Peregrine Falcons Swoop Down
on Mercantile Center
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The Mercantile Rooftop Bar & Grill, a 500-seat two-story restaurant, is preparing for its grand opening Downtown. Muralist Sophy Tuttle has aptly painted a stoic peregrine falcon on the restaurant’s facade. Did you know Downtown has served as a peregrine falcon nesting site for decades? The rare birds are known to reach speeds of up to 200 mph. A new nesting box was recently installed at the peak of 120 Front Street. In addition to the new mural, Mercantile Center is also in the process of planting an “urban nursery” set for completion soon. |
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As part of a Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, celebration in Worcester, a new Marka27 mural was recently unveiled Downtown to commemorate the Latinx community members disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. In conjunction, the mixed-media sculpture “Recordando la Memoria” was created by Ecuadorian Worcester-based artists Jose Criollo and German Chiriboga and funded by the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. Both artworks were commissioned by a group of seven Latinx leaders in Worcester to amplify Latino culture and recognize the devastating impact the pandemic has had on the Latinx community in Worcester. Worcester City Hall will provide a temporary home for one year while the committee seeks a permanent location.
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On a lighter note, New York street artist Tom Bob made a recent pass through Worcester as a contributor to the 2021 POW! WOW! Worcester Festival, leaving behind a work he calls “Jack Hammer,” assembled from elements found on the building at 27 Federal Street. Hidden from street view, the artwork joins other POW! WOW! commissioned works in unexpected spaces for intrepid art lovers to discover. Tom Bob is known for reworking pipes, electrical boxes, and sewer grates into his quirky masterpieces. Read more about this street artist and his work around New York here.
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The Festival of Lights Returns to Downtown |
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The Festival of Lights is back in 2021 on December 3 at the Worcester Common Oval in Downtown Worcester. Past performers at the Festival of Lights have included big names like Sam James and Brynn Elliott. The Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) is proud to co-sponsor a special lighting installation on the Common with Tower Hill Botanical Garden. The BID also is working with Creative Hub Worcester to activate Downtown windows that will stay lit from December 3rd through the end of February. These storefront spectacles will feature colorful winter-themed displays with our LED snowflakes, crafted by Technocopia member Carlos Torres. |
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Skating Resumes at the
Worcester Common Oval
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Get ready to lace up your ice skates and hit the rink. Worcester Common Oval will open once again for the 2021-2022 season. Weather permitting, a soft opening is scheduled for Friday, November 26, from 1-6 p.m., and the weekend of November 27-28 from 1-6 p.m. For the remainder of the skating season through February 27, 2022, the hours of operation will be Fridays from 5-9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 1-6 p.m. The Oval will also be open for extended hours during school vacation weeks. Expect a special Hanukkah skating event on November 28, along with many other exciting skating events throughout the winter. |
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The Hanover Theater’s Beloved
Holiday Shows Return Live
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The Hanover Theater is proud to announce that its holiday lineup will be live following a year of virtual programming. This year’s in-person shows include The Nutcracker from November 26 to 28, Sarah Brightman: A Christmas Symphony on December 1, the 2021 Boston Pops Holiday Tour on December 3, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical on December 6, and A Christmas Carol from December 15 to 23. There’s nothing like a live production to get you into a festive holiday spirit! |
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During October, in-person events, delicious food options, and beautiful weather continued to draw people Downtown. Our Downtown Worcester Ambassadors' cleaning efforts and their hospitality consistently provided a welcoming environment. The Ambassadors gave directions to downtown visitors almost 530 times! To focus increased attention on disability awareness, etiquette, and accessibility, the Ambassadors attended a training session led by the Center for Living & Working. The crew also was busy removing leaves throughout the entire district and keeping up with the removal of 93 stickers from public property.
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Our BID team is proud to be in Downtown Worcester providing professional and approachable district management for all. |
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Our Executive Director, Evelyn, has an extensive background in economic and community development as well as nonprofit management. She joined the organization in April 2019, shortly after the BID was formed. Evelyn guides the BID’s growing staff and works with the Board of Directors to fulfill our organization’s mission of creating a vibrant, welcoming, and economically viable district for all stakeholders. She lives in Worcester with her husband Jean-Luc and cats Elvis and Cleo, and in her rare spare time, she supports her family’s business, Suzette Creperie & Café, and tries to squeeze in time to see live music and performance.
Andrew has been the Program Manager with the Downtown Worcester BID since he joined the team in 2020. He manages our clean and safe vendor as well as our snow removal operations. He also oversees our beautification and placemaking initiatives, including our flower program, seasonal lighting program, storefront art installations, and outdoor dining initiative, including the City's first raised outdoor dining "parklet" platform on Franklin Street. When he is not running around Downtown Worcester, he enjoys hiking, golfing, and running his mobile plant truck, Wild Roots, with his wife Sam.
Brittany joined the BID team in August of 2021 as the Office Manager and has quickly become an integral part of daily operations. In her new role, Brittany manages the BID’s finances and office needs. Before the BID, Brittany spent her professional career at the YMCA in various positions. Brittany currently lives in Rutland, MA, with her husband Tony, toddler Jack, and dog Addy. During her free time, she enjoys family adventures and traveling to her family vacation home on the coast of Wells, Maine, where she loves to read a good book.
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Save the Date:
December Community Meeting
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Join us virtually on Friday, December 10, from 9-10 a.m. when we feature Downtown Worcester’s makerspace Technocopia. Hear how Technocopia’s artisans transform plastic, wood, metal, and glass into PPP, robots, movie sets, household items, crafts, and more. Looking for unique holiday gifts? Tune in for ideas! Our monthly community meetings are free and open to all. |
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The focus of our Instagram page is to highlight the businesses and people of Downtown Worcester. Follow our page for our shop local/eat local series, community event announcements, did you know facts and Downtown history.
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