WORCESTER— Anyone who’s ever had to abandon a perfectly good shopping trip to sprint back and feed a Worcester meter—two-hour limit, like clockwork—knows how fast the mood dies when that little countdown hits zero. But for the next several Saturdays, shoppers can relax: the meters are taking the day off.
Worcester shoppers get a break this holiday season: the city is rolling out free parking on Saturdays beginning Nov. 29, aligning the launch with Small Business Saturday and extending the incentive through Dec. 27.
The initiative covers all on-street metered zones as well as five municipal surface lots—40 Highland St., 96 Green St., 85 Water St., 51 Millbury St. and the McGrath lot outside the Worcester Public Library on Salem Street. Sunday parking at meters remains free as usual.
City officials say the move is designed to support Worcester’s independent retailers, restaurants, makers and markets during their busiest stretch of the year. Research cited by the city shows that for every dollar spent at a small business, about 70 cents stays in the local economy — circulating through local vendors, distributors and employees.
“We encourage the community to be intentional with their holiday shopping this season and support our Worcester small businesses,” City Manager Eric D. Batista said in the announcement. “There are many opportunities to support local vendors, makers, and businesses throughout the community over the next month, and all year long.”
The parking incentive complements a calendar full of vendor markets, pop-ups and holiday events. Shoppers can find more happenings in the Worcester Guardian, through Discover Central Massachusetts and the Worcester Cultural Coalition, which regularly update regional event listings.
