Worcester Business Journal

4 Worcester Business Journal | February 19, 2018 | wbjournal.com C E N T R A L M AS S I N B R I E F V E R B A T I M Slow your roll "I feel that we're probably going a little bit quicker than I would like to see in terms of these other issues coming up whether they be selling door-to-door delivery, whether they be cafes or whatnot." Massachusetts House Speaker Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop) on the Cannabis Control Commission moving quickly through its process of drafting regulations for the legal marijuana industry New cyber CEO "As a passionate cybersecurity practitioner at heart, this is the perfect opportunity to combine my industry experience with my belief in providing a secure and safe digital future." Anish Srivastava, on being named the new CEO for Littleton internet security firm OpenSky Corp. Amazon legislation "If we were to do something with respect to Amazon, it would probably be more of a standalone thing than something we would do as part of a general economic development bill because they're really, they're completely different animals." Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, on potential legislation to accommodate Seattle-based online commerce giant Amazon if it chooses Boston for a second headquarters Ed Hyder's children to run store following his death E d Hyder grew up working in his family's market on Hamilton Street on Worcester's east side, so it was natural at 25 years old, he went into the business himself. Hyder opened his own market on Park Avenue in 1975 – Ed Hyder's Mediterranean Marketplace – catering to the city's immi- grant community and others look- ing for ethnic food offerings that weren't avail- able everywhere else. Add in a personality that loved to serve the community and a nonstop work ethic, and Hyder quickly found success. "He started a business, but he also started a social club at the same time," his son, Gregory Hyder, said. Ed Hyder died on Feb. 6 from results of complications from chronic lymphocytic leukemia at age 67. The family announced the death online the following day. Word began to spread of Hyder's death before then, hitting many long- time shoppers who had stopped in for years for the shop's homemade tab- bouleh, hummus, spices or broad wine selection. "It must have spread like wildfire," Miriam Hyder, Gregory's sister and Ed's daughter, said of how quickly word got out. Shoppers and others stopped in throughout the day for the next two days to give condolences. "We always knew our dad was spe- BY GRANT WELKER Worcester Business Journal News Editor cial and how he loved the com- munity," Miriam Hyder said. "To him, it was never about the money or the food, it was about the people. Well, it was about the food, too," she added with a laugh. Ed Hyder was born and raised in Worcester, a third- generation grocer in the family. His grandfather opened a market after coming to Worcester from Lebanon. Ed worked with his father and uncles in Hyder's Market for years growing up, starting at age 10, until opening his own shop after graduating college. Hyder attended Quinsigamond Community College and earned a bachelor in history from Worcester State University. He graduated from North High School in 1968. Ed Hyder's Mediterranean Marketplace moved in 1994 from a tiny 400-square-foot spot on Park Avenue to an old fire station on Pleasant Street, and the old fire pole from the second floor to the first still stands. The store expanded the space five years ago. As the city's immigrant pop- ulation has dispersed, the store has gone from serving predom- inantly residents of the neigh- borhood to those who look for wines, teas, breads, cheese and deli offerings. "But we've never changed," Miriam Hyder said of the store's customer service. Gregory and Miriam co-owned the store with their father and have been heavily involved in the store. They will continue to operate the business into a second generation. "It's been wonderful to hear people's stories," Miriam said. "It's been quite the outpouring," Gregory added, in between greeting well-wishers. "It's been shocking." Ed Hyder is also survived by his wife of 40 years, Edna, a retired Worcester teacher, his daughter Alexis, and sister Linda Hyder of California. Ed Hyder W Gregory and Miriam Hyder still opened and operated their father's store the day after his death -- greeting well- wishers and long-time shoppers who remembered him -- and closed only for his funeral on Feb. 12. P H O T O / G R A N T W E L K E R

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