The latest Natick, Mass., business news:

Top Fitness grand re-opening

Top Fitness, which sells all sorts of exercise equipment from treadmills to rowers to weight gear, will celebrate its opening at 1400 Worcester St., at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 3-4pm.

Grand opening deals will be offered over the weekend.

This space is in the Rte. 9 strip that was formerly home to Papa Wheelies, which moved to Wellesley last year.

Don’t zone out over Article 24

Article 24 on the warrant for Natick Fall Town Meeting has to do with rezoning the strip along Rte. 135 east (East Central Street/Union Street intersection) to make for a more gradual transition from downtown Natick to more residential areas. The area spans from Grant Street to 99 East Central St. (small building in front of the

So we’re talking about some lots that in limbo such as where various banks have stood at the corner next to Morse Tavern, and then the Neighborhood Wrench spot across the intersection.

The Article is making its rounds these days through various Natick boards, including the Select Board (about 21 minutes into the Sept. 21 meeting and set for more discussion on Sept. 28). The Planning Board discussed it at the 1-hour, 46-minute mark of its Sept. 22 meeting and plans to continue hashing it out Oct. 6. The Finance Committee has Article 24 on its Sept. 27 agenda.

Director of Community & Economic Development Amanda Loomis told the Select Board that “What we’re looking to do is really create a transition zone from a commercial corridor into the neighborhood areas, but also increase walkability and the experience that a pedestrian would be using from either the St. Pat’s project, the senior center, the armory, etc….” Loomis said. This would provide for less density than is allowed downtown, but provide more opportunity for development than in regular residential zones.

Impatient drivers are going to miss cutting through that Neighborhood Wrench parking lot if this happens, but oh well…

 

Craftacular beer tasting at Skybokx 109 Sports Bar & Grill

Skybokx 109 has its big craft beer tasting event slated for Oct. 13 from 5:30-8pm. Advance tickets are $35 ($40 day of) and group tickets are available.

 

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