And the positive transformation continues….
The Transformation of Gardner MA in 3 Years of Mayor Nicholson – July 14, 2020 to July 13, 2023
Gardner Magazine Publisher Werner Poegel had the distinct honor of speaking with Gardner Mayor Michael Nicholson in his office on the occasion of completing his 3rd year. Listen to the interview on any device. CLICK PLAY.
Mayor Nicholson spoke of coming in to office during the pandemic when “3 months was 3 years.” “I’m really proud of the work that we’ve been able to accomplish here in Gardner. Amount of things that we’ve been able to do in terms of private development coming in, revitalizing the downtown, new park creation, new recreational opportunities, new city programming, … way more than I could have imagined…”
The Mayor spoke of the new Empire Tap Room and Lounge that will be taking over the first floor of the Bull Nose Building at 25 Main Street, the Bittersweet Cafe opening their new bakery coffee shop at the Garbose Building at 2 to 10 Parker Street (a 2nd location for them as they have a place on Newbury Street in Boston), and the Diamond Heart Art Studio opening in the old Wheelen Supply store Building. “We opened 33 businesses last year, we’ve got 7 so far this year, we’re expecting 12 by the end of the year.” Mayor Nicholson spoke of observing people using Park Street Park, “There were 4 or 5 people out sitting in the benches, walking along the trails that are there and just telling us how much they enjoy it.”
We spoke of more of the transformation, and true to form, at the end of the interview, the Mayor and his Executive Aide Colin Smith were off to see another new business saying, “We’ll have some more news for you soon” UPDATE July 15, 2023 – Chipotle is moving in to the former Santander Bank Building in the Timpany Plaza.