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Photo: Noah R. Bombard
By Ellanje Ferguson
Downtown Worcester’s ever-growing dining scene is getting yet another addition in the fall of 2018, with the opening of Fuel America, a new coffee roastery and cafe.
Offering custom specialty coffees, espresso drinks, fresh-pressed juices, seltzer drinks, fresh baked goods, handmade breakfast alongside sandwiches, salads and fruit smoothies, Fuel America will also be an immersive coffeehouse and cafe experience — where the coffee beans will be roasted in plain site, throughout the space.
Fuel America will be located in Worcester’s Mercantile Center, the mixed-use office complex downtown and will be the coffee brands fourth location and the first outside of Boston.
According to a press release, a long-term, multi-year lease agreement was completed between Franklin Realty Advisors and Washington Capital Management, the owners and developers of Mercantile Center, and Fuel America, this month.
Fuel America at Mercantile Center will occupy 5,264 square feet on the street level at the corner of Front and Mercantile Streets — construction for the coffee shop will begin in the first quarter of 2018.
“We have always envisioned Mercantile Center as a must-visit destination, offering compelling food options for office tenants and area residents, especially for lunch-time and after-hours possibilities,” said Charles (Chip) Norton, president of Franklin Realty Advisors LLC, in a statement.
“The arrival of Fuel America marks a major step forward in realizing that goal as the first of our restaurants to open its doors.”
Roastery tours and coffee tastings will be scheduled as well and Fuel America will source local ingredients, including all creams and milks.
Fuel America will also serve local micro-brewed beers and wine options within the cafe.
“The addition of Fuel America Coffeehouse Roastery-Cafe will provide a new and unique option for those living and working in downtown, as well as anyone who visits Worcester, ” said Worcester City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. in a statement.
“We’ve been very impressed with the revitalization and attention to detail in the Mercantile Center and we wanted to be a part of that,” added Managing Partner, Jeff Bonasia.
“There is nothing in Worcester, or Boston for that matter, that’s going to be like the experience we’ll be offering,” he said.