The Worcester Public Market and Wachusett Brewing Company have signed an agreement to establish a Wachusett tap room in the anchor space of the market, fronting directly on Kelley Square.
“This fits our concept perfectly,” commented Allen W. Fletcher, president of the market: “We could not be more delighted.”
“We’ve always considered Worcester our home city since our first delivery there in 1994” said Christian McMahan, Wachusett Brewing Company President. “We love the concept of the Public Market and look forward to being a big part of the community moving forward.” McMahan concluded.
The Worcester Public Market will occupy the ground floor of Harding Green, a new, four story building being constructed at the junction of Harding and Green streets in Worcester’s resurgent Canal District. Fletcher and Raymond Quinlan are the principles of Canal District Partners, the developer. The building will also house Kelley Square Lofts, composed of 48 units of market rate apartments, served by a 72 space parking area.
Wachusett Brewing Company was named the 43rd largest craft brewer in the US in 2018. It produces its popular Blueberry Ale as well as other favorites as Green Monsta and Wally New England IPA. In recent years it has diversified its portfolio with brands such as Nauti Hard Seltzer and its newest introduction Fifty Trees Hard Cider.
The new tap room will sit on the edge of a new plaza fronting Kelley Square, providing a direct southern entrance to the market. It will occupy approximately 3,000 square feet and serve the food court of the market as well as offering outside seating on the plaza. The building itself abuts the Crompton Building – home of the popular Birch Tree Bread Company, the Crompton Collective and other businesses – and sits two blocks from the soon-to-be-built Worcester Red Sox stadium.
The market will be a multi-vendor, food-oriented market in the European tradition, featuring a wide variety of retail food establishments. Fresh produce, pasta, seafood, deli goods, bakery items, ice cream and a wide variety of ethnic foods will all be represented there. A grand opening is scheduled for the early fall.