Bob Brown, Author at Natick Report

The state has a new housing tracker: Here are Natick’s numbers

July 6, 2026 by Bob Brown

The Commonwealth has published a new housing tracker on the Mass.gov website that shows progress in increasing housing statewide, by region, and by municipality. Massachusetts aims to add 222,000 new homes between 2025 – 2035 to meet demand and boost affordability.

You can view the numbers for Natick on their own or within the context of the overall state or compared to nearby cities and towns.

Based on the most recent Census data, Natick added 94 homes last year, a 0.59% increase over the previous year. That gave Natick 15,933 residential addresses vs. 15,839 in 2024.

Compared to surrounding communities, Natick added a higher number of homes than most, though Framingham and Wayland added more based on units.

Looking at net increase percentage of housing stock, only Dover and Weston had lower figures than Natick among neighboring communities, and those two towns only had 9 new homes between them.

From the Mass.gov housing tracker page:

Natick business buzz: Juice Rebel Cafe, Adore Nails & Spa on their way; Bed Bath & Beyond is back with a twist

July 2, 2026 by Bob Brown

The latest Natick, Mass., business news:

Juice Rebel Cafe, Adore on their way

A business called Juice Rebel Cafe plans to open at 1 North Main St. in Natick at the intersection of North Avenue.

The cafe looks to offer “protein-forward, seed-based nutrition” in the form of smoothies, bowls, etc.

It looks as though frequent customers will be able to sign on as members.

We’ve reached out to Juice Rebel to learn more about why they chose Natick and when they hope to open…

We’ve seen juice businesses come and go in the area over the years. One of the longer-running ones is Cocobeet, which has operated in Wellesley Square since 2017.

Separately, at 11 Main St., in Natick Center, make way for Adore Nails & Spa, which will slot into the former Heads Up Hair Salon space. Adore is in the thick of the permitting process with the town.

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Bed Bath & Beyond is back with a twist

Bed Bath & Beyond, which closed all of its stores after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2023, is reopening co-branded stores at 22 current Container Store sites, including 1265 Worcester St. in Natick (Ben & Jerry’s plaza on Rte. 9 west).

South Natick Dam removal ‘has passed the go/no go point’

June 25, 2026 by Bob Brown

Despite last ditch efforts by some to stave off removal of the spillway at the South Natick Dam, work on the Charles River site has begun and the project is moving ahead.

The town shared a 25-page memo that includes responses from one of its consultants to legal and other questions posed by a member of the public regarding the planned spillway removal, which the Select Board voted in favor of in 2022 for liability and other reasons. Earlier this month, a grassroots paddle on that section of the Charles was held, and some intrepid citizens even dared walk across the spillway.

There’s a move across the state and country to nix dams that no longer serve their original purpose, such as for industry. While the town-owned South Natick earthen dam and concrete spillway from 1934 do still serve one of their original purposes—providing recreational opportunities (see Natick Historical Society’s 2020 backgrounder)—their poor condition sealed their fate. With the climate changing, concerns have risen about issues such as algae blooms in the impoundment area, or pond, above the spillway and of a possible dam breach. This is a run-of-river dam and doesn’t actually control water flow.

Town officials have tried to assuage opponents of the spillway removal with assurances that the surrounding parkland will be improved.

Bill Spratt, executive director of the Department of Public Works & Facilities, shared a brief update with the Select Board and public on June 24 (see Natick Pegasus recording at about the 2-hour, 55-minute mark). This followed another briefing by Spratt in May.

While Spratt said he appreciated the Board continuing to take public comment, he emphasized that this is a done deal and that many public comment opportunities have been available over the past few years as the permitting and other processes have taken place.

“As of this week, the current status of the project is all permitting is in place, the dam contractor has a notice to proceed, has mobilized the site and has started work,” Spratt said. “So, this project right now has passed the go/no go point…”

Spratt said delays to the project at this point “will jeopardize $1 million in grants.”

The Select Board is sticking with the program, and voted not to make a request to the state’s Office of Dam Safety to reassess the jurisdictional natural of the South Natick Dam.

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Business buzz: Rte. 27 Auto Center relocates; Burning Wheel Yoga & Fitness ready for July opening in Natick Center

June 22, 2026 by Bob Brown

The latest Natick, Mass., business news:

Rte. 27 Auto Center relocates

The property at 18-20 North Main St. has been sold and the Rte. 27 Auto Center that had been based there has relocated to 10 Cochituate Street in Natick. Route 27 Auto Center and Easy Way Auto Body are sister companies under the same ownership, and now share the same location.

Rte. 27 Auto Center’s team spent some quality time with the Planning Board in 2024 sorting out parking, landscape and other issues at the North Main Street location, where Stone’s Auto Service previously operated.

Speculation has begun online about what might be next for the space just outside of Natick Center.

Burning Wheel Yoga & Fitness ready for July opening

Burning Wheel Yoga 2.Credit Jordan Lashley — Courtesy photo

Burning Wheel Yoga & Fitness, which we first wrote about in April, looks to be on schedule for its planned July opening in Natick Center.

The studio is moving from Medfield to Natick above Eli’s and 7 South Bottle + Kitchen, at 12 Washington St., 2nd Floor.

To celebrate the grand opening in July, Burning Wheel will be offering all classes for free from July 10-16. Visit the website to register. After July 16, first-time visitors can still enjoy their first class for free, and other specials will be offered.

Jordan Lashley, owner and yoga teacher at the studio, has told us that the relocation will allow for greater visibility and autonomy. Also, the business is evolving its brand to from Burning Wheel Yoga to Burning Wheel Yoga and Fitness. This reflects a broader range of offerings—from yoga and Pilates to HIIT, sound baths, and more.

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Natick Public Schools 5-year Strategic Plan approved

June 18, 2026 by Bob Brown

Following a nearly hour-and-a-half presentation and discussion of the draft Natick Public Schools Strategic Plan earlier this month, the School Committee on June 15 made short work—about four minutes’ worth—of its Strategic Plan agenda item and unanimously approved the document.

The Strategic Plan provides a road map for where the School Department is going and how to get there. The last plan went through 2023.

School Superintendent Dr. Melissa Spash said her team shared a memo with the School Committee regarding that body’s recent feedback on the Strategic Plan, and hit a couple of the highlights during the meeting. Among the updates, for example, was stressing two-way communications under the Communication & Community Engagement focus area of the plan, and adding a glossary of terms to further explain any jargon.

The plan is for the Strategic Plan to be published over the summer. Look for more updates on the School Department’s Strategic Plan page.

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