This. I spend more money outside Worcester than I do inside Worcester. Marlborough has retail, Shrewsbury has retail, but Worcester not so much.

The mercantile garage definitely isn’t empty during the week. When I’m in my office (right behind city hall) my lunch options are a giant ziggy bomb, $25 sandwich from 110 grill, or sub-rate falafel from Shwarma Palace. CVS is the only place to buy anything that’s not lunch - have you been in that CVS? It’s utterly depressing and not well stocked.

If there was more in the area I might spend more time in my office. And downtown is suffering, but Worcester in general is pretty sad when it comes to places to spend money.