Major Resort Expansion + Gaming Store Closures + Beloved Pretzel Chain Grows: MA Business Week

MASSACHUSETTS — From a popular resort expansion to a longtime gaming store closing stores across the state, it's been a busy week in Massachusetts business news.

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

Encore Boston Harbor reaches major hotel expansion deal

The Encore Boston Harbor casino will expand its footprint in Everett. There will be two new hotels on the property on Lower Broadway.

There will not be any gambling at the new hotels owned by Wynn Resorts, and the agreement calls for the group to pay up to $25 million for a potential Commuter Rail stop in the area.

Longtime gaming retailer shutting down a number of locations in Massachusetts

GameStop is set to close at least 12 stores in Massachusetts this year, according to multiple reports.

Closing locations could include Brookline, Malden, Chestnut Hill, Waltham, Stoughton, Methuen, Raynham, Lunenburg, North Dartmouth, East Longmeadow, Westfield, Holyoke, and Hadley.

Hot pretzel bakery eyes expansion with fourth Mass. location

Wetzel's Pretzels, known for its fresh-baked soft pretzels, will open a fourth Massachusetts location sometime in the fall of 2026. The new storefront at 25 Tobias Boland Way is the current site of a Walmart Supercenter.

Is Wegmans collecting biometric data on Mass. shoppers?

Wegmans, which has five stores in Massachusetts, has begun scanning the faces of anyone who enters select stores, sparking privacy concerns and testing customer loyalty.

More Massachusetts Business News:

• Popular Hot Chicken Chain To Open First MA Location
• Ramen Spot Opens In Popular Boston Food Hall
• Cornerstone Bank, Athol Savings Bank Finalize Merger
• Beloved Sudbury Bookstore Begins Next Chapter Under New Ownership
• Worcester-based Medical Insurer Set To Be Acquired By Mass General Brigham
• Malden Cuts Ribbon On Anticipated Affordable Housing Complex
• Sports Gambling Is Big Business In MA: Here’s A Look At Betting
• Nonprofit Semi-pro Soccer Team Coming Soon To Somerville
• Huge Scratch-Off Winner Sold At Tewksbury Store
• 4 Lucky Winners Hit Big Paydays On Tickets Sold In North Andover
• $1 Million Lottery Win A 'Perfect Storm' On North Shore

Catch Up On Past Business Roundups:

• Beloved Boutique Files For Bankruptcy + Furniture Retail Closure + Major Law Firm Merger
• Tech Company Files For Bankruptcy + Grocery Prices Up + Famous Pizza Coming To MA
• New Indoor Golf Bar Opens + Beloved Dress Store Closes + Insurance Company Layoffs
• Popular Chicken Restaurant Opening + Cheese Recall + Small Business Saturday