Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | October 1, 2018 | Worcester Business Journal 15 square feet bigger than the Greek eatery's current space where it is below three stories of apartments. It'll take about two months to reno- vate the space, and the restaurant will stay open in its current location up until it opens the doors to the new space, Georgiadis said. "We want to make it look like the restaurants in Greece," he said. With only two unfinished two-bed- room apartments above the vacant restaurant space, Georgiadis hopes to eventually offer live music at the new location. According to Georgiadis, Meze was one of seven bidders for the space. More than 20 different entities scoped out the place, he said. At least one of them was the team be- hind Main Street restaurant deadhorse hill. Chef Jared Forman said the asking price was too steep for the team to make an offer. On the past legal problems at the location, Georgiadis said he hopes to eliminate the cloud hanging over the restaurant and Shrewsbury Street restaurant scene. "It really stinks when you have someone like that go and screw up the reputation for what restaurants are," he said. "We just try to provide a hospita- ble dining experience." Blackstone Tap owner returns e former owner of the Blackstone Tap building in Worcester now owns the sports bar again more than two years aer selling the property to Perry for $420,000. Jefferson Mararian, a Northborough businessman who had owned the 81 Water St. property since 2004, was essentially given the property by the U.S. government to satisfy debts owed to him by Perry. Mararian told WBJ via email he hopes to renovate the building to open a new business under a new name. According to U.S. District Court fil- ings, Mararian in 2016 agreed to sell the business to Perry via a $200,000 prom- issory note and a mortgage recorded in the Worcester County Registry of Deeds to secure Perry's payments. Perry paid another $420,000 for the property, land records show. Perry made timely payments on the agreement until November 2017. Now, he owes more than $171,000. On Aug. 31, the government agreed to release the property and assets of the restaurant to Mararian for $9,000 provid- ed that he pick up the Bay State Savings Bank mortgage granted to Perry in 2016. Mararian said he envisions a new concept for the spot, but did not pro- vide details. "While I renovate, I am also open to other ideas for the space that could fit nicely into the neighborhood," he said. "Besides that, I look forward to being back on Water Street and part of all the great things going on in the Canal District and the City of Worcester." W T H E F O O D & D R I N K I S S U E F O C U S Notre Dame Health Care's 2018 Educational Forum Advanced registration required Contact Paige ayer For tickets & sponsorship opportunities pthayer@notredamehealthcare.org 508-852-5800, x2509 • notredamehealthcare.org Opening speaker: Robert Rivest— "Learn, Laugh and Let Go" Feature/Keynote speaker: Denise Medved— "Changing Your Brain Can Be As Simple as Child's Play (Ageless Grace)" music, LAUGHTER & Movement... Your Roadmap to Healthy Living Wednesday, November 14, 2018 5:30pm to 8:30pm Reception with hors d'oeuvres, raffles, cash bar; followed by program At e College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA Presented by Reception Sponsor www.NorthCentralMass.com Building Businesses. Building Communities. Trusted resources, a strong business network and a support system to keep your business and North Central Massachusetts moving forward. See the benefits of membership by visiting The former owner of the Blackstone Tap, Jefferson Mararian, owns the property again after reaching a deal with the federal government. 166 Shrewsbury St. sale price The two restaurants formerly owned by convicted drug dealer and money launderer Kevin Perry are now in new hands after the sale of 81 Water St. and 166 Shrewsbury St. Here's a brief history of the Shrewsbury Street location. Year Buyer Sale price 2006 Francis & Rosemary Turo $261,000 2013 Niche Hospitality Group $450,000 2016 166 Shrewsbury Street LLC (Perry) $500,000 2018 Meze Greek Tapas $525,000 Sources: Worcester County Registry of Deeds

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