What John Giangregorio describes as “the most congested, exciting, vibrant section of the city” after 9:00 o’clock on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings now has a walking map to direct locals and visitors alike to music, food, drink and “good times.”
The glossy, full-color, tri-folded brochure was funded and developed by the Canal District Alliance Inc. from monies generated by Canalfest (the 2010 version of which is coming up September 11). Giangregorio, owner of Three G’s Sportsbar on Millbury St. and president of the Canal District Business Association, said that Allen Fletcher spearheaded the effort with financial support from Canal District enterprises. Thirty Canal District businesses are represented with ads in the brochure; most but not all are either bars, lounges or restaurants—reflecting the type of atmosphere that is drawing people to the Canal District in droves, late-week nights.
As evidence that interest in the Canal District is sky-high for other reasons as well, however, Giangregorio points to historical wagon tours taking place Thursdays—with colorful Bob Largess of The Hotel Vernon in the driver’s seat. “People have a great appetite for the history of the Canal and Worcester,” Giangregorio said. “Eighty people lined up for the wagon tours last Thursday,” necessitating the addition of an extra run to accommodate demand. The walking map, 5,000 copies of which are available at hotels, through the Central Massachusetts Convention & Visitors Bureau, in the Canal District itself, elsewhere in the city and in the Blackstone Valley, is fueling this hunger (the walking map contains a summary of the evolution of the Canal).
The walking map is being grabbed “wherever (individuals) can get them. Folks are scooping them up,” Giangregorio said.
With “Streetscape” improvements looming, Canalfest (September 11) and a Snail’s Pace car race (September 12) just around the corner, the introduction of venues like The Perfect Game and the Chevalier Furniture building earmarked for conversion to housing, the Canal District has much to celebrate.
Annette Gonzalez of Salsa Storm, a dance studio on Harrison St., says, of the walking map, “it’s great.” Gonzalez praised the Alliance’s work on the map, and the continuing efforts of Giangregorio, Mike Covino of Niche Hospitality Group (Bocado, Citizen, and Mezcal) and Seth Derderian of Joseph’s Lock & Safe in pulling merchant members of the CDBA together. Of Giangregorio, Covino and Derderian, she said their attitude is “this is what we must do. Let’s do it!”
Gonzalez, Dorrie Maynard of Blackstone Vignettes (a jewelry and gift store), Dave Papazian of Dzian Art Gallery, Leah Long of Alexis Grace (a consignment boutique) and other shopkeepers would love to see more retail in the Canal District to complement the nightlife.
Long’s attractively appointed shop draws a mix of professionals and seniors, some of whom walk in wearing sneakers.
Giangregorio wants more retail too. “We’re cheering for Dino and Robin LoRusso’s efforts at Crompton Place and the involvement of the Worcester Artist Group,” he said. “We are reaching out to this group to talk about strategies for success, such as integrating retail into Canalfest, events orienting returning college students to Canal District retailers, group advertising and promotion through our website. The bottom line is the market and the operators. That ultimately will decide success.”
Dan Gold of Good as Gold Coffee owns one of the older businesses in the district, in its spot on Green St. since 1983. Gold services a “very diverse base of customers including restaurants, specialty shops, caterers and others” with an ever-expanding array of products which now include not only coffee but specialty teas, cocoa, frozen coffee, gourmet crumb and pound cakes and smoothies.
The progress now occurring in the Canal District is heartening, he said.
“I’ve always believed in this area. This whole area was developed by independent business people and that’s still the case. I’d like to see more specialty shops and boutiques. I want to continue to grow and to stay right here,” Gold said.
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