Paul Giorgio

At the closing bell. A host of local eateries are shutting down or changing hands. Let’s start with the oldest. Maxwell Silverman’s, long a fixture in Worcester’s Lincoln Square, will be closing its current location after 42 years. Gus Giordano, the owner, is attempting to move the restaurant to Union Station and merge it with Luciano’s.

Word on the street. Two Shrewsbury Street fixtures are changing also. British Beer Company is closing and selling its large space to Mexicali Grill. David Brambila, who owns several Mexican-themed places in the area, is the owner.

One if by land, two if by sea. Rumors are flying that the Red Lantern on Shrewsbury Street will shortly be changing hands. No word on what is going into the space.

Kummerspeck kloses. In Worcester, Water Street’s Kummerspeck called it quits in the middle of October. This very trendy eatery, which had lots of buzz, just couldn’t make it. It had great food, but the experimental nature of the place – combing a butcher shop and restaurant – couldn’t make a go of it. Matt Mahoney and his wife Rachel Coit were truly urban pioneers, but maybe the Woo is not ready for $40-a-pound steaks.

Chopped Worcester winner. Rachel Coit, of Kummerspeck, took home the Golden Cleaver Award at Chopped!Worcester, a fundraiser for Jeremiah’s Inn which was held Sept 24 on the WPI campus. Bill Nemeroff, of BT’s Smokehouse in Sturbridge, came in second.

Heavy is the head that wears the crown. Worcester’s Crown Bakery is expanding and recently purchased Mrs. Mack’s on Grafton Street. Mrs Mack’s has been a Grafton Hill fixture for more than 50 years and was run by the third generation. Crown Bakery, long known for its Swedish pastries, is owned by husband and wife Jen and Edward LaPointe. In addition to being a bakery, Crown will open for breakfast and lunch.

The return of the Jeff. Jeff Mararian, the former owner of Water Street’s Blackstone Tap, has bought the building and business back. The business was seized by the federal government and sold recently. No word on what will happen or when it will happen, but there is a great deal of interest in the spot. We hear he is looking for an operator to take over.

It’s no bull. It appears that Bull Mansion in downtown Worcester is no longer functioning as a restaurant but has converted over to a special events and function space. Putting the best spin on it, the owners say they are so busy with events that they can’t function as a restaurant. We have lost track, but this may be the third or fourth restaurant to stop serving here.

Hit the bricks. Brickstone Restaurant recently opened on Route 146 in Sutton. The Italian-American eatery is owned by Anthony Joseph, who cut his teeth at Arturo’s, and his son-in-law, Justin Bonner. If past is prologue, you need to check this place out because Joseph is a great chef.