thePULSEWho’s Opening, Who’s Closing,
Who’s Moving, Who’s Selling
December 2005
Funky gets a brother. The owners of Shrewsbury Street’s Funky Murphy’s will be opening their long anticipated restaurant on Water Street in Worcester right after the first of the year. It appears that during the development and construction stage, the restaurant’s concept has changed. What was once going to be an Irish bar called Copper Face Jacks is now going to be a Mexican restaurant and bar called Jose Murphy’s. I guess this would be Funky’s younger brother. But just who is Funky and who is Jose? Only Cal & Desi know for sure.
Oliver Wright Tavern closes. The Oliver Wright Tavern at Sturbridge Village will be closing its doors on January 1, 2006. The quaint village tavern, which served traditional New England fare, is the victim of falling attendance at the Village.
Elsa’s sells locations. Michael Bartowicz, who was a key manager for Elsa’s Bushel & Peck, recently purchased the two Worcester Bushel & Peck locations from Tom Oliveri. The stores are at the Summit and at Tatnuck Square. Oliveri and his family will continue to operate their full-service restaurants which include Elsa’s Eatery in Shrewsbury, Peppercorns on Park Ave. in Worcester, and their Milford restaurant.
Taft House Café opens. The Taft House Co-Op Café in the center of Millbury recently opened its doors. The informal café is located in the historic Taft House and serves sandwiches, soups, Italian pastries & coffee.
Café Espresso changes hands. Café Espresso on Worcester’s Wall Street was recently sold ~ but fans of this local trattotoria have nothing to fear. It was sold to the chef, who will continue with the same winning formula that has made this place a hit for a long time.
Bazillian Brazilians. It seems like there are quite a few Brazilian restaurants opening in the Worcester area in the next month. Pampas Churascaria is opening in the building which once housed D’Errico’s Restaurant on Shrewsbury Street. A Churascaria is a popular restaurant style in Brazil, featuring mainly meats. The waiters typically walk around with huge skewers of beef, pork and chicken and slice off portions for the customers. However, here it will be buffet style and the variety of meats will be cooked on charcoal grills. Meanwhile, Sabor de Casa Brazilian Cuisine is opening at 329 Grafton Street in Worcester, while Rose’s Restaurant, yet another restaurant serving Brazilian food, opens in Shrewsbury in one half of the space most recently occupied by Thai Times, right behind Spag’s.
Misabroso Restaurante replaces Bora Bora. A new Latin restaurant is taking up residence on Grafton Street next to Armando’s Clothing. Misabroso Restaurante will be opening shortly at the site of the former African restaurant Bora-Bora. 508-752-5189.
