WORCESTER — A few days after the owner of @TheCommon, formerly known as the Midtown Mall, said the shopping plaza had mostly reopened, customers walking around the building found nearly all businesses remained closed.
The shopping center was initially shut down following a ceiling fire on Sept. 6.
Owner Felicio Lana told a T&G reporter on Wednesday, Sept. 24, that The Clock Beer & Wine, WooJuice, Concrete Collection, Evil Eye Tattoo, Worcester Common Fitness and Kim’s Jewelry had all reopened.
Lana said Odd by Worcester Brewing and Broth, a ramen restaurant, both owned by Jay Grey, would remain closed but were expected to open within the next month.
However, with the exception of Worcester Common Fitness and Kim’s Jewelry, all other businesses remained closed on Friday, Sept. 26.
Four of the businesses Lana said had reopened had locks on their front doors, their lights turned off and appeared to still need work before they could reopen.
Among those still closed was Evil Eye Tattoo. Owner Wes Ryan said Thursday, Sept. 25, that he wasn’t sure when he’ll be able to open his doors again.
Ryan said he was given the OK to reopen his business by property manager Kayla Melvin but when he went inside, he said it looked like a construction zone.
In his own shop, Ryan said, there was spackle and paint splattered across murals he estimated to cost $5,000 each, and water damage to the floor.
He was told these issues would be fixed, but as of Sept. 25, the damage remained.
Ryan said he had safety concerns for staff and patrons if he chose to reopen the doors of his tattoo shop.
Grey has set up a GoFundMe to support staff and repairs. Ryan said the best way to continue supporting his small business is to visit Evil Eye Tattoo’s other location on Grafton Street.
Attempts to reach Lana and Melvin for comment were also not immediately successful.
No reopening yet for most businesses in former Midtown Mall after fire
