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Worcester losing local restaurant as chain expands in city


  • The Taco Spot on Grafton Street (Facebook)

    A longtime locally owned Mexican restaurant in Worcester will close its Grafton Street location next month, just as a national Mexican restaurant chain prepares to open its second location in the city.

    The Taco Spot announced on social media on Thursday that its restaurant on Grafton Street will permanently close August 1st after its rent doubled. The family-owned business said it had hoped to find another location in Worcester but had not yet secured a new home.

    "This is not goodbye," the restaurant wrote, thanking customers for 5 years of support and encouraging them to visit its remaining location at 6 Hartford Turnpike in Shrewsbury, just over the Worcester line.

    The Shrewsbury restaurant will continue offering the same menu, dine-in service and delivery through DoorDash, Uber Eats and Grubhub.

    The announcement comes as Chipotle Mexican Grill prepares to open a new restaurant at 105 Stafford St. on Wednesday, according to an article on Patch.com. The location will be the chain's second in Worcester, joining its existing restaurant at The Trolley Yard on Park Avenue.

    According to Patch, the new Chipotle will be open daily from 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. The restaurant will feature the chain's customizable burritos, tacos and bowls, along with limited-time menu items including Chipotle Honey Chicken and Cilantro Lime Sauce. The company is also hiring crew members, kitchen leaders and service leaders for the new location.

    While Taco Spot's departure marks the loss of a locally owned restaurant in Worcester, its owners emphasized they are remaining in the area and hope customers will continue supporting the business at its nearby Shrewsbury location.

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