CITY LIFE
TABLE HOPPIN’
Glazy Susan doughnut owners eager for opening at DCU BARBARA M. HOULE
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Susan and Joseph Skrzek are opening Glazy Susan in the DCU Center soon. They are photographed with their namesake glazy susan donut, left, and their guava cheesecake donut RICK CINCLAIR
making the doughnuts. Get ready to enjoy your favorite Glazy Susan doughnut with a cup of fresh-brewed Vietnamese coffee!
New Englanders loving PunchPops
The New England Burger Bah at Kelley Square’s Worcester Public Market got a recent surprise visit from Worcester Railers mascot, Trax. No word if he dropped in for a bite or chat. Executive chef Al Maykel of the former Evo Dining and Bootleggers Prohibition Pub in Worcester and Domenic D. Mercurio Jr., founder of Worcester’s Best Chef, operate the New England Burger Bah. Besides Trax, it appears parents of incoming college students in the city are bringing business to vendors at the public market Mercurio, the public market’s executive director, said he recently received a note from a college student’s dad who had ordered the Grafton Hill Angus Burger at the burger bah and told him it was the “best tasting hamburger” he has had in years. “Service was outstanding and the food was cooked to perfection. On a stressful day thank you for making such a delicious meal,” was the diner’s message. Compliments to the chef ! Visit www.worcesterpublicmarket.org for list of vendors and hours.
Franklin Park Zoo in Boston hosts a special display, “Boston Lights: A Lantern Experience,” through Nov. 1. The illuminating displays, presented by National Grid, are open nightly through Labor Day. After Labor Day, the display will be open Thursday through Sunday, continuing until Nov. 1. Hours are 6 to 10:30 p.m. For the full schedule and ticket prices, visit www.zoonewengland. org. Spanning the 72 acres of Franklin Park Zoo, Boston Lights has more than 50 large-scale displays composed of hundreds of colorful lanterns. Special features include dramatic arches, a walk-through 66foot long shark tunnel, a 26-foot tall giant panda, a 197-foot long dragon, whimsical ocean scenes, vibrant flowers, traditional Asian lantern scenes and more. “We are thrilled to bring this unique experience to Franklin Park Zoo inspired by the beauty of the natural world, incredible wildlife and rich cultural traditions,” said John Linehan, Zoo New England president and CEO. “We look forward to welcoming visitors of all ages as they immerse themselves in the beauty of the lights.” Marcy Reed, president National
If you have a tidbit for the column, call (508) 868-5282. Send email to bhoulefood@gmail.com.
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Nassim Aoude, co-founder of the Worcester based PunchPops, shares news that the company has sold more than a million pops since its New England launch last summer. Most of the company’s plans for this year were “squashed” as a result of COVID-19, said Aoude, but sales of the alcohol-infused PunchPops grew. Aoude and Michael Melkonian started the company together. PunchPops are promoted as a refreshing summer treat with a kick. The wine-based pops are gluten free, with 88 calories and 7.5% alcohol. No artificial sweeteners. Lemon ice is the original flavored ice pop. Raspberry was introduced this year. The pops are sold individually at a suggested retail price of $1.99; 12-packs, $19.99. Aoude said the product is avail-
‘Lantern Experience’ at Franklin Park Zoo
Burger Bah open for business
WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM
The husband-and-wife team formed Glazy Susan in the summer of 2018, making doughnuts at the Worcester Regional Food Hub and selling them at pop-ups. Their inspiration to open a shop came from experiencing and loving different doughnut flavors in doughnut shops they visited traveling across the country. Downtown Worcester development and the fact that the city was without an independent artisanal, from-scratch doughnut shop encouraged the couple to open in their hometown. Joe Skrzek is assistant director of budget and planning for the University of Massachusetts system and alum of the College of the Holy Cross, where he received a degree in economics. A pharmacist, Susan Skrzek graduated from Worcester State University with a degree in biology and received a Doctorate of Pharmacy from MCPPH-Worcester. She plans to work as a per diem pharmacist, allowing her more time to spend in the new business. Joe Skrzek continues to work for the University of Massachusetts and also helps with
Grid, Massachusetts, said the displays offer a wonderful opportunity for visitors to enjoy the zoo and all it has to offer. “The zoo’s programs and exhibits enhance our quality of life and we are pleased to do our part on behalf of the customers and communities we serve,” she said. All the lanterns are illuminated with energy-saving LED lights. The same health and safety measures in place for a daytime visit to the zoo are also in place for Boston Lights. Advance tickets for a designated day and time only. Safety protocols are listed on the zoo website and visitors are required to wear face coverings and social distance.
S E P T E M B E R 3 - 9, 2020
ans of Glazy Susan doughnuts welcomed news earlier this year that owners Joseph ( Joe) and Susan Skrzek would open a location inside Reign Café at the DCU Center. The couple last week announced that they would be selling their handcrafted, artisanal doughnuts in early September at the former Figs & Pigs DCU location. Talk about having a doughnut moment! Different in their flavors and just plain irresistible, Glazy Susan doughnuts will be sold on Saturdays and Sundays only, at a tent outside Reign Café until the café opens to the public later this fall. Until then, only the doughnuts, coffee, smoothies and other beverages will be available for take-out only. The weekend opening date is expected to be posted on social media. The Skrzeks are partners in Reign Café with Tam Le, owner of Reign Drink Lab in Dorchester, and Son Vo, owner of Kaizen in Sturbridge and Pho Sure in Shrewsbury. The partnership is a great fit, according to the Skrzeks, who previously had looked into the downtown location prior to DCU Center’s general manager Sandra Dunn suggesting they reach out to Le and Vo. The café project partnership got off the ground last year. Worcester natives, the Skrzeks said they take great pride in the city and they are excited to create something positive in Worcester in an otherwise difficult time. The decision to delay the grand opening of Reign Cafe to late fall is a result of COVID-19, according to Joe Skrzek. Once the café opens, customers will be able to sit inside and enjoy food, beverages and doughnuts, he said. “The perfect plan would have the cafe open six days a week, but everything now really depends on COVID-19,” said Skrzek. Glazy Susan’s owners not only are committed to making doughnuts from scratch, but also sourcing local ingredients. The mere word of the company name elicits a passionate response from devotees.
able in more than 1,300 liquor, grocery and convenience stores in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine and Vermont; online ordering and delivery is in 39 states. Visit https://drinkpunchpops.com; connect on social media. “Despite the competitive landscape, PunchPops has managed to remain the top seller in its current five states,” said Aoude. “Overwhelming success in Maine (the birthplace of the idea for the product) has catapulted the company to be one of the top performing wine suppliers in that state,” he said. Given the brand’s success in the New England region, the company looks to gain growth nationally with a focus on southern and western states, said Aoude.
