Startups

Joffrey Smith, CEO of Joffrey Smith Financial Group, officially opened his new location at 8 Norwich St. in Worcester, and unveiled his insurtech startup Concordia Exchange at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday.

PG Collaborative will allow entrepreneurs of color to come together, build relationships organically, and problem-solve issues unique to them.

Despite falling prices and increasing competition, marijuana business officials across the state, and particularly in Central Massachusetts, still see the cannabis market as primed for opportunity, with operators having to be smarter about the way they operate their marijuana businesses.

Sandwich shop Ziggy Bombs, which opened its first permanent location in December on Franklin Street in Worcester, plans to open a second store in Leicester. 

Framingham State University has named Christimara Garcia as director of its Entrepreneur Innovation Center.

The North Central Massachusetts Development Corp. in Fitchburg approved a $206,000 loan to help Salt and Life Café purchase its location at 159 Main St. in Groton.

The former location of a West Broadway restaurant sold on Wednesday for $1 million.

Beer has become big business. In Massachusetts, the industry supports more than 14,000 employees and, according to the Brewers Association, had an economic impact of more than $1.6 billion in 2021.

In February 2021, two artists and entrepreneurs created a new connection for artists, a for-profit glossy magazine featuring the work and writing of artists from around New England and the world: Juniper Rag.

Bri’s Sweet Treats, a Leicester-based chocolatier owned by Briana Azier, will open a location in the Worcester Public Market, expecting to begin serving her products in mid-January.