Wonder food delivery, take-out, and dine-in opens in Natick

February 25, 2026 by Deborah Brown

In Natick’s utilitarian 9/27 strip mall, home to Stop & Shop, Advance Auto Parts, Staples, and other essential spots, over 15 restaurants opened up earlier this month, but it’s not exactly how it sounds.

In the former Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza space, Wonder has opened what can seem like a confusing business model at first, but in reality is simply a single place to order nearly everything you might want to eat via pick-up, delivery, or dine-in.

Wonder, Natick — Wonder’s interior comfortably seats about 35. The garage-style doors can open in the summer.

Picture this cozy family scene: it’s takeout night, and everyone is excited. The kids demand pizza. Mom wants poke. Dad could go for a burger. Are we really going to order from three different places? Suddenly, dinner plans seem more glum than yum at the prospect of a multi-stop pickup run—or hunkering down, but paying delivery fees times three.

Good heavens, it would be easier to just cook up a pot of spaghetti (again) and tell everyone to be thankful they’re fed.

Here’s the Wonder concept: everyone gets exactly what they want, in a single order and a single delivery, with $0 delivery fees. When an order is placed online or via the app, Wonder’s kitchen assembly line model—a wonder in itself—kicks into action.Team members mix and match chef-inspired meals from multiple restaurant menus in one order. Many hands on the line make light (and quick) work, while efficient, secure packaging keeps hot things hot, and cold things cold.

The delivery radius is pretty tight. Some fiddling with the app revealed addresses in the wilds of South Natick near Elm Bank Reservation, and headed toward the hinterlands that is Sherborn don’t make the delivery cut. But most other areas in town do.

Grand opening, the scene

We went to the grand opening, packed with hungry, curious locals. Mix 104.1 kept the scene lively with music and giveaways. But it’s the food we were after. Servers passed around a selection of boneless wings from Wing Trip—their lemon pepper, and garlic parmesan varieties. Fabulous, flavorful, and fun. (Wing Trip has classic bone-in wings, as well, and plenty of flavor options.) Cannoli from Mike’s Pastry for a sweet, and beer samples from Harpoon Brewery were available to pair with Wonder’s main dishes, which attendees ordered from the kiosk, priced 50% off as part of the celebration.

Among the items we ordered: a beef kabob dish ($22) from Maydan that featured a handful of spice-rubbed beef chunks topped with a sweet-and-sour sauce. The flatbread that came with it was not to be overlooked either.

We even came away with a swag bag designed with custom artwork by Boston-based artist Julia Emiliani, who also painted the bright, creative murals on the walls.

Howdy, pardner

Natick restaurants that have partnered with Wonder include Shubh Kitchen; Pizza by Rocco; Lunch on the Charles; and Detroit Brick Pizza Co. Other area faves are available as well, such as Mel’s Commonwealth Cafe (Wayland); Rice Burg (Wellesley); and Tennessee’s Real Barbeque (Framingham).

Some places we haven’t heard of, but that have quite a following in other regions, include Walnut Lane; Streetbird by Marcus Samuelsson; and The Mainstay by Marc Murphy. And popular chains such as Shake Shack and KFC are on offer.

An advantage to restaurants of partnering with Wonder is the opportunity to leverage an additional channel to reach new customers and increase their businesses through the Wonder platform. A disadvantage is the commission fees, widely reported as up to 30%.

Ready to saddle up? First, download the Wonder app. Make sure to check the web or ask the staff for any promo codes on your first order. Now it’s time to peruse the menu and make your choices, including whether you want to pick up, get free delivery, or dine in.

Take a seat

The 3,420 sq. ft. restaurant comfortably seats about 35. Expect a clean, brightly lit space and a lot of movement as the pick-up crowd comes and goes. So maybe not a bistro experience, but the garage-style doors will go up in the summer, which will be fun. Julia Emiliani’s vibrant wall murals make the interior feel less corporate, and more creative.

Wonder what they’ll think of next

Wonder is on a tear. In addition to the Natick location, Wonder grand-opened on the same day in Framingham and Belmont. On March 5 they’re taking Newton, Acton, and Medford by storm. From there, it’s on to Watertown, Canton, and Burlington, with more locations to come in spring and summer.

Operations Specialist Rosie Schulte says hiring has been going well. For each site, Wonder onboards approximately 35 local employees who Shulte says cook every meal “fresh onsite right out of the restaurant, optimized for dining, takeout, or delivery.” Applications for available roles can be found at Wonder.com/careers.

Schulte also takes pride in Wonder’s opening initiative that puts $1 from every order placed during restaurants’ opening week toward The Greater Boston Food Bank. She notes that Wonder will continue supporting the Food Bank via a roundup program at checkout, as well as partnering with local food rescue organizations to donate meals prepared during team training to neighbors in need.

Wonder’s Natick location is open daily, 10:30am-11:30pm.

Wondering where else you can eat in the area?

Natick restaurants—more than 70 options (Interested in sponsoring this page? Let us know: natickreport@gmail.com)

Wellesley restaurants—more than 50 options

Black History Month events in (and near) Natick

February 3, 2026 by Deborah Brown

February arrives not just with the chill of late winter, but as a time to reflect on and celebrate Black history, culture, and heritage. Here are some events commemorating the ongoing contributions of Black Americans. Started by Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926 as Negro History Week, the week was rebranded to Black History Month in 1976.

Don’t see your Black History month event here? Email natickreport@gmail.com for inclusion.

EVENT: StoryWalk in Natick Center
DATE: throughout February
LOCATIONS: StoryWalk locations include Morse Institute Library; Natick Center Cultural District; Natick Police; Natick Town Hall; along with about a dozen local busineses.

DESCRIPTION: Celebrate Black History Month with the “ABCs of Black History StoryWalk” in downtown Natick. The Walk is based on New York Times bestseller children’s book, “ABCs of Black History,” by Rio Cortez, illustrated by Lauren Semmer. Scan QR codes to hear youth readers from last month’s MLK Day Community Celebration.

EVENT: Vocal celebration—lunch and concert
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, February 4, 12pm
LOCATION: The Center at the Heights, 300 Hillside Ave., Needham
REGISTRATION REQUIRED: call 781-455-7555

DESCRIPTION: Dynamic “soul sisters” Nyisha Siliya and Carine Paul will lead an uplifting program of inspirational and gospel music. Having performed in more than 30 countries, the singers share messages of faith, hope, and love through song.

EVENT: Public Historian Dr. Kyera Singleton, “Slavery in Massachusetts”
DATE/TIME: Sunday, Feb. 8, 2 pm
LOCATION: Needham Public Library, 1330 Highland Ave
REGISTER here

DESCRIPTION: In the 19th century, Massachusetts was known as the heart of the abolitionist movement. However, in the 17th and 18th century, slavery was a huge component of Massachusetts society and its growing economy. Dr. Kyera Singleton, executive director of the Royall House and Slave Quarters in Medford, will discuss how the myth making around the American Revolution has obscured the history of slavery in Massachusetts. The talk will focus on the stories of those enslaved in places such as Boston and outlying areas like Medford and Needham before gradual abolition in Massachusetts due to a court decision in 1783.

EVENT: Boston-Area “Plantation” Histories: an illustrated talk with local historian Joel Mackall
DATE/TIME: Tuesday, February 10, 7pm–8:30pm
LOCATION: Wellesley Free Library, 530 Washington St.

DESCRIPTION: In this powerful illustrated talk, local historian Joel Mackall uncovers the hidden histories of enslaved Africans who lived and labored on Boston-area estates. Focusing on sites like the Royall House in Medford, the Brattle Street estates in Cambridge, the Loring-Greenough House in Jamaica Plain, and the Shirley-Eustis House in Roxbury, Mackall reveals how these properties—often overlooked in narratives of slavery—were built on and sustained by the labor of enslaved people and the profits of plantation wealth.

EVENT: Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Day speaker: Dr. Derron O. Wallace
DATE/TIME: Wednesday, February 11, 5pm
LOCATION: Babson College, Carling-Sorenson Theater
COST: Free. Registration required.

DESCRIPTION: The Babson community remembers, reflects upon, and celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This annual event continues conversations around Dr. King’s vision of justice, equality, and peace in our own community and in the world at large. This year’s theme is The Power, Purpose and Promise of Education with keynote speaker Dr. Derron O. Wallace, Associate Professor of Education Policy and Africana Studies at Brown University. Dr. Wallace is an award-winning sociologist, educational policy analyst and writer, including author of the widely celebrated book, The Culture Trap: Ethnic Expectations and Unequal Schooling for Black Youth (Oxford University Press).

EVENT: Sheffield Chamber Players, Black History Month family concert
DATE: Feb. 15, 2026
TIME: 3pm
LOCATION: The Strand Theatre, 543 Columbia Rd., Boston
COST: Free

DESCRIPTION: The program will highlight Black composers, including works by Daniel Bernard Roumain, Kevin Day and Margaret Bonds, alongside a new commissioned piece created from musical ideas drafted by City Strings students. City Strings, Sheffield, and a combined ensemble will each perform, culminating in a vibrant collaborative finale.

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Become a member of the Main Street Improvement Working Group in Natick

February 2, 2026 by Deborah Brown

The Town of Natick is studying potential improvements to pedestrian/bicycle safety and general streetscape design along Main Street in Natick Center. Over the past few years the Town’s project team, along with engineering firm McFarland Johnson, with input from stakeholders, has created a corridor design concept that will be the basis for further technical design.

Before moving into this more detailed design work, Town staff are forming a working group to help further refine the design concept. Comprised of Town staff, board and committee members, Natick Center business owners, and residents at large, the working group will review the concept, share feedback, and vote on endorsing a revised design prepared by the project team.

Apply to be a member of the Main Street Improvement Working Group

Click here to learn more and access the application. Applications will close on February 19, at 11:59pm.
Members will attend 2 hybrid meetings over the course of 9 weeks
Total time commitment of 4-10 hours, depending on role and interest
Expected topics: pedestrian and bicycle safety and mobility; general wayfinding; lighting; streetscape design along Main Street (Route 27), from Cottage Street to South Avenue; and more.

If you’re interested in giving your thoughts on the project but cannot make the Working Group, the Town will in late March hold a public forum for folks to weigh in on the design. Date and location information TBD.

Click here to learn more about the Main Street Improvement Project.

Not starting from scratch

The Town of Natick has already been working with engineering firm McFarland Johnson, which has shared concepts to improve mobility and safety along the stretch between the Natick Center train station and Cottage Street.

A couple of the project’s “non-negotiables,” as identified by McFarland Johnson based on community input, include no taking of private property, and no change to Main Street’s overall right-of-way.

Although there has been broad-based agreement that pedestrian safety improvements are needed along the corridor, there has been less of a consensus regarding parking, and bicycle infrastructure. In past meetings, some have called for less space dedicated to cars and more space dedicated to bike lanes, while others have advocated for the opposite.

Based on these stated priorities, a hybrid concept has emerged as the preferred model for the corridor. The hybrid concept provides bicycle accommodations along the corridor while maintaining the existing number of parking spaces.

The town recently received a $500,000 state grant from the Commonwealth’s MassWorks Program that will allow Natick to advance this design work, which is estimated to take approximately two years to complete.

When will the rubber really hit the road, so to speak? The final phase of the project—as in the time when Main Street will become a major construction zone—is estimated to take place starting in the late 2020s and last through the early 2030s.

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Education round-up: Natick High scores 2nd huge donation; Boost from Redhawk Foundation; Internship programs info; Coppellotti in running for Cooke Scholarship; Apply for Leaders Summit

January 30, 2026 by Deborah Brown

Natick High School receives second huge donation

Natick High School has received a second substantial anonymous donation from a remarkably generous local benefactor. This individual, who previously gifted $110,000 to the NHS Athletics Department, the Science Department, and the Robotics Team at the start of the 2025 school year, has contributed an additional $100,000 specifically to the NHS Athletics Department.

Impact of the donations

The combined $210,000 in donations has already been put to use, providing state-of-the-art equipment and resources across multiple departments, including:

Athletics Department: state-of-the-art football cameras
Athletics: golf simulator
Athletics: large wrestling mat
Athletics: new scorers’ table for the gym
Robotics Team: robotics equipment
Science Department: equipment and resources

So if you see Natick Report editors casually walking around town wearing “Anonymous Donor” t-shirts, please don’t make a fuss. We’re not seeking accolades. Just trying to help out where we can.

Redhawk Foundation boosts NHS groups

Redhawk Foundation has awarded grants to four NHS groups:

Connections Club—meets weekly after school for fun, organized activities that might include cooking, community service projects, playing games, music activities, participating in the Halloween and Sneaker Prom dances, and more.
NHS Theatre Boosters—Provides tech week dinners for cast, crew, and pit band; fundraises; supports build days; helps with publicity; and whatever else the Natick High theatre department requests!
NHS Basketball Boosters
Organizers of the annual Redhawk Fest—end-of-year event for all students in 9-11th grade to celebrate the hard work they’ve accomplished over the school year.

Founded in 2021, the Redhawk Foundation is a fund of the Foundation for MetroWest, created by a dedicated group of Natick parents looking to give back to their community. The Foundation’s mission is to enhance youth programming in Natick by providing financial support to help cover participation fees, upgrade equipment, and improve fields and facilities.

Check out Natick Report’s scholarships round-up

You don’t need us to tell you that an education beyond high school is expensive. We’ve put together a list of a few organizations that are looking to defray the costs for eligible students.

Don’t see your group’s scholarship information listed? Contact natickreport@gmail.com for inclusion.

Want to sponsor this story? Well, that would be fabulous. Contact natickreport@gmail.com for information

Speaking of which… Natick High’s Coppellotti in running for Cooke College Scholarship

Natick High School student Michael Coppellotti is among 568 seniors across the country to be named semifinalists for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s selective Cooke College Scholarship Program.

Scholars are selected based on academic ability and achievement, persistence, leadership, and service to others. Applicants must demonstrate financial need.

The program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to graduate with as little debt as possible. The award, which is last-dollar funding after all institutional aid, can provide as much as $55,000 per year to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Cooke Scholars also receive college planning support and ongoing advising.

Recipients will be announced this spring.

Info sessions coming up for internship programs

The Education Cooperative (TEC) offers internships for students interested in an academic or year-round internship. Applications are accepted through April 2026, with internship and field study placements distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Apply here.

Open to high school students looking for an opportunity to explore a career before entering college or career, students are required to complete 20 (field study) or 60 hours (internship) of shadow or hands-on work during the summer in one of their desired fields of study.

Internship and field study placements are offered in a wide variety of fields. Students are given one-on-one guidance on how to build a resume, boost interview skills and gain confidence in the workplace, all while working alongside professionals.

Interested students and families may attend a free virtual information session on February 11, March 9, or April 2. All sessions will be held from 7pm-8pm, and registrants will be emailed a Zoom link.

Questions: Email Emily Manz at emanz@tec-coop.org.

Apply for the Metrowest Future Leaders Summit

The Better Business Bureau will host the Metrowest Future Leaders Summit on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 4pm-6:30pm, at Fuller Middle School, 31 Flagg Drive, Framingham.

The Future Leaders Summit connects students with local business and community leaders for growth, networking, and inspiration. Participants will gain valuable insights into local resources, business finances, and using AI to help streamline processes not steamroll creativity—all in an engaging, student-centered environment.

This is a hands-on experience where Metrowest high school innovators bring their business ideas to life and showcase them at this community expo. This event is for driven high school students (grades 9-12) with a passion for entrepreneurship and a groundbreaking business idea or product.

Applications and event details here.

If you have any questions about the program, please reach out to Danielle Bass, the Community Engagement Manager for the Better Business Bureau at dbass@boston.bbb.org

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Historic Eliot Church in Natick has a new pastor

January 13, 2026 by Deborah Brown

Eliot Church, Natick — Reverend Adam Isbitsky

The Eliot Church of Natick has called Reverend Adam Isbitsky to be its next minister after a search process that wound up last fall.

Rev. Isbitsky follows Rev. Adam Tierney-Elliot, who became the minister of The Second Church in Greenfield in early 2025.

The new pastor will lead his first “official” worship service of the year this coming Sunday, January 18. It won’t be his first rodeo at the historic church, as Rev. Isbitsky gave the pulpit a spin during last year’s discernment process.

“After serving ministries in several area churches, it’s clear to me that the place the Eliot Church is positioned in is one of real possibilities for a new chapter, one we will write and edit together along the way,” Rev. Isbitsky said.

Initial goals: to work with the congregation over the next three years to deepen our individual and collective spiritual journeys, and further its connections with the wider Natick community.

Rev. Isbitsky earned his Master of Divinity from the Andover Newton Theological School in 2017, where he served in roles including Student Association President and Treasurer. Rev. Isbitsky has served as Legacy Pastor for the Second Congregational Church in Beverly and as Pastor for the Ballard Vale United Church in Andover. Leading up to that, he performed a variety of roles including interim minister, sabbatical minister, seminarian, music director, and organist for many local area churches including Reading, Wellesley Hills, Whitman, East Weymouth, Middleborough, and Holliston. Before entering theological school, Rev. Isbitsky earned a BA in Music and Music Education, and worked in various capacities in music education, musical theater and nonprofit management.

“The unanimous vote by the members capped a six-month search process on the part of the church Search Committee,” said Rosemary Driscoll, Moderator of the Eliot Church. “We are excited to welcome Rev. Isbitsky to our community. Come join us to meet him on January 18th.”

The historic Eliot Church is a community church in the Christian tradition, with ties to both the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association. Services are held on Sundays at 10am, and visitors of all faiths are welcome.