Natick Report

More than you really want to know about Natick, Mass.

Natick has been stocked with rainbow trout

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The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife is well into its spring trout stocking of bodies of water in the eastern part of the state, including Natick.

Hundreds of rainbow trout have been introduced to Dug Pond, Lake Cochituate, and just this week, the Charles River, in Natick.

The state stocks bodies of water across the state with hundreds of thousands of fish.

trout stocking

Trout stocking, Dug Pond, Natick

If you plan to catch some of those fish, here’s how to get your fishing license.

If you’re looking for something to do locally during school vacation week, MassWildlife is looking for help from kids in stocking trout across the state.

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Natick business buzz: Mr. Nice Dog coming to Rte. 9; Dairy Queen is back; The Hive readies to reveal

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The latest Natick, Mass., business news:

Mr. Nice Dog coming to Rte. 9

While “coming soon” can mean almost any period of time when it comes to local businesses, a new Natick business on Rte. 9 east called Mr. Nice Dog has installed signage promoting its pending arrival. The business, located next to a consignment shop, will offer grooming, dog training, and pet day care.

The Planning Board gave the business a thumbs up in October for a change of use at the location, 42 Worcester St. Previously, a related sort of business called All About My Dog operated in the space, but it left last summer when the owner moved to Colorado.

Mr. Nice Dog owner Antonio Torres told the Planning Board last year that he has been raising and training dogs for 30 years.

We’ve reached out for an update on when the business might open.

dog place

Dairy Queen is back

Dairy Queen on Rte. 27 in Natick is back in action for the season.

The Hive readies to reveal

The Hive, a new collection of pop-ups in Natick at 22 North Main St., plans to open in April.

This space formerly was occupied by Natick Nutrition.

The Hive states that its mission is to:

  • Create a collaborative space to aid the growth of artisanal micro-businesses.
  • Help facilitate the establishment of local businesses to convert from pop-up to permanent tenancy.
  • Increase the diversity of voices on Main Street retail offerings available to our community.

Jill Hourihan of Metro Pets Boutique in Natick is behind the venture.

Kids clothing shop Hedgehog Belly Designs has said it will be 1 of the Hive’s tenants. The shop has previously been located in Natick, as well as in pop-up space in Newton and Wellesley.

the hive

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Natick Community Organic Farm looks to break ground on barn in spring, shares annual update

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Natick Community Organic Farm this week held its annual meeting online and shared a summary of the past year and a look ahead, which if all goes well will include a barn raising. The farm had planned to break ground in the fall, but you know how construction projects go these days…now plans are to prep the site this month and raise the timber this spring.

Other goals for this year include boosting organic produce production to satisfy Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) demand. More fresh meat (chicken) offerings is also in the works.

Education programs account for the farm’s biggest chunk of income, so look for more adult education workshops in 2023, plus a pilot of weekend family programs.

Farm employees and volunteers are especially enthusiastic about bringing back a full slate of in-person events this year. Maple Magic, which includes a pancake breakfast and maple sugaring tours, is slated for March 4.

 

 

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Natick business buzz: Pet World—& Kitty City—moving to Sherwood Plaza; Metroworks opening across from Common

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The latest Natick, Mass., business news:

Pet World—& Kitty City—moving to Sherwood Plaza

Pet World—including its Kitty City adoption space—will be making the move from its longtime location at 1262 Worcester St. (Rte. 9 east) just outside Sherwood Plaza…into the plaza itself. The business will increase its space by 50% from 8,000 sq. ft. to 12,000 sq. ft., situated between David’s Bridal and the Minado restaurant.

The move will start next month and Pet World says it hopes to be operational at the new space by March.

pet world

Lots of changes at Sherwood Plaza these days, with Christmas Tree Shops rebranding to CTS and Barnes & Noble making its move there this year from Shopper’s World.

Metroworks coworking office opening across from Natick Common

Metroworks, which offers coworking office space and meeting rooms, is opening a location this month at 31 South Main St. across from Natick Common. Metroworks already operates at 1 South St., across from the Natick Center train station.

The business offers modern workspaces, plus networking opportunities, for entrepreneurs as well as others who need remote office space, including those working from home who need a break from that.

Natick Select Board Chair Paul Joseph and Economic Development Chair Scott Laughlin are listed on the company website as partner and managing partner at Metroworks, respectively.

metroworks

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A winter walk around the Natick Community Organic Farm

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After a sedentary holiday season marked by multiple multi-course meals, we needed to get outside and spend some time in the bracing cold. During a contemplative walk at the Natick Community Organic Farm, we counted up the number of cookies we ate over the past few weeks and multiplied that by the number of Hallmark movies we’d watched. That equation added up to a wake-up call. Time to get back on the righteous path of healthy living. We’re now ready to step away from the wassail.

Here are some pics of our visit.

Natick Community Organic Farm, Natick

 

Natick Community Organic Farm, Natick

Natick Community Organic Farm, Natick

Natick Community Organic Farm, Natick

Natick Community Organic Farm, Natick

 

Natick Community Organic Farm, Natick

 

Natick Community Organic Farm, Natick

Natick Community Organic Farm, Natick

An update on the barn rebuild

Early in the morning of March 17, 2021 the Natick Community Organic Farm’s 200+ year-old barn burned to the ground. (You can see our story on the fire here.)

Since the event, the farm has been working to raise $1.1 million for a new barn with a state-of-the-art attached greenhouse.

According the the NCOF website, “Our architects have submitted designs, and as of September 2022, we have the permits in hand to begin building.”