wbjournal.com | January 10, 2022 | Worcester Business Journal 25
Thank you to the Worcester Business
Journal readers, our customers,
and f riends for voting us
BEST COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPER.
We are proud to serve our business
community and customers.
LEI CORPORATION
200 Shrewsbury St., Boylston, MA 01505
(508) 865-4367 EXT. 201
www.leisite.com
BOB
A W A R D S
B E S T O F B U S I N E S S
F O O D , D R I N K & M A R I J U A N A B E S T O F B U S I N E S S
Worcester Restaurant Group, promoted
a successor to Founders Robb and
Madeleine Ahlquist: their daughter
Caitlyn Carolan.
Notable runners-up: VIA Italian Table,
The Sole Proprietor. n
BEST RESTAURANT FOR BUSINESS LUNCH
The Sole Proprietor*
Worcester
www.thesole.com
Top executives: Founders Robb and
Barbara
Cotter
Madeleine Ahlquist, President Caitlyn
Carolan, Beverage Director Keith Carolan,
General Manager Eric Andreoli
Founded: 1979
Employees: 98
The Sole pairs the freshest seafood in the
region with a knowledgeable staff designed
to give customers an above-and-beyond
experience with every meal. Much of the
restaurant's 2021 was navigating the fallout
from the coronavirus pandemic, including
growing its takeout business, providing a
safe dining room environment, and adding
online ordering.
Notable runners-up: 110 Grill, VIA Italian
Table n
BEST CATERER FOR A CORPORATE EVENT
Struck Catering
Worcester
StruckCatering.com
Top executives: Founders Barbara Cotter
& Derek Grillo
Founded: 1979
Originally an offshoot of Struck Cafe,
this catering business is a powerhouse
in its own right, renowned for authentic,
artisanal food made from local purveyors.
In addition, Struck has opened an event
planning business to accompany its full-
service catering.
Notable runner-up: Peppers Artful
Events n
BEST AFTER-WORK BAR
Tavern in the Square
Shrewsbury
www.taverninthesquare.com
Top executive: CEO Stephen DeSousa
Founded: 2004
Employees: 85 in Shrewsbury and 1,200 throughout the company
With cocktails like Talk Tiki to Me and Nitro Draft Espresso Martini and its famed spiked
seltzer towers and margarita towers, Tavern in the Square turns after-work drinks into a
lively affairs. The drinks menu is rounded out by plenty of wines, draft and bottled beer,
along with an Americana food menu with appetizers like fried pickle chips.
Notable runners-up: Brew City Grill & Brew House, One Eleven Chop House, 110 Grill n
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