Little Lola’s owners “extremely excited to announce that we have closed”: But…

March 3, 2021 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

Little Lola’s has announced that its shop in South Natick on Eliot Street has closed, but that the owners are looking to find another full-size location later this year. The takeout spot with outdoor eating, and clutch slushies on hot days, issued the following post on Facebook:

“We have good news & great newsWe are extremely excited to announce that we have closed Little LolasThis may seem slightly odd but let us explain…

The good news – Our insurance agency could no longer insure the establishment as a restaurant due to the small size. In order to stay open we would have had to downgrade our menu and items which would have made it very difficult to keep open. Luckily with the help of our very gracious landlords – we were able to get out of the space.

The great news – we are opening another full size location in 2021Let us know where you want to see us.”

Lola’s Italian Groceria is still going strong in Natick Center.

Meanwhile, let’s hope something interesting takes the spot in South Natick that sits next to a realty office.

Natick, Massachusetts restaurants

February 26, 2021 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Natick offers a variety of eateries, from fancy to homey to chains. A slew of Asian restaurants dot the town from sushi-and-more to Chinese to Thai. Or you can try out Italian eateries, a classic Jewish delicatessen, authentic Mexican cuisine, or an old-timey dining car that’s been in operation for over 120 years. And don’t forget those necessities — pizza, ice cream, donuts, and coffee. Natick’s got you covered there.

Our most recent Natick restaurant visit was to Shanghai & Tokyo, located at the 54 E. Central Street strip mall that includes a convenience store, pizza place, dry cleaners, and salon.

Natick, Shanghai & Tokyo — Shanghai & Tokyo, 54 E. Central Street, Natick

Shanghai & Tokyo has an extensive menu with Chinese offerings, and Japanese choices that include sushi. Our takeout order included their chicken with cashew nuts dish. The chicken was beautifully tender, infused with a garlic sauce that was assertive but not overpowering. The depth of flavor extended to the cashews, which seemed to be stir-fried as part of the cooking process, rather than thrown onto the dish as an afterthought once cooking was complete. The portion size was generous, and the service was friendly and efficient from the time we called in the order until we received our expertly packed dinner.

Shanghai & Tokyo is open for lunch and dinner take-out, 7 days/week. The dining room is currently closed due to the pandemic.

You can read more about over 75 of Natick’s restaurants on our specialty page: Where to eat in Natick, Massachusetts.

Bon Appétit.

Restaurants in Wellesley—more than 50 options

Natick Business Buzz: 9 more small businesses get COVID-19 relief grants; Lawyer joins town’s Economic Development Committee; about that Huck Saxe Boulevard sign

February 14, 2021 by Bob Brown 1 Comment

Our roundup of the latest Natick, Mass., business news:

Small businesses get COVID-19 relief

Nine more Natick small businesses have been named as recipients of state COVID-19 relief grants.

The Baker-Polito Administration announced nearly $64 million in awards to 1,312 additional businesses in the seventh round of COVID relief grants administered by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC). Each business meets sector and demographic priorities set for the two grant programs.

Natick businesses reaped a total of $675,000 in grants during this round, each for $75K.

Awardees aren’t always obvious from the legal names listed in the awards spreadsheet, but a little searching shows restaurants such as Agostino’s restaurant and Natick Mall’s Kung Fu Tea are on the list, along with a few gyms.

Lawyer joins Natick Economic Development Committee

Andreia Precoma, a Natick lawyer, has been appointed to the town’s Economic Development Committee.

The committee is an advisory board tasked with attracting business development in Natick to maximize tax revenue and generate job opportunities, among other things.

Precoma told the Select Board that she hopes her legal expertise will be a useful asset for the committee.

About that Huck Saxe Boulevard sign

Have you ever wondered about that brown-and-gold Huck Saxe Boulevard Memorial Way sign at the northeast corner of North Avenue and Walnut Street in Natick?

It’s no coincidence that the sign, erected in late 2019, stands across from Natick Outdoor Store.

WWII veteran Haskell “Huck” Saxe founded Natick Outdoor Store as an Army-Navy surplus business in 1947, and the original store was in Framingham. The Natick store opened in 1978 on the site of an old grocery business and is run by Saxe’s son-in-law Henry Kanner.

Mr. Saxe passed away in 2012.

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Where to eat in Natick, Mass.

February 12, 2021 by Deborah Brown Leave a Comment

Natick, Pizza By Rocco — Pizza by Rocco is located at 3 Union Street in Natick.

Our most recent Natick restaurant visit was to Pizza by Rocco on Union Street, a place that offers big flavors in a small building. They’re known for their pizza, of course, but Rocco also offers up calzones, subs, salads, and more. We enjoyed the marinated chicken kabob dinner with grilled onions, peppers and tomatoes, served over fries.

You can read more about over 75 of Natick’s restaurants on our specialty page: Where to eat in Natick, Massachusetts.

Bon Appétit.

Interested in advertising on Natick Report’s regular restaurant listings post? Contact us at natickreport@gmail.com

Where to eat in Wellesley, Mass.

These 9 Natick small businesses got $370K between them in state COVID-19 grants

January 18, 2021 by Bob Brown Leave a Comment

The Commonwealth has announced $78.5 million in awards to nearly 1,600 additional small businesses in the third round of grants through the COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program, and nine Natick businesses were on the list. They individually scored grants of between $5K and $75K, for a total of $370K between them.

Recipients included businesses in the education, healthcare, restaurant, and personal care sectors, among others. Broadway Bound Dance Center and Planet Gymnastics both scored $75K grants, while Culinary Delights European Sub Shop was awarded a $20K grant.