By Paul Giorgio

Construction under way. There is construction going on and an “Opening Soon” sign outside of the former Verona Grille on Route 70 in Shrewsbury, right over the Worcester line. The new restaurant will be called Billy’s Pub and is owned by Jimmy Larsen. According to Larsen, he has done extensive renovations, including putting in a new kitchen. Watch for a late June opening. The Verona Grille closed more than a year ago.

First it was Gumbo then it was … The Canal Bar & Grill in Worcester’s Canal District, which opened as Gumbo before changing its name, has been sold. Canal Bar & Grill owner Nick Vapiano has sold the 65 Water St. eatery to Elaine Courtney, the former general manager of Nancy Chang’s on Worcester’s Chandler Street. Courtney worked at Chang’s for 18 years and has spent her life in the hospitality industry.

Vintage Grill gets a new chef. Vintage Grill on Worcester’s Shrewsbury Street recently hired Mike Peak as its new chef. Peak has been around the Worcester restaurant scene for a number of years, having worked most recently at LaBussola in Holden and The Steakloft in Northboro. Vintage will host its one year anniversary party on June 29.

Not very Sweet. Sweet T Southern Kitchen in Worcester’s Quinsigamond Village neighborhood recently closed its doors. This was a truly authentic southern restaurant that featured homestyle southern cooking and great desserts

First it was Banana Joe’s. Sloppy Joe’s is the name of the BYOB restaurant that will open shortly on Worcester’s West Boylston Street in the space that for years was home to Banana Joe’s, a produce stand and deli.

Do you want that book extra hot? A Buffalo Wild Wings is set to open at the site of the former Borders bookstore on Route 9 in Shrewsbury. The chain wing shop is expected to open in October, after the spaces undergoes major renovations.

Yankee Magazine honors local eateries. Yankee Magazine’s Travel Guide recently named three local restaurants as Editor’s Choice winners in the May issue. Salem Cross Inn in East Brookfield, Princeton’s Sonoma and The Vienna Restaurant in Southbridge all won an award

Greyhound offers food. Water Street’s Greyhound Pub in Worcester’s Canal District is now serving lunch. In addition to lunch, it has the best selection of single malt scotches around. The newly designed space is much larger than the old Greyhound, which was right at Kelly Square.

Framingham Beer Works. A new Beer Works recently opened in Framingham in the old Bugaboo Creek location on Cochituate Road. It will offer about 20 house-brewed beers on tap. It will serve classic pub food and will have a large outdoor patio.

Do you have Blueprints for that? Blueprints is the name of the new pub that will go into the space formerly occupied by Joseph’s Bistro in Westminster. Sean McNalley, the owner, is renovating the place and is looking at a July opening. The new pub will feature a 25-seat coppertop bar, American craft beers and food.