Cape Ann Works

10/13/2026

There are buildings in Rockport that you pass every day without necessarily thinking about all the lives that have passed through them. The Blacksmith Shop is one of those buildings.

Today, the historic property on Mount Pleasant Street is in the middle of a major transformation. Cape Ann Works is working to bring the long-closed Blacksmith Shop back to life as a combination restaurant, café, culinary training center and housing for people participating in its workforce programs.

But before it became a redevelopment project, the Blacksmith Shop had already lived several lives. And some of those stories are pretty remarkable.

https://www.blacksmithrockport.com/post/the-blacksmith-shop-a-rockport-story-being-written-again

Thank you Rockport MA Guide!

Preserving the stories, not just the structure One of the more interesting aspects of the renovation is that Cape Ann Works isn’t simply trying to make the building look old. They are trying to preserve the things that make it matter. The original forge remains and is planned to become a focal poi...

10/07/2026

What a start to the week—we’ve loved connecting with folks and supporting some awesome organizations lately, from Root Northshore to the Women's Fund of Essex County.

Today we’re heading to the Topsfield Fairgrounds to meet up with the North of Boston.

Learn more about our employment social enterprise—check out https://www.blacksmithrockport.com/our-story

Visit Blacksmith Café in Rockport, Massachusetts, and follow Cape Ann Works as it restores the historic Blacksmith Restaurant for a new chapter in the community.

10/07/2026

10/06/2026

What does your work look like today?

Ken was in the hayfield yesterday and thought this made a lovely picture to share with everyone!

10/05/2026

Listening as Sefatia Giambanco Romeo Theken bridge our regional fishing heritage and local fisheries with the next generation of culinary talent is inspiring—it reflects the exact kind of collaborative vision we strive for.

Root North Shore is a fabulous collaborative role model for social enterprise. At Cape Ann Works and The Blacksmith Shop Cafe, we are thankful to be standing with Sefatia and Root as partners—learning from their model, customizing it for Cape Ann, and growing our impact together in the years ahead.

Seeing Sefatia Romeo Theken bridge our regional fishing heritage and local fisheries with the next generation of culinary talent is inspiring—it reflects the exact kind of collaborative vision we strive for at Cape Ann Works. Root North Shore is a fabulous collaborative role model for social enter...

10/05/2026

Save the date!

Mark your calendars!! 🎉

09/30/2026

Exciting milestone at Cape Ann Works! 🚀

We are thrilled to share that The Blacksmith Shop—a staple of our workforce training and community revitalization efforts in Rockport—officially has a brand-new website!

A massive thank you goes out to our incredible mentor and volunteer, Bill Stella, whose dedication and hard work made this digital launch possible.

The Blacksmith Shop is a proud product of Cape Ann Works. This new site is more than just a digital face—it is a space designed to celebrate our journey, highlight our upcoming milestones, and connect with the Cape Ann community.

We invite you to explore the new site and engage with our mission:
• 📸 Share Your Memories: Head over to our contact page to upload your stories and historical photos of The Blacksmith Shop.
• 📬 Stay in the Loop: Sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest updates on our culinary and hospitality training initiatives.
• ☕ Check the Menu: Visit our cafe page to see what’s cooking and browse our newest seasonal menu items.

Thank you to every partner, mentor, and neighbor who continues to help us turn this vision into a reality. We truly couldn't do this work without your ongoing support.

Visit Blacksmith Café in Rockport, Massachusetts, and follow Cape Ann Works as it restores the historic Blacksmith Restaurant for a new chapter in the community.