Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | February 5, 2024 | Worcester Business Journal 5 Long-awaited Creative Hub Worcester $10M project to break ground A $10-million historical renova- tion project at the former site of the Ionic Ave Boys Club at 2 Ionic Ave. in Worcester is set to begin in the late spring, with the opening of the nonprof- it Creative Hub Com- munity Arts Center expected in 2025. "Aer nine long years and the support of an incredible team of heroes, we are now on the verge of revi- talizing this historic building and bringing it back to life as a vibrant community arts center," said Stacy Lord, educator and co-founder of Cre- ative Hub Worcester. Amenities at the new community center will include an artisan's market, incubator studios, and event space for up to 200 people, according to a press release issued by Creative Hub Worcester on Jan. 22, revitalizing a space le unused since the Boys Club closed its doors in 2006. Creative Hub first launched in July 2016 with the mission of renovating the building, according to the nonprofit's website. e space was purchased in 2017 by the Arts and Business Council of Greater Boston, a Boston nonprofit. Cre- ative Hub purchased the building from the Arts and Business Council in May for a price of $2.25 million. e project has received a number of grants in the time since it was first announced, in- cluding a $200,000 grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council in May. In addition to the artisan's market, incu- bator studios, and event space, the arts center will include a classroom. e space is expected to open sometime in 2025. ngrid.com/takechargeprogram Time to install public EV charging. Great incentives and rebates available now. Increase your property's curb appeal. 23-NATEV-1012_EVCommPrintAdPub_WBJ_v2_013024.indd 1 1/30/24 2:49 PM Maker to Main to close permanently after 3+ years of operation Maker to Main, a small curated grocery store located on Harding Street in Worcester, will shut down aer just under four years of operation in two separate locations. e announcement was made on the Maker to Main Facebook page by Own- er Lynn Cheney on Jan. 26. "Aer 12 years of grassroots efforts hauling local food, numerous awards, endless business pivots, and millions of dollars to local farmers, brewers + mak- ers, I can no longer afford to continue," Cheney wrote. e store offered locally produced food and beverages from the New En- gland and New York area, with the aim of supporting the local economy and reducing environmental impacts. Maker to Main evolved from Lettuce Be Local Food Hub, a Sterling-based enterprise Cheney started in 2012. e store originally opened at 328 Main St. in 2020 before it moved to a larger location at 162 Harding St. in September 2023. Cheney was one of several small busi- ness owners who told WBJ in December the combined forces of lower consumer spending and higher costs were threat- ening the future of small businesses. Girl Scouts pick United Way executive as CEO e Worcester nonprofit Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts is under new leadership, as eresa Lynn has been named its next CEO e appointment of Lynn, who most recently served as the senior vice presi- dent of the United Way of Central Mas- sachusetts in Worcester, was announced in a press release issued Jan. 23 by the Creative Hub Worcester co- founders Laura Marotta (left) and Stacy Lord Theresa Lynn, new CEO of the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts Continued on next page

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