Worcester, MA – On January 26, 2024, Lock 50, the Worcester Canal District’s esteemed restaurant and recipient of the Worcester Chamber’s 2016 “Silver Hammer” award, announced its closure through a succinct message on its Facebook page: “Lock 50 has closed. Thanks for your patronage.”
This announcement, occurring three weeks after news of Lock 50’s change in ownership, elicited public response on the restaurant’s social media platform. While specific details regarding the closure and future of the space remain undetermined, the restaurant provided additional clarification concerning the October ownership transition. Notably, comments on the closure post faced moderation restrictions.
Lock 50, residing at 50 Water Street, earned widespread recognition for its culinary excellence and innovative endeavors, such as the seasonal deployment of outdoor igloos to extend its patio enjoyment. This closure coincides with the impending closure of Maker to Main, the Canal District’s farm-to-table grocery store located on Harding Street, scheduled for January 27th.
After initially opening its doors in 2017, it quickly gained a reputation for its delicious menu featuring a blend of comfort foods and innovative dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. The menu changed regularly, but some of their most popular offerings included Lock 50 Wings, Lobster Tacos, Ribeye Steak, and Shrimp & Grits.
These developments suggest a period of transition within the Canal District. The long-term impacts on Worcester’s culinary landscape remain to be seen.
