thePULSEOn a dime
A newcomer’s guide to good deals and great times in Worcester
August 2004 – Ok, it’s your first month in your new apartment or dorm room and your mission is to decorate it with some style. And you have to cover up weird stains, hide the nasty carpeting and deal with all the other fashion disasters that are out of your hands. But as a college student or a young professional trying to survive on a starting salary, handouts from mom and dad or minimum-wage part-time jobs, finding the perfect furnishings for new digs has to be done with an extreme frugality that would make even George Costanza blush.
Here are the best places to bargain shop in Worcester, plus a few decorating tips that can be done quickly and inexpensively to transform that new dorm room apartment into “home.”
Bargain shopping guide
Duffy’s Discount offers brand names at a fraction of the cost. Receiving shipments from department store liquidations and spill-overs. Duffy’s features non-perishable food items, beauty supplies, toiletries, over the counter medicines and party favors. New shipments come in at least twice a week, so merchandise is always changing. 1541 Main Street (Rt.9), Worcester, (508) 757-6940
GOOD DEALS: Tresemme shampoo: 2.99 / Powerbar: 0.50
Spag’s 19 is excellent for buying in bulk. This famous name in discount stores carries perishable and non-perishable food items, kitchenware, home decor, and cleaning and garden supplies. Check flyers or go online to www.spags.com for weekly ads. 193 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, (508) 925-1500
GOOD DEALS: Flannel Backed Vinyl Tablecloths: 3.99 / Bath Towels: 1.99
You can find anything from donated clothing to household items to furniture at the Salvation Army, which has been helping shoppers in need for decades. Everything goes through an inspection process and is of good quality. The Salvation Army has two retail locations in Worcester: Sally’s Boutique, 72 Cambridge Street, (508) 799-0528 and 884 Millbury Street, (508) 753-0674
And who could forget… Wal-Mart The big-box department store that vows “always low prices, always” carries everything. Check out www.walmart.com. To the east: Wal-Mart of Northborough, 75 Otis Street, (508) 393-3155 To the north: Wal-Mart of West Boylston, 101 W Boylston Street, (508) 835-4552 To the south: Wal-Mart of Oxford, 6 Boulder Park Way, (508) 987-1444
GOOD DEALS: Corduroy Moon Chair in dozens of colors: $36.92 / Mainstay’s Bed-in-a-Bag: $28.84
Call It Home – On a Dime
- Rule number one for furnishing an apartment on a low budget: always accept any free furniture that family, friends or co-workers offer up.
- Cover a not-so-stellar chair (rips, stains or out of fashion) with a sheet – white, brightly colored, or printed. No need for stitching or glue guns, simply tuck the corners underneath the cushion. Extra-long twin sheet sets in various colors and styles: $12.64, Wal-Mart.
- No drapes in your new place? Sheets, duvet covers or inexpensive reels of fabric can be hung over a curtain rod or tacked above a window-sill. Duvet covers in various styles and colors: $12.99, Spag’s 19 / Fabric reels: $3.99, Wal-Mart.
- Cover unsightly walls (pock-marked or un-desirable colors) with tapestries or recycled posters from the high-school years.
- Shelving can be improvised in many different ways – use plastic milk crates from the local grocery store, cinderblocks, or recycled or new bookcases. For a less make-shift look, use plastic Rubbermaid shelving. 5-shelf bookcases: $19.96, Wal-Mart / Plastic Rubbermaid 3-drawer sets: $9.96, Wal-Mart.
- Building 19 on Grafton Street has a good selection of inexpensively priced furniture.
- Cover up stained or frayed carpeting with area rugs or unbound carpeting, which won’t fray as quickly as rumored by carpet manufacturers. Machine-woven rugs, 2′ x 8′: 24.99, Spag’s 19. Building 19 also has a wide selection of cheap rugs – you can even find some faux-Oriental rugs for under $30.
- Torchiere lamps or floor lamps are excellent for reading, studying or watching television and are almost always reasonably priced. Black Torchiere lamp with reading light: $16.82, Wal-Mart / For a decorative look, rice paper lanterns are excellent for accent lighting – in various colors: 12.88, Wal-Mart.
- Add a little flare to your new home with plants, welcome mats, door beads, or wind chimes. Wind chimes: $6.99, Spag’s 19.
Webster Square? Green Island? Shrewsbury St?
Which neighborhood’s best for you? After spending hours shopping for the best bargains in the city to decorate the new apartment, it’s time for a much-deserved night out. If you’re a newcomer to the city or if you want some fresh tips on where to go for a few beers, a good meal, or a night away from your TV, here are a few choice destinations in six of Worcester’s neighborhoods that won’t break the bank.
Webster Square
Java Hut is a great place to chill. The Poet’s Asylum open mic night is featured weekly. 1073 Main Street (508) 752-1678.
Webster House serves really good food at reasonable prices, including Italian, American and seafood dishes. 1 Webster Street, (508) 757-7208.
Blue Bird Pizza is perfect for a quick, inexpensive, and decent meal consisting of the college staples pizza and grinders; prices range from $3-$6.95. 591 Park Ave, (508) 798-6591.
At Sakura Tokyo, Japanese dishes are prepared as you watch. This Park Ave favorite features excellent scorpion bowls and sushi. You might want to wait for pay day to go here though. 640 Park Ave, (508) 792-1078.
Regress to your puerile roots with dozens of arcade games, foosball and pinball at Playoff Arcade. 32 Cambridge Street (Rear), (508) 798-9032.
Also for the young at heart is the Skylite Roller Skating Center, offering blading, skating and laser tag. 648 Park Ave, (508) 757-8640.
Shrewsbury Street
Worcester’s quintessential pizza heaven, Wonder Bar offers the best Italian-style pizza in the city for the best price ($7-10). 121 Shrewsbury Street, (508) 752-9909.
Brew City Grill & Brew House offers 130 styles of beer – local, domestic, imported and craft brewed – and dozens of BBQ and pasta dishes. 104 Shrewsbury Street, (508) 752-3862.
The Flying Rhino Cafe and Watering Hole is a great alternative for those looking for a more sophisticated, healthy lunch. It is also great for after-dinner drinks, offering a wide variety of martinis, wines and local and domestic beers. 278 Shrewsbury Street, (508) 757-1450, www.flyingrhinocafe.com.
Funky Murphy’s decor and open air seating live up to its great name. Plasma screen TVs and mood-changing lighting give this bar and restaurant a unique feel. 305 Shrewsbury Street, (508) 753-2995.
Boulevard Diner has served Worcester since the 1920s. The ten-stool 24-hour boxcar diner offers Italian specialties and diner fare at reasonable prices, including great cheeseburgers, excellent chicken soup and eggs any way, any time. 155 Shrewsbury Street, (508) 791-4535 .
Pop into the Fred Astaire Dance Studio for open floor on Friday nights from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. or take ballroom dancing lessons – in Smooth or Latin styles. 319 Shrewsbury Street, (508) 755-8635, www.fredastaire.com.
Highland Street
The recently refurbished Boynton Family Restaurant is one of the city’s most popular college hang outs. Creative gourmet fare offers a unique alternative to the traditional pub at this Highland Street hot-spot. 117 Highland Street, (508) 756-8458.
Greater Worcester’s most popular Mexican restaurant, Tortilla Sam’s Cantina is decorated with pictures of “Sam,” the owner’s green pet iguana, eating his favorite food, the chili pepper. Oh, and the food’s great, too. 107 Highland Street, (508) 756-SAMS, www.tortillasams.com
Sahara Cafe & Restaurant features upscale Middle-Eastern food with a great view of Highland Street’s action. 143 Highland Street, (508) 798-218.
The best steak and cheese grinder in the city is at Tech Pizza. This is a great hangout for soccer fans. Tech offers free delivery from 6 p.m. to midnight. 137 Highland Street, (508) 752-2133.
If you have a little extra money and crave a seafood meal, Sole Proprietor Seafood & Spirits is the ticket. Excellent gourmet dinners, appetizers and wines can be found at this classy bar and restaurant. 118 Highland Street, (508) 798-3474, www.thesole.com.
Green Island
One of Worcester’s ultimate destinations for local rock and roll is The Lucky Dog Music Hall, which offers live music Monday through Saturday, including Wormtown Wednesdays (10 local bands!), and Karaoke Sundays. The Lucky dog is 21+. 89 Green Street, (508) 363-1888, www.luckydogmusic.com
The Broadway is a comfy long-time Worcester favorite for home-cooked food, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner; check out the daily specials for under $6. 100 Water Street, (508) 753-3233, www.broadwaycaterers.com.
Rage is Worcester’s alternative lifestyle nightclub, offering Karaoke Tuesdays, ladies’ night Wednesdays, Foam Party Thursdays, dance parties Friday and Saturday, and retro 80s Sundays. Rage is 18+. 105 Water Street, (508) 756-2227, www.rage-worcester.com.
Vibes is the colorful pride store and coffee shop for Worcester’s alternative community. 116 Water Street, (508) 753-9969, www.vibesgifts.com.
Lanetarium, Inc. is an internet cafe and game center. 65 Water Street, (508) 754-9300, www.lanetarium.com.
Worcester’s family owned and operated gentleman’s club, Hurricane Betty’s was recently refurbished with new lighting, plasma TVs and a champagne room. A “Best Damn Dancer Contest” is held on the first Wednesday of every month and features a $500.00 cash prize. 350 Southbridge Street, (508) 799-4422.
Grafton Hill
Uncle Charlie’s is a friendly neighborhood bar where everybody knows your name. Go for inexpensive drafts and a fun place to watch the Red Sox. 240 Grafton Street, (508) 791-8630.
Club Oz is the perfect place for the college crowd. There’s Karaoke on Sunday, DJs Wednesday through Friday, open mic night on Thursday and occasional themed nights. Don’t forget the .25 chicken wings on Mondays. 200 Grafton Street, (508) 757-9199.
Golden Pizza Try the Garlic pizza at this reasonably priced pizza parlor. 137 Grafton Street, (508) 770-1533
The neon sign says it all: “This is it.” Vincent’s is a great neighborhood bar with an outdoor patio, jukebox, arcade games and a handful of lunch and dinner dishes. 49 Suffolk Street, (508) 752-9439.
EcoTarium offers special events like Jazz at Sunset and a wide variety of educational activities both indoor and out, such as planetarium presentations and interpretive nature trails. 222 Harrington Way, (508) 929-2700, www.ecotarium.org.
Downtown
Irish Times is an authentic Irish bar featuring pub fare and live music. Visit the third floor dance club “The Attic,” open Friday and Saturday nights. 244 Main Street, (508) 797-9599, www.irishtimespub.com.
The Atrium Entertainment Complex features four clubs in one: My Martini cocktail lounge, J.J. Jugs, The Jail House and The Coutryard. The Atrium is 18+. 1 Exchange Place, (508) 363-1392, www.atriumnightclub.com.
Check out Deja Vu and Plumb Crazy at the Sh-Booms Entertainment Complex, offering the best in hip-hop, pop and rock music. Sh-Booms is 18+ on Thursdays and 21+ on Fridays and Saturdays. 30 Worcester Center Boulevard, (508) 752-4214, www.shboomsworcester.com.
Self-described as “the coolest place in all of Worcester,” Ralph’s Chadwick Square Diner is a great place to grab a bite to eat, play pool, have a few beers, and hear local rock bands. 95 Prescott Street, (508) 753-9543, www.ralphsdiner.net.
The ever-popular Tammany Club features some of the best local acts. Don’t miss The Late Messengers on Mondays. 43 Pleasant Street, (508) 791-6550, www.geocities.com/tammanyclub.
For billiard and non-billiard aficionados alike, newly renovated Boston Billiards is the perfect place to shoot pool and enjoy suds. 28 Brunswick Gold Crown pool tables, arcade games, lounge, patio, lunch, dinner and extensive cocktail menu. 454 Grove Street, (508) 852-2121, www.bostonbilliardclub.com.
