The latest Natick, Mass., business news:
The Flats coming back to life
Work on The Flats housing complex, at 7 Washington St. next to Agostino’s, had been all out for a while, but in recent months has stalled. The plan is to build studios and 1- and 2-bedroom apartments.
We reached out to The Flats via its website and asked what was up, as Natick Report readers have been asking us. We didn’t get a lot of details, but were told:
“The project hit several delays and was sold for $9.5M. Construction will restart in the coming weeks.”
Sounds promising…
The previous building was torn down in early 2022. Past tenants included Bruno’s barber shop (now on Pond Street), Kentucky Spirits, and others.
The project is on its way to becoming a new structure with retail on the ground floor and 4 levels of apartments above, with off-street parking. The Planning Board in March of 2020 gave its blessing to the project, including a site plan and special permit, at the Natick Mercantile Building. A 7-19 Washington Working Group had studied the project for Natick.
New package store makes bid
The Natick Select Board is slated to host a public hearing on April 19 at 6:30pm at Town Hall regarding an application for an all-alcohol package store license in the plaza at 2 Mill St. that currently includes Liberty Pizza, a convenience store, and salon.
The application is for Liberty Liquors (Jaymin Patel, manager). A memo from Natick Police Deputy Chief Brian Lauzon says the applicant is a suitable recipient for a license, but questions the location in light of another package store nearby (Roche Bros. plaza).
David’s Bridal warns of possible mass layoffs
David’s Bridal, which has a location at Natick’s Sherwood Plaza, is exploring a sale of the company and possibly more than 9,000 layoffs. The company, which sells wedding gowns and accessors, emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2019.
The Natick location is listed on the Pennsylvania company’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (the “WARN Act”) notice, embedded below. The company would take a phased approach to layoffs, with those at stores coming between mid-June and mid-August.
“The timetable for closing is based on the best information available, although it is subject to change as the Company continues to evaluate its options. The layoffs are expected to be permanent, although new opportunities may become available depending on the outcome of the Company’s sale efforts,” the company wrote.
A last look at the former St. Patrick’s School, E. Central St.
X marks the spot, targeting the former St. Patrick’s School for demolition. This view from Lincoln Street looking toward E. Central St.
The safety gate was open on Lincoln St. when we took pictures from the sidewalk. Only authorized personnel wearing protective hard hats are allowed onsite.
The St. Patrick’s Church steeple is visible across route 135 from the construction site. The church remains open and is part of the Natick Catholic Community, which includes St. Linus Church on Hartford St.
The shade the beech tree provided will be missed by Boston Marathon and Memorial Day parade viewers.
The 30-acre Natick Community Organic Farm is open 365 days a year to all comers, sunup to sundown.
Outside the fields are frozen, but inside the large hoop houses over 1,200 tulip bulbs have been planted and will be blooming by right around Mother’s Day 2023.
The outdoor farm stand is empty for the winter, but there are farm products available in the small hoop house to the left of the stand. A refrigerator holds eggs, and there’s meat in the freezer. Garlic, farm-produced condiments, and a few other cold-weather crop items are available.
The sugar shack will be going full steam ahead during sap season, which typically gets going in February.
West Natick fire station, 268 Speen St.
