Like a million other things I’ve done this year…the first #WorcesterWednesday of 2020 isn’t exactly about a topic I thought it would be…
One of my favorite things about the changes Worcester has gone through over the past few years is how open and welcoming it has been to so many incredible small businesses. It has been a truly beautiful thing to watch people fulfill lifelong dreams and pursue passions that they formerly kept a secret from the majority of the world. My heart shatters every time I think about all of these businesses that are being impacted by COVID-19. I don’t even want to think about how many may not be able to re-open after all of this…
So, to do my part to support them, I want to do a round up of all the businesses I can think of that are still open in some capacity!
I would like to keep this list up to date throughout the course of all this craziness, so if you see anything outdated or know of any business that I missed that you think should be included, please let me know either in the comments or via DM or email!
Before getting into it, I just want to take a moment to say that I understand a lot of you are scared to even leave your homes at this point. It is a scary time in the world and it seems like every time we learn something new, we are told contradictory information 12 hours later. If you do not feel up to leaving your house or you’re not comfortable having items delivered, please consider buying a gift card. This also goes for your favorite businesses that aren’t able to open right now! Your support, even in the form of a gift card, goes a long way!
Broke until your next payday? I totally get that! Without spending a single cent you can also support your favorite local businesses (or travel bloggers who are now forced to stay home) by doing any of the following:
- Leave a positive review on Yelp, Google, etc.
- Like and comment on their social media posts
- Share their information with your friends and family
Seriously, every seemingly little thing you can do will help them immensely!
Food and Coffee
Acoustic Java
I would be a lot more productive during this quarantine if I could go sit at the Roastery for hours at a time…*sigh*. But until then, Acoustic Java is offering online ordering for curbside pickup at the Roastery. You can also order whole bean coffee or loose leaf tea for delivery. Place your orders here.
Birchtree Bread Company
Birchtree is open Wednesday-Saturday for curbside pickup and you can place your order online here.
Buck’s Whiskey and Burger Bar
Buck’s is open for takeout, curbside pickup, or delivery on Fridays and Saturdays, 4pm-8pm…but now they’re able to include beer or wine with your order too! Some of the best burgers in Worcester and your craft beer of choice? How could you go wrong! Call them at 508-304-9170.
Crust Bakeshop
Curbside Pickup Only!
Crust recently developed an online ordering platform. You can use this to order delicious baked goods and coffee from Crust and great items from North Main Provisions (wine included!)
You can either place your order online here then call them when you arrive to have your order brought out to you, or pull up out front, browse the window display, and call and place your order from your car. Crust’s phone number is 774-823-3355.
La Scala
La Scala, my favorite Italian restaurant in the city, is currently open for takeout orders Wednesday-Saturday 3pm-7pm and are offering their full menu (which you can view here). Call 508-753-9912 to place your order.
North Main Provisions
See above for info on how to get your favorite goodies from North Main. One of my favorite ways to bring a little joy to this dreary quarantine is by creating elaborate charcuterie boards, and they have everything you could possibly need for it! They also have plenty of other delicious things, like honey, preserves, chocolate…the list goes on and on…
If you want to call North Main directly, their phone number is 774-420-7434.
The Queen’s Cups
Another business that has recently developed an online ordering platform. You must pre-order by the dates and times posted on social media, but then can either walk in to pick up (only 4 people allowed in the store at a time) or call them when you arrive for curbside delivery. Find the online order form here.
Pick up is only available Friday-Sunday at this time, but they’ll be experimenting with shipping their delectable cookies soon so stay tuned for more info on that!
Worcester Bagel Time
My all time favorite bagel shop is still open for business! They are open 8am-1pm on their regular days, and can bring your order out to your car if you are not comfortable going inside. Call them at 508-798-0440.
Retail Therapy
BlushTan Worcester
Okay, not exactlyyyy retail…but since Mother Nature deemed it appropriate to not only put my tropical vacation in jeopardy but also gave us a snowstorm the other day, I think we could all use a little extra glow in our lives. BlushTan is an organic based, vegan spray tanning studio that I wish existed when I was in high school!
You can get giftcards for 15% off (!!!) right now (discount automatically applied at checkout, and you can also save 15% off all your faux-glow needs on BlushTan’s website using code “GLOW”.
Purchase your gift cards here and your products here.
Seed to Stem
Seed to Stem is doing something pretty awesome and offering something called “Good Vibes Packages” as well as selling some of their awesome botanicals. These packages include white sage, palo santo, and a dish or shell to burn them in, as well as other curated items from the shop. You can select a box in whatever price range suits your soul, from $25 all the way up to $400.
Right now they’re “sold out” as the family that owns and operates the business does what we are all currently doing: adjusts to life hunkering down at home. Keep an eye on their Instagram for when they will start deliveries again.
Sweet Janes
My favorite and beloved designer consignment shop, which helped kill germs by serving rose to shoppers a couple weeks ago, has had to switch exclusively to an online platform. You can shop their Instagram and/or Facebook feeds by sending them a DM. They accept payment via Paypal, Venmo if the purchase is under $500, or over the phone. They are also offering free shipping right now!
Seriously, with all the money you’re saving on gas, tolls, coffee, etc…now is the time to splurge on that new-to-you Louis Vuitton you’ve been dreaming about.
The Haberdash
You can shop The Haberdash Instagram feed by DMing them with the item you would like as well as the size. They are regularly sharing additional items in their stories, so be sure to give them a follow for all your boho needs!
They were offering 30 minute private shopping sessions…but I’m not sure if that has changed with the latest stay in place advisory…if that’s something you’re interested in I would give them a call or DM them either on Facebook or Instagram.
Beer and Wine
3Cross Fermentation Co-Op
3Cross is open for can, growler, and merch sales, but in order to minimize interactions they are requesting that people try to place orders online.You can do that here.
Bay State Brewing
Bay State Brewing, Worcester’s newest brewery, will be re-opening tomorrow for takeout! If you haven’t tried their Kelley Squared IPA then you’re missing out! Also…they have a pork pizza that is UNBELIEVABLE! Not sure if that will be on what I expect to be a limited menu, but if it is…get it. Send them a Facebook message if you have any questions.
Greater Good
Greater Good is still open for can sales. Place your order online here and it will be ready for you when you pull up.
Redemption Rock
Redemption Rock is doing curbside sales only, and may be ordered online here or by calling them at 774-530-6958. They are open seven days a week, 1pm-8pm. You can order cans or crowlers.
(Looking for more to read? If you haven’t already, check out the post I did on Redemption Rock right around the time they opened here.)
Sail to Trail
Sail to Trail is offering curbside pickup or delivery! Yes, that’s right folks, wine delivered straight to your door! Orders of $125 or more nationwide will ship free, orders of $50 or more will ship free to Worcester County. You can either order directly online here or email them at orders@sailtotrail.com
Wormtown Brewery
Wormtown recently implemented an online ordering system where you can order your favorite brews and pick them up the following Saturday. You can find the online shop here.
You need to present your ID when you pick up your order, so the name on the order must match the name on the ID! After that, a Wormtown employee will load your order into your car.