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Progress for Nonna’s, Steam, and Railer’s Tavern

A peek inside Nonna's Kitchen (submitted photo)

In February, we were able to first introduce the new Niche Hospitality concept coming to the Canal District: Nonna’s Kitchen. Since then, we’ve been eagerly watching the construction of the Worcester Ice Center in anticipation of the opening of both Nonna’s Kitchen and STEAM (a café-style eatery located within the Ice Center with a focus on healthy grain bowls,  smoothies, and more). Progress has been made and it appears they are still on schedule for a mid-October opening (November 1 at the latest).

Railer’s Tavern (the property that was home to failed bars like Chaser’s, BarFX, and Fifth Amendment), however has been quickly renovating and updating the space to provide a place for hockey fans to pregame and watch away games while enjoying a beer and pub style food. Railer’s Tavern is still slated for an early October opening.

As always, we’re looking forward to the new Niche projects in conjunction with Cliff Rucker and the Ice Center.

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Fast Casual Worcester

Birchtree’s Pick-Me-Up Pair

Welcome to the world of ‘fast casual’ dining where you can enjoy high quality dishes made with fresh ingredients even if you’re under a time crunch. As downtown Worcester transforms into a bustling residential neighborhood, plenty of fast casual options are cropping up.

Take, for example, Techni Mediterranean GrillThe Grid’s spot for falafel, grape leaves, and gyros. Diners can spice things up with tahini, tzatziki, harissa, or cilantro sauce. Guests can order a wrap or bowl on the go, or enjoy their lunch at Techni and its sister cafe, Brew on The Grid. Techni is only the beginning of The Grid’s fast casual empire. In the very near future, The Grid has plans to open a ramen spot called Sticks, Pie & Pint for slices, and a beer garden that will serve pretzels and sausages.

Niche Hospitality Group’s newest venture, Nonna’s Pizza and Pasta, will also embrace a ‘fast casual’ concept driven by the development of the Worcester Ice Center. Customers will be able to order Italian fare in a low stakes environment with high end ambience. Nonna’s will appeal to large groups and offer a beverage program that will set it apart from other grab-and-go options.

It should be noted that BirchTree Bread Company, open since 2014, has thrived in the fast casual market for years. BirchTree’s warm counter service, local ingredients, and enticing ambience define the fast casual genre. Visitors enjoy hassle free pastries, sandwiches, and pizzas that are more reasonably priced than a full service restaurant. With that, the promise of swift service attracts shoppers from on site retailers like Canal District Farmers Market, Crompton Collective, and Seed to Stem.