The Deluxe Depot Diner To Open in Downtown Framingham

The empty train station depot in downtown Framingham will become a diner this summer, modeled after ones in Newton and Watertown.

After successfully opening two diners in Newton and Watertown, restaurateur Don Levy is ready to open his third in Framingham.   The Phantom Gourmet said Levy turned an old train station depot into one of the "coolest" restaurants in Newton. (Watch the attached video.) He now wants to do the same with Framingham's empty train depot downtown. The Deluxe Depot Diner located at 417 Waverly St. will occupy the existing Framingham train depot with an expected opening in Summer 2013.   The Phantom Gourmet said Levy turned an old train station depot into one of the "coolest" restaurants in Newton. (Watch the attached video.) He now wants to do the same with Framingham's empty train depot downtown. Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories …

•  9 Comments
• Photos (1)
• Videos (1)

Learning Zone To Open, After Metro Childcare Abruptly Closes

The Learning Zone, which already operates centers in Belmont, Waltham and Weston, expects to have slots for 102 children and 22 teachers in Framingham as of mid-March.

On Friday, Jan. 25, Metro Childcare Center unexpectedly closed its doors, leaving the families, and teachers, of about 80 children seeking alternatives. Three days later, local proprietor Melissa Ananais reached out to the building's property manager and toured the site at 63 Fountain St. Within the week, she had signed a lease to launch one of her own early childcare centers in the 7,000 square foot space. The Learning Zone, which already operates centers in Belmont, Waltham and Weston, expects to have slots for 102 children and 22 teachers in Framingham as of mid-March.   Ananais, who has owned and operated The Learning Zone continuously since 1994, became aware of Metro's closing when people came into her Weston center in tears, seeking…

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Framingham Family Opens Take-Out Mexican Restaurant

Mexico City Taquería opened last Wednesday on Route 135.

As a teenager Mayra Ramirez learned all about how to make delicious fresh, homemade cuisine growing up in Mexico City from her mama. Since coming to the United States 13 years ago, Mayra and her husband Francisco have both been working in the food industry. But last Wednesday, the Framingham couple opened Mexico City Taquería, a take-out restaurant specializing in serving tacos, burritos, and other Mexican dishes. Now, they are the owners. "We serve food just like I cook at home," said Mayra Ramirez. "Everything is fresh. Nothing is frozen." Ramirez's husband is one of the chef's at the Taquería, which specializes in tacos. The menu has nine types of tacos - including veggie, chorizo and fresh fish, along with the traditional "carnitas, …

•  6 Comments
• Photos (9)

Asian Specialty Market Opens on Route 9

Formosa Asian Market opened Saturday in Framingham.

Formosa Asian Market opened Saturday at 271 Worcester Rd. It is located in the plaza with Schezuan Gourmet and Play It Again Sports. The owner says this is the only Asian specialty market in MetroWest. Formosa Asian Market features fresh fruits, vegetables, Asian spices & specialties items. The market is owned and operated by Chia-Hsin (Eda) Chen, who recently received her MBA from F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business at Babson College. Her mission is to re-introduce Asian culture to people in area through food, diet and entertaining. Stop by and tell them you heard about it from Framingham Patch! And thanks to Framingham Patch reader Marlene Aron for the photos!

•  14 Comments
• Photos (4)

Villari's Family Martial Arts to Open New School, Regional HQ

The grand opening for the 4,200 square foot location in the Suburban Athletic Complex in Framingham is scheduled for January 2013.

The owners of Villari’s Family Martial Arts, as part of an aggressive New England expansion,will open both a family fitness center and regional headquarters in Framingham in early January. Extensive renovations and redesign are currently underway at the 10 Roxanna St. site. In addition to Shaolin Kempo Karate, Villari’s Family Martial Arts Center will offer classes in adult fitness, kickboxing and self-defense. Classes are structured for a diverse member base including children, parents, and busy professionals alike.   “Villari's is very excited about the opportunity to offer our innovative martial arts, after-school and personal development programs to families throughout the MetroWest,” said, Mark Grupposo, Villari’s president. “At …

• Photos (2)
• Videos (1)

Packed House for LandoZ Hometowne Grille Grand Opening

LandoZ Hometowne Grille held its grand opening Saturday.

LandoZ Hometowne Grille held its grand opening Saturday. Located in Pinefield Shopping Plaza, the grand opening coincided with Jingle Bell Day, celebrating Saxonville. Owners Sean and Brenda Lando were too busy to talk yesterday, with long lines and lots of order to fulfill; but before the opening Brenda told Framingham Patch, "LandoZ Hometowne Grille hopes to bring to Framingham family-friendly and affordable comfort foods ranging from mini slider burgers for the kids to the Big Dog and the Double Dog Dare challenge for the adults." Spotted inside were Selectmen Chair Charlie Sistisky and his fiancee Robin Kaye and Selectman Jason Smith with his family. Both said it was great to see residents supporting a new business. The crowd ranged …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (10)

UPDATED: California Company Opens Medical Marijuana Practice in Framingham

A medical company calling itself CannaMed of Boston has opened and has begun booking patients, who seek to be recommended medical marijuana.

Earlier this month, Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot question that makes the Commonwealth the 18th state to legalize medical marijuana. Beginning in 2013, patients with HIV, multiple sclerosis, hepatitis C, or other very serious and painful conditions can now obtain a card from the state permitting them to purchase and possess up-to a 60-day supply of marijuana. The new law also means a new business to Framingham. CannaMed of Boston has opened at 945 Concord St. It is a franchise of a California-based medical company. Framingham is its first location in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has been given oversight of implementing the rules of the new medical marijuana law, which takes effect in …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (5)
• Documents (1)

University Pizza To Open in Former Centre Pizza Location

The owners told Framingham Selectmen, who approved their license Tuesday night, they plan to open in mid-December.

Framingham State University students should be among the happiest with this news. The vacant Centre Pizza location will become University Pizza in mid-December, as Framingham Patch tweeted Tuesday night. Selectmen Tuesday approved plans for Dimitris Ntatsis and Dimitris Bokas to open the new pizza joint at 961 Worcester Rd, in the former Centre Pizza location. Centre Pizza, earlier this year, moved to down Route 9 to the plaza at the intersection of Worcester Road and Temple Street, the former Quiznos location. The owners, who have more than 25 years in the business, said they would like to expand from 38 to 40 seats. They said delivery will be until 9:30 p.m. This will be th owners' sixth pizza location.  

• Photos (2)

Patch Facts

5 Things You Need To Know Today: Oct. 15

Who's hungry for a Bloomin’ Onion® or a good porterhouse? According to a sign on Route 9, your wait shouldn't be much longer.

Our daily column, 5 Things You Need to Know Today, will help you to get your day started and offer you some fodder for water cooler conversation. 1.  Outback Steakhouse is coming to Framingham, according to the sign at the construction happening at the former Big Papi's location.  2. There is a free yoga class for veterans at Edwards Church tonight at 6. 3. Outgoing congressman Barney Frank will speak on the campus of Framingham State University Tuesday at 7 in the Dwight Performing Arts Center. The public is invited to this free event, spsonsored by the honors program. Frank, who doesn't represent Framingham, announced in Nov. 2011 he would be retiring. He has been a U.S. Representative since 1981. Republican Sean Bielat, whom Frank …

• Photos (1)

Patch Facts

5 Things You Need To Know Today: Sept. 8

Flyers football, 17th Annual Wheeler Cup today, car wash with cheerleaders, and Sweet Spot Frozen Yogurt all featured in today's column.

Our daily column, 5 Things You Need to Know Today, will help you to get your day started and offer you some fodder for water cooler conversation. 1. Framingham will travel to Natick today for the 17th Annual Wheeler Cup. The U14 girls will play at 3 p.m. The U14 boys at 4 p.m. The Flyers girls soccer team will battle Natick High at 6 p.m. and the boys varsity teams will play ay 8 p.m. 2.The Framingham Youth Cheerleaders, A-team, are holding a fundraising car wash today at Herb Connolly Chevrolet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. $5 per car. The 8th grade cheer squad is raising money to pay for choreography for their team competition. The cheerleaders already held a bake sale. Stop by & tell them Framingham Patch sent you. 3. The U.S.S. Constitution …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (3)

Cheryl Tully Stoll

11:07 am on Saturday, September 8, 2012

We tried it yesterday as well and thoroughly enjoyed it. Now I just have to find new routes home so I'm not tempted to stop too often.   more ›