The Place to Be
October 24, 2020 - Telegram & Gazette
WORCESTER — For years, developer Robert Mura’s commute to the city would take him past the white whale of his real estate career.
The building at 70 James St., with façade of fading bricks, awnings, canopies and signs, taunted Mura. He considered it a derelict billboard, unfitting of such a prominent place at the busy entry point to the city. He did not simply drive idly by. He stared critically and contemplated everything he would do to improve the 210,000-square-foot eyesore.
Mura and 70 James St. had history.
In 1985, he worked as the listing broker involved in the sale of the building. Before that, he briefly considered buying it himself. Even then, he worshipped the property not for what it was — old, dilapidated...
Chamber Recognizes Member Businesses with Annual Awards
October 2020 - Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce
For the sixth annual event, the Chamber took to Zoom for the first time to recognize some of the region’s most outstanding businesses, owners, and recent historic building restorations. The Annual Business Awards ceremony is held yearly to shine a spotlight on just a few of those members which are the driving force behind the strong and vibrant local business community, contributing to the Chamber’s mission to Recruit, Retain, and Incubate.
In what’s been an anything-but-easy year, 2020’s awards were especially important. As the COVID-19 pandemic caused closures, ensuing economic fallout, and modifications to our everyday lives, many Worcester area businesses, organizations, and people have persevered...