When in Worcester
Bostonista took a field trip to Worcester to profile and photograph fabulous curiosities and decor shop Seed to Stem for the September issue (“Natural Wonders,” page 26). As we suspected, there’s way more to Wormtown than metal shows. Keep these spots in mind for the next time you venture beyond 495:
Crompton Collective: Mobile shopping maven Amy Lynn Chase, who sells vintage clothing out of a restored teardrop trailer and a school bus, also owns this Canal District mall. Browse the handmade wares, antiques, and furniture from various vendors that fill the 8,000-square-foot space, or take in a workshop or trunk show. 138 Green St., 508-753-7303, cromptoncollective.com.
Armsby Abbey: This eatery’s stellar draft list alone makes the trip out west worth it. A sasion (think Stillwater Stateside) pairs well with the pork shoulder, pickled red cabbage, and Vermont cheddar sandwich on a housemade sesame ale roll—and this month, you’ll be able to buy Armsby Abbey’s fresh breads down the block at Crust, their long-awaited bakery. 144 Main St., 508-795-1012, armsbyabbey.com.
Worcester Art Museum: Pollock. Gauguin. Kandinsky. Monet. The marquee names are all here. But the big draw at this Worcester gem is the Chapter House. A limestone meeting room with vibrant stained glass windows from the Benedictine Priory at Saint John Le Bas-Nueil, it was the first medieval edifice to be rebuilt in an American museum in 1933. 55 Salisbury St., 508-799-4406, worcesterart.org.
Grime: Retail heaven is the the rack of oh-so-soft used t-shirts at this recently relocated vintage and buy-sell-trade boutique. There’s also a small selection of new clothing, $10 sunglasses, and Nike kicks for the guys. Pause for a photo with the King on the way out—yes, there’s a portrait of Elvis and his chest hair—and you could make it on the shop’s Facebook page. 356 Shrewsbury St., 508-755-5055, grimeclothing.tumblr.com.
