weekend’s storm. And some of our neighboring towns piled it even higher.
Top 5 snowfall totals in our area: Leicester (24.8"), Worcester (22.4"), Holden (21.0"), Auburn (20.8"), and Grafton (20.5").
Did you have some crazy snow totals to deal with? Got pictures? If so send them my way (just reply to this email) and we just might feature them in an upcoming issue.
Now that we’ve dug out (mostly), let’s get into what’s happening around Wormtown this week. 🪱
New Poll Opportunity!
As always I’m looking for more ways to bring value to you. So the next couple of polls will focus on what else might be helpful and of interest. Here’s the first one:
Would you use local deals/coupons if we included them?
Local Business & Community Buzz
Avvio Ristorante Announced for Millbury (Summer 2026)
Millbury • Planned opening Summer 2026
Newport Restaurant Group says it’s bringing Avvio Ristorante to The Shops at Blackstone Valley, with a full-service Italian-American menu and a sizable dining footprint planned for the new space.
Chick-fil-A Preparing to Open Second Worcester Location
Worcester • Expected February 2026
A new Chick-fil-A is slated for 99 Stafford Street (former Walgreens), with licensing approvals moving forward and a February opening window reported.
Lalo’s Mexican Restaurant Plans a Southborough Location
Southborough • In the works
A longtime Marlborough favorite is working toward opening a new spot in Southborough, with town approvals underway to support the expansion.
Mito Japanese Restaurant Is Open in Rutland
Rutland • Now open
Rutland has a new Japanese restaurant on Main Street. A local write-up includes details on the opening and broader context around downtown business chatter.
Wachusett Area Chamber Business Grant Program Applications Open
Wachusett Area towns • Deadline Feb. 7, 2026
If you run a small business in the Wachusett area, the Chamber’s member grant program is accepting applications, with a February deadline.
Ripple Fiber Says Service Is Live in Holden (Worcester County Buildout Continues)
Holden / West Boylston • Ongoing
Ripple Fiber announced service availability in parts of Holden, with construction continuing as the network expands across the area.
Shrewsbury’s Economic Development Plan Hub (For Business + Growth Updates)
Shrewsbury • Ongoing
Shrewsbury’s Economic Development Plan page is a useful bookmark if you like tracking corridor improvements, business climate changes, and what might be coming next.
Holden Days 2026: Vendor & Sponsor Applications Open
Holden • Event Aug. 22, 2026
Local makers, food vendors, and businesses can apply now to participate in Holden Days on Main Street. Sponsorship options are also posted for anyone looking for a big hometown visibility play.
🪚 Local Business Spotlight:
John Phelan, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Local Business Spotlight:
KP’s Restaurant & Catering (Sutton)
All-day breakfast classics + homestyle meals (and easy catering)
KP’s is a neighborhood go-to in Sutton for breakfast plates, pancakes/French toast, and homestyle favorites—plus pickup or delivery catering for events. Read More
Contact: 10 Providence Rd, Sutton, MA 01590 • (508) 865-1328 • [email protected]
Hours: Mon–Fri 7:00 AM–2:00 PM • Sat 7:00 AM–1:30 PM • Sun 7:00 AM–1:00 PM
Catering note: Catering is available with advance notice, with pickup or delivery options for events.
Why we like it: Big “classic diner comfort” energy, made-to-order plates, and a catering menu that’s actually practical (breakfast buffets, sandwich/wrap bars, and family-style meals) when you need to feed a crowd without the stress.
What folks are saying:
“Delicious strawberry cheesecake French toast… Great service and reasonable prices.”
- Mindy S. - Upton MA
“Service is friendly and fast… the menu is diverse… love their country scramble and breakfast burrito.”
- Jeffery O. - Worcester, MA
Bottom line is - If you haven't tried KP's in Sutton yet, what are you waiting for!?
Upcoming Local Events
Graphic Novel Book Club
Northborough • Wed, Feb 4, 2026 (6:30–7:30 PM)
A kid-friendly book club night focused on graphic novels at the Northborough Free Library.
Art Club (Grades 3–5)
Northborough • Tue, Feb 10, 2026 (6:30–7:30 PM)
A hands-on monthly art program with rotating materials and artist-inspired projects at the library.
HandCraft Bash: Weave a Coaster
Worcester • Sat, Feb 7, 2026 (11:00 AM–2:00 PM)
A free, no-registration community craft event at the Worcester Center for Crafts—drop in and learn to weave a coaster.
Chamber Chat (Coffee + Conversation)
Holden • Thu, Feb 12, 2026 (10:00–11:00 AM)
A casual, free networking hour hosted by the Wachusett Area Chamber at Sweets & Java.
Night to Shine
Holden • Fri, Feb 13, 2026
A special-event prom night experience hosted at Holden Chapel (arrival/check-in window listed on the event page).
Public Pitch Party (Holden Grange #78)
Holden • Sat, Feb 14, 2026 (6:30 PM)
A community Grange event night (posted on the Holden Grange #78 upcoming events list; meeting location info is on their main page).
Lunar New Year at the EcoTarium
Worcester • Sun, Feb 15, 2026 (10:00 AM–5:00 PM)
A Lunar New Year celebration with special programming and activities (event listing includes the on-site address and schedule).
Public Health Nurse - Open Hour
Shrewsbury • Mon, Feb 23, 2026 (9:00–10:00 AM)
Drop-in hour to speak with the Regional Public Health Nurse (listed as free; hosted at the Shrewsbury Senior Center).
📣 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 WARL
Meet Buddy
Buddy is a 10 year old male Domestic Shorthair/Mix cat.
Meet our sweetest boy, Buddy!
This resilient little guy has been through some ruff times. He spent most of his life living outdoors, cared for as best as possible by a kind neighbor. Recently, his owner made the compassionate decision to surrender him so he could finally have the safe, warm home he deserves.
When Buddy arrived, our vet team immediately noticed that his eyes were in very poor condition. He was diagnosed with Microphthalmia, a congenital condition where the eyes never fully develop. His eyes were extremely small and causing him significant discomfort. To give him a pain-free life, the best option was to remove them, and Buddy has been feeling so much better ever since.
Buddy has also tested positive for Feline HIV (FIV). Cats with FIV can live long, happy lives, but they should be adopted into a home with no other cats or with other FIV-positive cats. FIV can be transmitted to other cats through deep bites or scratches, so a compatible home is important for everyone's safety and comfort.
Buddy knows how to use his litter box, just introduce it to him. He may have an accident peeing outside the box until he is adjusted to his surroundings and has an easy place where he can get to the litterbox easily. PATIENCE - He is blind and came from an outside environment. He does great once he's settled.
A place with no stairs would be ideal for Buddy but not necessary if he's watched. Might be best to put him to bed in a room with the door shut so he doesn't wander. Also, when your away with no one to watch him.
Buddy seems good with other adult cats, dogs would be too much for him, older children, that would care for him.
If you're ready to give Buddy the loving home he's been waiting for, we'd love to meet you.
Walk-in adoption hours:
Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays - 12:00-4:00 PM
Can't make those times? No problem. Just fill out the Adoption Inquiry Form on our website under the FORMS tab, and we'll happily schedule a meet-and-greet at your convenience.
Buddy is ready for his next chapter - maybe it's with you.
Live Music
Matt Brodeur at Oxford’s Casual Dining
Oxford • Thu, Jan 29 • 6:00–9:00 PM
Solo acoustic set for dinner and drinks—classic rock favorites and easy-going vibes to kick off the weekend early.
Malodies Karaoke with Mal E. Fishn’t at Electric Haze
Worcester • Thu, Jan 29 • Late night
A high-energy karaoke night at Electric Haze—doors at 9:30 PM and karaoke runs from 10 PM until last call (21+, small cover).
Nunc Pro Funk at BirchTree Bread Company
Worcester • Fri, Jan 30 • 6:00–9:00 PM
Kick off your weekend with Friday night live music at BirchTree—cozy vibes, craft cocktails, local beer, and scratch-made food (pizza, salads, sandwiches and more).
Matt Brodeur at Ken’s Steak House
Framingham • Fri, Jan 30 • 7:00–10:00 PM
Dinner-and-a-show night with Matt’s solo acoustic set—classic rock from the ’60s through the 2000s (great excuse for steak + tunes).
Infinite Alien (with Disqualifier, Shortwave & Queer Bait) at The Palladium Upstairs
Worcester • Fri, Jan 30 • 7:00 PM
A stacked local-heavy bill upstairs at the Palladium—come early and catch the openers.
Matt Brodeur at Spicy Water Distillery
Millbury • Sat, Jan 31 • 6:00–9:00 PM
Cocktail-lounge acoustics at Spicy Water—grab a drink, bring food from a nearby spot, and settle in for a laid-back set.
Left To Suffer (with Your Spirit Dies, Fr3ak & The Last Ten Seconds of Life) at The Palladium Upstairs
Worcester • Sat, Jan 31 • Doors 6:00 • Show 7:00 PM
Heavy night upstairs—multiple bands, big energy, and a packed room guaranteed.
One Dime Band LIVE in the FrontRoom at WCUW
Worcester • Sat, Jan 31 • Doors 6:30 • Show 7:00 PM
Award-winning blues/R&B/soul band (acoustic roots, electric punch) with a strong New England pedigree—Boston Blues Society challenge winners and International Blues Challenge vets. Tickets are $15 (cash or Venmo) at the door. The FrontRoom at WCUW is at 910 Main St with parking across the street in the Clark U lot; light refreshments served, and Fantastic Pizza/Grub Guru is next door if you want to grab food.
Almost Queen: A Tribute to Queen
Worcester • Sat, Jan 31 • 7:30 PM
Big singalong energy at The Hanover—hit after hit, full tribute production, and a room full of Queen fans.
That’s a wrap for this week’s Wormtown Weekly. Thanks for reading, sharing, and keeping it local—even when your driveway is basically a full-time job.
Quick reminder: there’s another storm lining up for this weekend, so bundle up, keep the snow shovels within arm’s reach, and maybe do a quick “where are my gloves?” inventory before it’s too late. (We’ve all been there.)
If you find a new favorite spot or hear about something happening in your town, hit reply and tell us—Wormtown Weekly is way better with you in it.
Until next week, stay warm, dodge the slush puddles, and keep that Wormtown moxie strong. 🪱
— The Wormtown Weekly crew
PS. Do you know a business or individual that could use a shoutout? Let me know here! [email protected]
