Greater Worcester

Like so many of the nation’s indoor shopping centers, the Galleria slowly died over the 20 years after it opened. Today, the former mall space is known as CitySquare.

As leaders, they ably represented two of Central Massachusetts’ longest-running institutions: each intricately tied to Isaiah Thomas. One turned his bequeathed library into the world’s preeminent repository of pre-20th-century print materials in what is now the United States. The other invoked the patriot printer’s name for its annual award to citizens who serve Worcester with distinction.

"I’ll admit that writing about the Worcester County restaurant scene spanning 35 years has made my head spin," writes Barbara Houle.

While Central Massachusetts business leaders have seen substantial diversification among small business owners in the past three decades, the same cannot be said for those among the area’s highest-paid.

How do you whittle 35 years of headlining business news down to a couple thousand words and a few pages? You don't. But here, we take our best shot to highlight the companies, individuals, and moments that left a lasting impression.

WBJ has an extensive physical photo archive from the days when businesses sent in black-and-white photos of their executives and new hires.

You can define success in myriad ways: holding your ground; uncompromising ambition; the relentless pursuit of excellence; steady as she goes; staying a step ahead. The one thing shared in common by the most-heralded and well-run companies Worcester Business Journal has chronicled over 35 years is a bit of all these things.

As a 1979 Holy Cross graduate, I returned to Worcester in September of 1980 to start my publishing career in advertising sales.

The House held its session open while the bill was advancing through the Senate and House Democrats hoped to pass the bill Thursday but adjourned until Monday after Republicans doubted the presence of a quorum.

Two of the four candidates to lead the Worcester-based state agency have current or prior connections to the commission.