20 | DECEMBER 10 - 16, 2021 | WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM
CITY LIVING TABLE HOPPIN’
THE NEXT DRAFT
Signature Brew Series — Altruist’s crowd-pleasing sour Barbara M. Houle Special to Worcester Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK
STURBRIDGE — Whenever people describe Altruist Brewing Co.’s beloved Berliner Weisse to me, it sounds as if they all hit play on the same prerecorded message: “I don’t typically enjoy beer, except for this one.” For instance, I fi rst heard about “Pucker Face” from a
baker who prefers ciders and wine to beer. And Gianna Manzi, executive pastry chef at Francesco’s Italian Bakery in Charlton, loved it so much she baked it into a cupcake. I’m always a little astonished that a sour ale can turn beer cynics into enthusiasts over epitomes like lagers or IPAs, but it makes sense. For wine drinkers, especially See DRAFT, Page 21
Michael Tomaiolo at his Atlantic Poke Marlborough location. RICK CINCLAIR/TELEGRAM & GAZETTE FILE
Atlantic Poke founder off ering franchising opportunities Barbara M. Houle Special to Worcester Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK
Michael Tomaiolo of Shrewsbury is a successful restaurant owner who recently announced that he’s looking to expand through franchising his fast-casual Atlantic Poke, a brand he fi rst introduced in 2018. Tomaiolo’s fl agship store opened in Lakeway Commons, 193 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, and this spring, Atlantic Poke secured a spot in a shopping plaza at 237 Boston Post Road W, Marlborough, across the highway from the Apex
Center. “The plan is to expand the brand fi rst in Massachusetts, then later possibly open franchise branches out-of-state,” said Tomaiolo, who fi rst posted franchising details on the Atlantic Poke website, www.atlanticpoke.com. The online marketing attracted interest and follow-up conversations, according to Tomaiolo, who looks to having franchisees who are aligned not only with the restaurant’s mission, but also who are eager to invest in their own success. He said he is committed to working with future franchisees any
way he can. Initial fees and investments for a single unit vary depending on location and other factors, he said. The COVID-19 crisis changed the landscape of the food and beverage industry, but for Atlantic Poke effi ciency of carry-out and delivery paid off . The healthy fast-casual category is here to stay, said Tomaiolo, and the pandemic showed that customer relationships and building loyalty are critical. Atlantic Poke is a company with organizational structure and professional See HOPPIN’, Page 21
Non-beer drinkers love Altruist Brewing Co.'s sour ale "Pucker Face." Altruist has brewed about seven different versions, including this riff with mango and dragonfruit. COURTESY OF ALTRUIST BREWING CO.
