Tag: Worcester Public Market

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Wachusett Brewing Company To Open Tap Room At Worcester Public Market Fronting Directly on Kelley Square

Worcester Public Market (Submitted)

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.

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Kelley Square Market, Harding Green, Adds To Canal District’s Restaurant Growth

Construction at Kelley Square's Harding Green market in Worcester, MA
Breaking ground on May 7th, the Kelley Square Market will embrace community. Pictured are the site plans for the project.
Having broken ground on May 7th, the Kelley Square Market will embrace community. Pictured are the site plans for the project.

The culinary footprint of the Canal District continues to expand. Within a year, the Canal has welcomed Table Talk Pies, the Queen’s Cups, Kummerspeck and Broth with the intent of progressing the city’s momentum of becoming the culinary capital of Central Massachusetts and so far, the Canal is holding true to its mission. With only five months into the new year, the Canal continues to promise an array of culinary goodies with the addition of three restaurants and a public market.

Allen Fletcher after speaking with Mass Foodies before ground breaking of the Kelley Square Market
Allen Fletcher after speaking with Mass Foodies before ground breaking of the Kelley Square Market

Having broken ground on May 7th, the Kelley Square market project – the latest project by businessman Allen Fletcher – marked the beginning of construction of an 80,000 square foot public market and apartment community called Harding Green. With a vibrant enthusiasm for the Canal District and its consistent growth, Fletcher’s Kelley Square Market will house 30 to 40 vendors, with a focus on unique ethnic street foods, fish-mongers, cheese-makers and seasonal markets. In addition to the 30 to 40 vendors, the market will be home to the Kelley Square Diner – a homage to Worcester’s love affair of diners. “I’ve visited a wide range of markets across the country and some markets are doing great things, while others are slowly closing down and I believe that speaks to the markets’ inabilities to cater to the local community,” said Fletcher. “To solve that, the Kelley Square Market will focus on community, the local diversity and embrace human interaction with ethnic street foods, live music and a central seating area under the skylights for dining. I believe this public market can provide a specific a unique experience for the locals but also create a new destination for those visiting from outside of the city.”

While the Kelley Square Market is at the beginning stages of construction, Buck’s Whiskey & Burger Bar wrapped up construction and officially opened its doors last week. Serving up a country theme with Chef John Gremo, Buck’s Whiskey & Burger Bar pays tribute to the owner, Nick Panarelli’s inspiration, The Goat Bar & Grill in Hampton, NH. “From roasted red pepper corn chowder to the open-faced steak tip sandwich, we want to bring something a little different to the Canal District,” said Panarelli. “This area has turned around and it has become the new ‘place to be’ and I believe, it will become the new Shrewsbury Street. With the Railers and the central location, the Canal is hands down the new location for foodies.” With Chef Gremo’s years of experience in the culinary industry – launching successful restaurant concepts in MGM Vegas and appearing on the Food Network (Oh, did we mention Chef Gremo went to high school with Guy Fieri and they are still good friends?) – and Panarelli’s lifetime family history in the restaurant industry (the Panarelli family has owned and operated delis, catering businesses and the Lakeside Bar and Grill in Shrewsbury) we think Buck’s is off to good start and with a motto like “Whiskey Wednesdays: It’s like Taco Tuesdays but for Badasses” there is no doubt, Buck’s Whiskey & Burger Bar will make a great addition to the Canal District.

In addition to Buck’s, the Canal District is set to be home to two additional restaurants: Pho Deli – a Vietnamese restaurant with authentic cuisine and the more popularized Pho dish – and Maddi’s Cookery & Taphouse – an American pub-style restaurant specializing in craft beer. Both restaurants are set to open this year and we hope it’s sooner than later.