Hospitality

Every employee at the restaurant – and soon two others across the street owned and operated by the same group – is taught the economics of running a restaurant, and to a greater extent, their own life, thanks to an open-book management style.

In a statement Monday afternoon, the U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts did not rule out prosecution of recreational marijuana businesses, even though the state voted to legalize the cultivation, sale and possession of the drug.

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission plans to forge ahead in developing a legal marijuana market in Massachusetts, despite uncertainty generated Thursday by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions' rescission of an Obama-era policy that directed federal law enforcement to adopt a laissez faire stance in states that have legalized marijuana.

Planet Fitness has opened at Marlborough's Apex Center of New England, moving across the street from its old location and doubling its size in the process.

Whole Foods will open its Shrewsbury location on Jan. 30, which will mark the natural and organic foods retailer's first Worcester-area location.

A 96-unit, 10-story apartment building just south of Becker College has sold for $9.7 million.

A federal judge has allowed the government to take control of and sell properties - including the Chameleon and Blackstone Tap buildings in Worcester - owned by Kevin Perry, Jr. a former restaurateur and businessman set to serve at least 14 years in prison for drug and money laundering offenses

The trends are going in the right direction for homeowners: an increase in prices and a sharp drop this year in foreclosures, both in Central Massachusetts and across the state. A tight supply market means finding a home is more difficult.

This past year was huge for the Worcester restaurant, entertainment and hospitality scene, with exciting announcements and openings.

Worcester Business Journal's annual Economic Forecast issue gives us a chance to take a step back and reflect on everything that happened in the past year, which we use to predict what will come for the Central Massachusetts business community in 2018.