Since 2020: More than you really want to know about Natick, Mass.
Store closings are starting to pile up as a result of economic strain caused by the COVID-19 crisis, and Honey Dew Donuts in Natick is one of the latest. The West Central (Rte. 135) store, which has been in business for 25-plus years, now bears a sign that says it’s closing as of this Saturday, June 13.
WBZ-TV News 4 spoke with owner Harry Patel, who says it would take 2 years to make up what he has lost in recent months..
The town of Natick has announced that its annual Natick Days community event featuring big trucks, food, music and other fun has been nixed for 2020 due to the COVIDd-19 pandemic. It’s usually held in September.
Recreation & Parks Director Karen Partanen, who has already been the bearer of bad news about the fate of summer camps in town, spoke briefly at the Board of Selectmen meeting on Monday, June 8.
The cancellation was made “after lengthy discussion and pondering, and talking about all the unknowns and phasing,” she said.
Old school Natick Days sign (banning cats…)Natick’s Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary is set to reopen on Wednesday, June 10 at 9am, after having been closed since late March due to the COVID-19 crisis and the fact that people were turning the place into a zoo in their efforts to find somewhere to roam outdoors. We headed over there one day shortly before the sanctuary closed and got out in a hurry when we saw the parking lot chaos.
Things will now be orderly in the parking lot and on the trails. That’s probably good since the critters are going to be shellshocked to see people again.
The Audubon facility will be offering reservations 1-2 days in advance based on entry time, and is charging $10 per car (free for Mass Audubon members, EBT card holders, ConnectorCare Card to Culture participants and active military families). They’re running a $32 new individual or family member special (join online).
Once you show up you can say as long as you like, though you’ll need to have a strong bladder if you plan to hunker down. No bathrooms for now.
You’ll also need to follow trail safety guidelines.
We’re not counting our angels before they ascend, but the Sacred Heart Church in South Natick that’s been shuttered since 2004, has a real live “Sold” sign in front as of today.
Word is that the buyer of 26-28 Eliot St., very well could be the operator of a circus school, as we reported recently. Though some are skeptical that zoning rules will allow that. Regardless, the prospect of the circus arts school has neighbors doing backflips and shooting each other out of cannons.
Most suitors have eyed what’s become an eyesore over the years—shingles and whatever else falling off, overgrown grass, etc.—for a handful of what no doubt would be marketed as luxury condos.
Real estate sites have had the property listed for $450K. The Metrowest Daily News recently reported that a couple of deals fell through.
Most of ‘Sold’ sign blurred to avoid free advertising for real estate firmThe mystery surrounding the start of Phase 2 of the Massachusetts reopening plan has been solved: It officially was Monday, June 8. Now retailers can let a limited number of people in and restaurants can begin offering outdoor dining.
We swung by Natick Mall on Monday early afternoon and had plenty of room to maneuver. But shoppers had started to brave the squeaky clean stores, including Journeys, Macy’s and others. You really didn’t have to try too hard to socially distance though.
Customers journeyed in (Mall photos by Duncan Brown)
Social distancing wasn’t toooo hard at Natick Mall Monday, but the elevator includes markers indicating 6-ft separation
Kiosks were still covered
Indoor dining is still a ways away under state rules
The Mall is open 11am-7pm Monday-Saturday and noon-6pm on Sunday. Success will depend on both retailers and shoppers playing by the new rules: “New measures have been implemented to help ensure the health and safety for all who enter the Mall, including hand-sanitizing stations, touch-free interactions, frequent and intense cleanings and social distancing directions.”
Some typical services, like play areas and stroller rentals, are off-limits for now.
As for restaurants, Natick officials are looking to grease the skids to help eateries offer outdoor dining, and serve alcohol, perhaps in creative ways for those that don’t currently have much in the way of outdoor territory. Discussion took place at Monday’s Board of Selectmen meeting, where James Freas, director of community & economic development, discussed a 4-step process to handle incoming applications. Those requiring expanded alcohol licensing would be brought before the Board of Selectmen each week. Four applications had already made their way to Freas as of this past Monday.
The Board wondered about whether Natick Common might be in play, and it is, though the logistical challenges (the intersection, restaurants aren’t located right on it), would make its use probably very temporary.
The focus is more on the downtown grid of streets, where accommodations for expanded outdoor dining and drinking could be allowed on sidewalks, streets and parking lanes if coordinated. A transportation design team has been hired to help the town sort this out. Freas says town officials want such space to be allocated fairly and safely, and to be attractive, so as to draw in those who might otherwise be unsure of venturing back into the world. The town will try some things, and change them up if they aren’t working, said Freas, who repeatedly emphasized this is all temporary.
BoS member Karen Adelman-Foster said “The prospect of trying out some tactical suburbanism is a cool one,” and could bode well for future creative use of public space. Freas concurred that this sort of experimentation is a key part of the process.
As we’ve reported, Lookout Farm has big plans to shake up its dining and drinking layout beyond the Taproom and other small venues on its property. The BoS approved the plans during its Monday meeting, and next up with fire inspection of the grilling area.
Among the first to announce its Phase 2 plans was Buttercup, which reopened for outdoor dining on Tuesday, June 9 from 4:30-9pm, and will offer this service Tuesdays-Saturdays. Take-out and pickup are available 12-8pm Tuesday-Saturday.
Morse Tavern hopped right on the opportunity to offer patio dining on Monday and had a good crowd, albeit with forced space between parties. You’ll need to call to make reservations.
Ziti’s, too, says it’s ready for outdoor seating.
Among others looking to get permission for outdoor dining: Frescafe, which re-opened for curbside and take-out this past week at its Rte. 135 location.
Feel free to keep us posted on your business’s reopening plans or plans for expanded services: natickreport@gmail.com
