By Barbara M. Houle
Correspondent
Che! Empanada at 19 Kelley Square, Worcester, is a new place where you can find a little piece of Argentina.
Albie Alvarez-Cote of West Newton and Chef Roy Caceser of Concord, New Hampshire, opened the restaurant Jan. 6 with plans for a grand opening celebration sometime in late February. The business is located in the spot once occupied by Anthem Bagel Co.
Che! Empanada is a “dream come true” for Alvarez-Cote, who first started selling her handmade empanadas in Newton, hoping to open a storefront there. “I had a location but at the last minute the owner changed her mind about selling,” said Alvarez-Cote. “A friend knew that Roy wanted to open a restaurant and asked me if I wanted to meet him. We met and learned about the Worcester location.
A proposed lease agreement between the Worcester Red Sox and the City of Worcester commits the city to at least $15 million in infrastructure improvements around Polar Park in addition to the ballpark's roughly $157-million cost.
What’s new for Worcester in 2021? Revamped Main Street, updates to the Worcester Public Market, and the WooSox
Updated Jan 10, 2021;
The coronavirus pandemic slowed the momentum of the Worcester Renaissance in 2020 but didn’t fully silence it. Last year, the Worcester Public Market opened. Investment continued. Small business debuted in the face of the pandemic like Chashu Ramen and Izakaya, ‘Olo Pizza and K Sense Co.
As doses of the vaccine continue to arrive at Worcester’s two hospitals, hope for an even more prosperous 2021 exists within the city.
“I think 2021, now that we have vaccines coming out, we’re going to start seeing that resurgence and a little bit of juice and a spring in the step [of businesses],” Vice President of Development for the Menkiti Group Mark Rengel said. “I think things will slowly come back.”
In a press conference with city officials Thursday afternoon, development firm Boston Capital announced plans for a retail and housing development at the site of departing manufacturer Table Talk Pies next to the $132-million Polar Park public baseball stadium in Worcester s Canal District.
At the same event, Worcester developer Churchill James detailed plans for its previously announced bowling alley and residential building about two blocks away on Green Street.
The two projects combined investments are estimated to be nearly $100 million, according to the city. Without the investment of the ballpark, we probably would not have the level of investment discussed Thursday, City Manager Edward Augustus said at the press conference.
Table Talk Pies very close to completing deal with Boston Capital bizjournals.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bizjournals.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.