Popular Outdoor Retailer Closing + Hundreds Of Layoffs: MA Business Week

From a national retailer closing to a family-owned retailer opening at the Burlington Mall, it's been a busy week in Massachusetts business news.

Prefer to watch? Check out this week's Patch Food and Business Roundup in the video below, then keep scrolling for the written version.

Have a business story idea? Send it to jessie.castellano@patch.com

Popular outdoor retailer closes major Mass. store

REI Co-op will permanently close its store at 401 Park Dr. in Fenway on Aug. 13, according to the business. The chain first announced its Boston location would close back in October.

Layoffs rise to 231 at Central Mass. health center

Community Healthlink, the UMass Memorial Health-affiliated behavioral health provider, reported 231 layoffs in Worcester and Leominster to take effect Sept. 16, according to an updated Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filing with the state.

The latest number is up from 127 layoffs reported in June for Worcester, Leominster and Webster.

Family-owned retailer opens Burlington Mall location

gorjana opened its new store at the Burlington Mall on Thursday. The shop offers a range of jewelry, including 14-karat gold and diamond pieces, along with more affordable styles designed for everyday wear.

Popular coffee shop, luxury retailer open in Mass.

Ralph Lauren opened its eighth retail store in Massachusetts, right next to its famous coffee brand, Ralph’s Coffee, which is debuting in the state for the first time.

Beloved Central Mass. bar closes after 11 years

Halligan's Bar announced that its final day of business will be Dec. 12, ending an 11-year run at 889 Southbridge St. The owners said the decision was an emotional one but that they are looking forward to retirement, traveling and "enjoying our next chapter," in a message shared with customers on social media.

Brand-new sushi concept debuts in Boston

Happy Rice will open its first location at 53 Boston Wharf Road in the city's Seaport neighborhood. The eatery will offer classic and deluxe rolls, nigiri, sashimi, shareable sides and curated “Benefit Boxes” developed with input from nutritionists.

Cambridge breakfast spot closing after 20 years

IHOP has closed its restaurant at 16 Eliot St. in Cambridge. Franchisee Mark Justice confirmed to Patch that the restaurant would close, adding that customers can still visit the IHOP at 1850 Soldiers Field Road in Brighton.

Wholesale restaurant retailer to open in Worcester

Restaurant Depot has received site plan approval from the Worcester Planning Board for a 50,000-square-foot facility at the 51-acre GreenTech Park, located on the former Saint-Gobain and Norton Company campus, according to the Worcester Business Development Corporation.

More Massachusetts Business News:

• New Cafe, Bistro Coming To Historic Wayland Building
• MA Chef To Represent State At National Seafood Cook-Off
• Plans Call For New Building, Restaurant Space At North Andover Airport
• Marlborough Burrito Restaurant Opens Second Location In MetroWest
• New Flooring Business Debuts In MetroWest
• Marlborough Entrepreneur Opens Second Local Business
• Casual Burrito Chain Planned For MetroWest Shopping Center
• Beverly School Gets $4M Bond For New Campus Entry Building
• Salem Mack Park Community Farm Fest Back For 2026

Catch Up On Past Business Roundups:

• Beloved Restaurant Closures + MA Has Best City Hotel In U.S.
• Best Breakfast Sandwich In State + New Food Hall Debuts
• Well-Known Restaurant Chain + Longtime BBQ Spot Close
• Home Goods Retailer Expands + Trader Joe's Announces New Store
• Boating Retailer Shutters MA Stores + Beloved Sandwich Shop Closing