Worcester Business Journal

18 Worcester Business Journal | January 8, 2024 | wbjournal.com BEST BREWERY Wormtown Brewery* Worcester wormtownbrewery.com Top executive: David Fields, owner Founded: 2010 Employees: 50 In 2023, Wormtown launched its Be Smooth Hazy IPA, which is a new year-round beer to accompany the brewery's Be Hoppy IPA on shelves and on tap. Wormtown's leaders and employees focus on people, passion, and product. Wormtown produces more than 20,000 barrels of beer annually, ranking third in Central Massachusetts behind Jack's Abby Brewing in Framingham and Tree House Brewing in Charlton. Notable runners-up: Tree House Brewing, Redemption Rock Brewing, Greater Good Imperial Brewing n BEST EXERCISE FACILITY/FITNESS CENTER Worcester Fitness* Worcester worcesterfitness.com Top executive: General Manager Katherine Butterfield Founded: 1978 Employees: 75 In 2023, Worcester Fitness marked the 40th anniversary under the MacDonald B E S T O F B U S I N E S S W A Y S T O R E L A X Major Bloom advocates for small businesses, cannabis reforms BY ERIC CASEY WBJ Staff Writer M ajor Bloom aims to be more than just a dispensary. Now in its third year of operation on Millbury Street in Worcester, this marijuana retailer and delivery license holder has a permission to manufacture products, allowing it to stock its shelves with pre-rolls, edibles, and the like consumers can't find any- where else. e company's ability to manufacture its own products has allowed it to take its collaborations with neighboring small businesses to new heights. In September, Major Bloom partnered with Femme Bar, a lesbian bar on Green Street, to launch a line of pre-rolled joints includ- ing herbs aiming to alleviate symptoms associated with endometriosis, a chronic disease impacting the uterus. Other co-branded products highlight- ing local businesses are in the works. As part of Major Bloom's Black History Month initiative, the company honored fellow Black cannabis businesses nation- wide and introduced an exclusive menu item for the local community. Originally from Connecticut, Major Bloom Founder and President Ulysses Youngblood said city officials and the local small business community have welcomed him to Worcester with open arms. "We're very grateful to have the op- portunity to partner with some of these other small businesses," Youngblood said. Beyond its product offerings, Major Bloom seeks to be a force for good in the community. e company donated more than 1,000 food items to local nonprofits and schools during the holi- day season. Its radio show and podcast "Infused Influence" on Worcester-based 90.5 WICN Public Radio has created a platform to discuss the formerly taboo topic of cannabis on public airways, and Youngblood has been a guest lecturer at colleges in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. All of this has turned the formerly long-vacant commercial property Major Bloom now occupies into a hub of activity, bringing fresh energy and pride to a neighborhood yet to see the same levels of development witnessed closer to Polar Park. While other cannabis companies may not be too thrilled with the idea the Cannabis Control Commission, the state agency regulating the industry, is only a few blocks away, Major Bloom has turned the fact into an asset to help lobby for changes to benefit small and minority-owned businesses. Meeting with all four currently active commissioners at some point in 2023, the company helped convince them to vote 3-1 to begin the process of elimi- nating a rule requiring two employees to be in any vehicle delivering marijuana, a regulation critics say is overly burden- some. "We played our part alongside some other people just to push for that change," Youngblood said. BEST MARIJUANA COMPANY Major Bloom Worcester majorbloom.com Top executive: Founder and President Ulysses Youngblood Founded: 2017 Employees: 28 Notable runners-up: Bud's Goods & Provisions, Plant Dispensary W Major Bloom's retail store in Worcester

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