 YOUR LOCAL WORCESTER DIGEST | Greetings Friends, Thanks for being here for another edition of Wormtown Weekly. This week’s issue leans into one of the best parts of spring in Central Massachusetts: that moment when the gray finally gives way to fuller calendars, busier sidewalks, and a lot more reasons to get out of the house. We’ve rounded up a mix of bigger community events, local live music, and a standout business spotlight that felt too good not to share. Whether you’re looking to make weekend plans, support something local, or just see what’s happening around Worcester and the surrounding towns, this issue has a little momentum behind it. | In This Week's Issue: - Art On The Line this week
- Restore Store giant sale
- New restaurant openings
- Singles Mixer at Birchtree Bread
| |  | What's moving and shaking in Worcester County | Worcester startup scene gets a boost with new downtown materials science lab A new Flexcon Lab at Auxilium is planned for 311 Main Street in Worcester, adding 3,000 square feet of materials-science lab space for startups. The project is expected to open this summer and is designed to give early-stage companies access to specialized equipment, technical expertise, and room to test ideas closer to commercial scale. Why it matters: This is the kind of behind-the-scenes growth story that can help Worcester attract founders, researchers, and new business activity while strengthening the city’s innovation economy. Read More › UMass Memorial buys Worcester Business Center for $14 million UMass Memorial Health has purchased the Worcester Business Center at 67 Millbrook Street for $14 million. The health system said some administrative employees are already based there and that it is evaluating opportunities to move additional staff into the building, which offers about 260,000 square feet of office space. Why it matters: A major property sale like this signals continued institutional investment in Worcester and could reshape how one of the region’s biggest employers uses office space in the city. Read More › New halal Chinese restaurant opens in Shrewsbury Wok & Flame has opened at 378 Maple Avenue in Shrewsbury. The new restaurant blends Chinese cuisine with halal-certified preparation and joins the growing food lineup at Marketplace Shrewsbury. The owners have said they hope to build the concept into a franchise. Why it matters: New restaurant openings are always strong newsletter material, and this one stands out because it adds a distinct dining option while reinforcing Marketplace Shrewsbury’s momentum as a food destination. Read More › Root and Press opens new Auburn café inside Lundgren Honda Root and Press has launched its Auburn location at 163 Washington Street inside Lundgren Honda. The business describes it as a workspace café with seating, a conference room, and a kids’ room, and its official social posts said the Auburn spot is now open for business. Why it matters: This is a fun, unexpected local-business expansion story: a Worcester favorite opening a second outpost in Auburn with a concept built around work, meetings, and grab-and-go coffee traffic. Read More › Creative Hub Worcester opens in restored historic Boys Club building Creative Hub Worcester has opened at 2 Ionic Avenue inside the former Worcester Boys Club building. The 30,000-square-foot redevelopment creates studio and event space for artists, and the project is also expected to provide more than 80 fully subsidized toddler and preschool childcare slots for Worcester families. Why it matters: his is more than an arts story. It is a neighborhood reinvestment story that blends creative space, family support, and reuse of a long-vacant historic building. 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 Animal Adventures - Shrewsbury A family-friendly animal program featuring live animals including a chinchilla and a blue tongue skink, with stories and close-up viewing. Registration required. 📅 April 23, 2026 - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM 📍 Shrewsbury Public Library, Meeting Rooms A & B - 609 Main Street, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 More Info › Mind Tricks: The Magic of Neuroscience - Millbury A science-focused children’s program at Millbury Public Library exploring how the brain works through interactive activities. 📅 April 23, 2026 - 3:00 PM 📍 Millbury Public Library - 128 Elm Street, Millbury, MA 01527 More Info › Shen Yun - Worcester Shen Yun returns to Worcester for multiple performances over the weekend at The Hanover Theatre. 📅 April 25, 2026 - 1:30 PM and 7:00 PM; April 26, 2026 - 1:30 PM 📍 The Hanover Theatre - 2 Southbridge Street, Worcester, MA 01608 More Info › Art On The Line - Worcester ArtsWorcester’s annual art sale fundraiser returns with small-scale, two-dimensional works donated by artists and displayed hanging from the ceiling with clothespins. It is a fun, browse-and-buy style event that supports the local arts community. Tickets are $15. 📅 April 25, 2026 - 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM 📍 ArtsWorcester, 44 Portland Street, Worcester, MA 01608 More Info › Worcester ReStore Spring Fling - Worcester Worcester ReStore is hosting its Spring Fling sale with 50% off storewide. This much anticipated event is a s a good stop for bargain hunters looking for furniture, home goods, and DIY finds. 📅 April 25, 2026 - 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM 📍 Worcester ReStore, 640 Lincoln Street, Worcester, MA 01605 More Info › Historic & Architectural Tour - Worcester A behind-the-scenes walking tour covering the history and architecture of The Hanover Theatre. 📅 April 30, 2026 - 12:00 PM 📍 The Hanover Theatre - 2 Southbridge Street, 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 |  Courtesty of WARL Meet Artemis Artemis is a 5 years, 1 month old female Terrier/Mix who weighs 11 pounds. Adoption Fee: Please inquire Artemis is a sensitive terrier/poodle mix who is learning that the world can be a safe and gentle place. She arrived at the shelter as a stray in need of care for her skin, and while she is feeling much better now, she is still rocking a bit of a silly haircut that only adds to her charm. Artemis can be very shy at first and may bark when meeting new people. She does best with those who give her space and allow her to approach on her own terms. Once she feels safe, her sweet and thoughtful personality begins to shine.
She is looking for a quiet, adult only home that will appreciate her for who she is and continue to build her confidence. Artemis may enjoy living with another calm dog. She will need regular grooming and may require ongoing allergy medication to keep her comfortable. 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. Scott Brown and the Diplomats - Worcester 📅 April 24, 2026 - 6:00 PM 📍 Off The Rails, 90 Commercial Street, Worcester, MA 01608 Scott Brown and the Diplomats return to Off The Rails for a free-admission rock show in downtown Worcester. Tickets / Info › Troy Ramey - Worcester 📅 April 24, 2026 - 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM 📍 BrickBox Theater at JMAC, 20 Franklin Street, Worcester, MA 01608 Troy Ramey is scheduled for a sold-out live show at JMAC’s BrickBox Theater on Friday night. Tickets / Info › Jay Webb: Bury Me With Bourbon Tour - Worcester 📅 April 24, 2026 - 8:00 PM 📍 The Palladium Upstairs, 261 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608 Country artist Jay Webb brings his Bury Me With Bourbon Tour to The Palladium Upstairs with Shaylen on the bill. Tickets / Info › Frederick: Cantata on the Life of Frederick Douglass - Worcester 📅 April 25, 2026 - 8:00 PM 📍 Mechanics Hall, 321 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608 Music Worcester presents this world premiere work featuring The Worcester Chorus, Clark University Choir, NERO, Markel Reed, and Cailin Marcel Manson. Tickets / Info › Jazz Streams LIVE in the FrontRoom at WCUW - Worcester 📅 April 26, 2026 - 6:00 PM 📍 WCUW FrontRoom, 910 Main Street, Worcester, MA Jazz Streams brings Rich Ardizzone, Rich Falco, Jerry Wilfong, and Bill MacGillivray to the WCUW FrontRoom. Doors open at 5:30 PM and tickets are $20 cash at the door. Tickets / Info › Melrose Avenue - Worcester 📅 April 26, 2026 - 7:30 PM 📍 The Palladium Upstairs, 261 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608 Australian pop-metalcore band Melrose Avenue hits Worcester with Autumn Kings and Stray View also listed in the event lineup. Tickets / Info › Barron Ryan: Classic Meets Cool - Worcester 📅 April 29, 2026 - 7:00 PM 📍 Mechanics Hall, 321 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608 Award-winning pianist Barron Ryan brings a genre-blending performance to Mechanics Hall, paired with a Youth Art Showcase and Auction. Tickets / Info › The Decibel Magazine Tour 2026 - Worcester 📅 April 30, 2026 - 7:00 PM 📍 The Palladium Upstairs, 261 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01608 The Decibel Magazine Tour stops in Worcester with Cryptopsy, Necrot, Fulci, and Blood Monolith. Tickets / Info › | |  | A local gem worth knowing |  Top Dog Hearth - Worcester Based out of Worcester and serving Central Massachusetts Top Dog Hearth is a Worcester-based hearth service company specializing in pellet, wood, and gas fireplace and stove maintenance, repair, and installation. The company serves Central Massachusetts and brings more than 20 years of industry experience to the work. Customer testimonials on its site consistently highlight prompt communication, thorough service, and clear explanations, with multiple reviewers praising owner Jim Davis for being knowledgeable, dependable, and easy to work with.
Contact InfoPhone: 860-207-3237Email: [email protected] Why we love it: I normally focus on promoting restaurants, but this company deserves a shoutout. I recently had a chance to use them and they were fantastic! Prompt, knowledgeable, local, and best of all, animal lovers. That last part fits the company’s own personality too, with Top Dog saying love for animals is part of the business’s core identity. Location: They come to you! Parking: | 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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