Rachel Shuster

Located at 122 Main St. in Worcester, North Main Provisions is a spot for local products, unique items and delicious gourmet cheese and wine. Co-owned by restaurant scene vets Alexis Kelleher, owner of Crust Bakeshop, and Nate Rossi, North Main Provisions opened the second week of July and is already making a name for itself in the city.

“Alexis owns Crust Bakeshop on Main Street, and I used to work at Armsby Abbey right next door,” Rossi said. “Two years ago, we met and started dating just before Alexis bought the bakery. We had been to shops like North Main Provisions in the past, and we thought that a shop like ours is what Worcester needed. Where better to do it than next to the bakery? You have bread, wine and cheese on the same block!”

After doing renovations for the first half of the year, North Main Provisions opened and has been doing well ever since. “Things are going really well,” Rossi said. “We have a lot of turnout from people leaving the courthouse. They go get their coffee and pastries at the bakery in the morning from Alexis, and I get them at the end of day getting wine and cheese.”

It’s no wonder the shop is doing well – Kelleher and Rossi have extensive experience.

“Alexis grew up baking with her grandmother, and her family owns Coney Island in Worcester,” Rossi said. “She grew up working in kitchens and has always loved baking. She went to Wellesley College and got her bachelor’s degree there, but then went to culinary school in Vermont at the New England Culinary Institute with a focus on baking. She also worked at Crust as head baker before buying it from the previous owner.”

As for Rossi, he attended Salter College in West Boylston as part of the culinary program. “I’ve also been working in restaurants for 15 years. I’ve worked at Friendly’s, Bertucci’s Corporation, The Sole Proprietor and as sous chef at Armsby Abbey. They have a great cheese program [at Armsby Abbey], which is where I learned a lot of what I know,” he said.

As for what you can expect when you walk into North Main Provisions, you can be sure to find a wide variety of delicious cheese, wine and specialty grocery items. “We try to source as locally as possible,” Rossi said. “We do get some small items from France, some wine selections from Europe, but mostly from Massachusetts, New York and other local areas. We love the finer things in life and are just happy to share what we love with people of Worcester.”

You can also expect some delicious gourmet grilled cheeses hot off the panini press on Crust Bakeshop’s bread! North Main Provisions also offers a robust catering menu with a variety of different-sized cheese and charcuterie boards.

As for pricing, Rossi said that the wine is more middle of the road, ranging from $10-$20. A lot of the cheeses are pre-packed, but you can also buy many artisanal cheeses by the pound.

While most of this year has been about getting their feet wet, Rossi and Kelleher have big plans for North Main Provisions, including a full calendar for future wine tastings. So, be sure to keep your eyes peeled and your taste buds ready!

To learn more about North Main Provisions, visit the shop on Facebook and Instagram or at northmainprovisions.com.