Gardner welcomes Tata's Fonda and Artisans and More to downtown business scene

Gardner City is witnessing a vibrant surge in its business landscape, with the recent openings of two new establishments that promise to enhance the community's offerings. Tata's Fonda, an authentic Creole restaurant with a Puerto Rican twist, has opened its doors on Main Street, occupying the former Crown Chicken location. The restaurant, celebrated for its flavorful dishes like rice and pernil, aims to fill a gap in the downtown dining scene and reduce the number of vacant storefronts.

In addition, Artisans and More, an artist co-op, is set to launch on March 1 in the former Shower Glass location. This new venue will provide local artists a platform to showcase and sell their work, further enriching Gardner's cultural fabric.

These openings are part of a broader initiative by the city to revitalize vacant storefronts. Since the establishment of two revitalization districts in February 2022, Gardner has successfully reduced the number of vacant storefronts from over 40 to just 10 in the downtown area and 2 in the Timpani Boulevard corridor.

The meeting also highlighted ongoing developments in housing. Tony Molina of Molina Realty is converting the former Gardner News building into approximately 16 market-rate apartments, set to be available by April 1. This project is part of a response to the growing demand for housing in Gardner, which has seen a 5% population increase over the past 15 years, while the number of homes on the market has decreased by 21%. The city is actively exploring ways to streamline housing development to meet this rising demand.

In addition to business and housing updates, the community can look forward to cultural events, including a performance of "Into the Woods" at the Theater At The Mount and a Celtic music show at the library. The Garden Museum will also reopen on March 5, continuing its mission to showcase the city's rich history.

As Gardner continues to grow and evolve, the focus remains on fostering a thriving business environment and addressing housing needs, ensuring that the community remains vibrant and accessible for all residents.