The culinary universe in the Heart of the Commonwealth is constantly expanding, and when places like Queen’s Cups look to open in the city, it reaffirms the momentum from 2016—with the introduction of new favorites such as deadhorse hill, Lock 50, Bull Mansion, Figs & Pigs, Brew on the Grid, British Beer Company and more—doesn’t appear to be slowing down.
Having signed a lease last week, work is already underway to transform the vacant Bucky’s Building on Water Street (right next door to Lock 50) into something sweet—a new home for Millbury’s Queen’s Cups. “Moving to the Canal District is a dream I’ve had for years now,” says Renee King, owner of Queens Cups. “The businesses are booming; the atmosphere is friendly and the growth is going to continue.” Queen’s Cups originally opened in 2012 but has since outgrown its Millbury location having tripled their sales and reached over eleven thousand followers on Instagram, making this move a major component to their continued success. “There is a need for dessert in the Canal District and we want to turn into a destination for desserts at night. I loved Café Dolce and I feel that there is a need for something similar in the city again,” says King. The new location is expected to open this summer.
While Queen’s Cups is setting up a sweet future in the Canal District, Alicia’s Homemade will be creating a whole new future for the Plantation Street neighborhood. “Our new space on 12 Aitchison Street is going to offer up a little bit of everything and really embrace the homemade style,” says Alicia Haddad, co-owner of Alicia’s Homemade. Over the last five months, Haddad and partner, Jon Dahl have implemented a master plan to stir up some homemade love for a neighborhood in need of a local shop. “Everything we are selling will be part of the shop small concept. We will have granola and coffee from local sellers, alongside brands like Elk Creek Maple Syrup and of course, Alicia’s Homemade,” says Haddad. “We are in a great space and can’t wait to open the doors at the end of February.” In the space previously occupied by the Fourth & One Club, Alicia’s Homemade is looking to make waves in 2017 and remind everyone what Worcester has to offer.
Having opened the same day that Queen’s Cup officially purchased their space, the Pie Store—the retail outlet for Worcester’s Table Talk Pie—opened after months of renovations to their Green Street space. The space offers a spot for beverages and, of course, pie. Overlooking Crompton Collection, the Pie Store offers a glimpse into Table Talk Pie’s history as well as offering their first grab and go retail service.
Worcester’s evolving food hub is creating exciting change throughout Central Massachusetts, so it’s no surprise that Chef Bill Nemeroff, recently the culinary director and chef at The International, is boldly moving to B.T.’s Smokehouse to work with owner Brian Treitman. “It has been a dream of ours to work together for years, as we are good friends and the time just seemed to be right,” says Chef Nemeroff. “Now we will push each other to challenge ourselves every day.” Just when we thought B.T.’s Smokehouse couldn’t get any better, they add Chef Nemeroff to the equation and we hear expansion may be in the future.
With Chef Nemeroff putting his culinary skills to the ultimate BBQ test, Table Talk Pie’s opening the Pie Store, Alicia’s Homemade creating a new home for herself and Queen’s Cups moving to the Canal District, we can only imagine what more will come of the Culinary Capital of New England in 2017!