Worcester Business Journal

wbjournal.com | March 20, 2017 | Worcester Business Journal 5 B R I E F S Still relying on in-person office purchases After losing $615 million in 2016, Staples announced in March it would close 70 stores this year, which is part of its restructuring following its failed $6-billion merger with Office Depot. Despite the slide for Staples, WBJ readers – when polled online – said in-person retail shopping was their preferred method of getting office supplies. F L A S H P O L L WPI sued by ex-wife of top donor over $40M Worcester Polytechnic Institute is being sued by the ex-wife of the largest donor in the school's history, and was asked to stop spending more than $40 million he gave for business school, scholarships and innovation center. Janet Foisie argues her ex-husband, Robert Foisie, hid millions of dollars of assets from her in an offshore account and, once they divorced, transferred that money to the college, according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court. WPI's business school is named after Foisie, as is a $49-million classroom and dorm being built on campus. Janet Foisie is requesting a ruling that would order WPI to stop spending any money it received from her husband since 2011 -- a sum that would include $40 million he donated to WPI for scholarships in 2014. In all, Foisie has donated $63 million to the school. British Beer, InHouse Coffee site sold for $5.5M A Shrewsbury Street site, where a British Beer Co. restaurant and InHouse Coffee are located, has been sold for $5.5 million, real estate firm Kelleher & Sadowsky announced in March. The property at 225 Shrewsbury St. is reportedly being considered for a possi- ble hotel by new owner, Barry Lundgren of Forza Properties. City records show the site was last owned by Georgia and Theodocios Voyiatzis. It was last assessed by the city at about $3.3 million. Continued on next page COMMENTS: "I would like to continue to have the hands-on method of purchasing." REDEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY MONSON DEVELOPMENT CENTER – FOR SALE The sale and redevelopment of a portion of the former Monson Development Center presents an exciting opportunity to create a unique mixed-use development to support a mainly rural economy (and expanding light industrial economy) in the village-like historic Town of Monson. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is seeking responses to the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the purchase and sale of a portion of this state- owned property. Please refer to the RFP for site tour and specific submission requirements. MONSON DEVELOPMENT CENTER: • 256+/- acres for sale — bid on entire site or an Area • Historic property may be eligible for federal and state Historic Tax Credits • Town supports mixed use development • Adjacent to hundreds of acres of protected agricultural and recreation land • Includes undeveloped rail spur TO OBTAIN THE RFP: www.mass.gov/DCAMM/Monson2017 Does your business use retail stores for office supplies? No. We order office supplies online. 18% Yes. It's our primary way of getting office supplies. 35% Yes. We'll use a retail store if something is needed right away. 26% No. Our supplies are delivered through a supplier. 21% A rendering of the proposed $49-million Foisie Innovation studio "I use a retail store simply because I don't need much in the way of office supplies. When I had a storefront business, I used to have office supplies delivered."

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