Thursday, January 24, 2013

Rosebud Diner in Somerville's Davis Square to Be Sold

The founder of a now-closed group of Italian restaurants--as well as a dining spot on the North Shore--is looking to buy a landmark eatery in Somerville.

The Somerville Patch is reporting that plans are in the works for the Rosebud Diner in Davis Square to be sold to Martin Bloom, who had been behind the Vinny Testa's chain and currently owns the Mission Oak Grill in Newburyport. The article says that while the exterior of the Summer Street diner would remain as is, the interior of both the diner and the restaurant space behind the diner would undergo renovations, and the menu would be updated.

Last February, it was reported that the folks behind Tasty Burger in Boston's Fenway neighborhood were apparently interested in the Rosebud space, but those plans fell through. (Tasty Burger now has new locations in Cambridge's Harvard Square and South Boston.)

The Patch says that the deal for the Rosebud is currently being finalized, and if all goes as planned, the sale would probably become official in late March or early April.

[February 1 update: The Boston Business Journal states that Martin Bloom has signed a purchase and sale agreement for the Rosebud Diner, with the closing of the deal happening this spring.]

[May 1 update: Eater Boston says that the Rosebud Diner plans to close on Sunday, May 12, which is Mother's Day. It isn't known exactly when the diner will reopen under new ownership.]

[May 6 update: Universal Hub Tweeted that the Rosebud Diner will be staying open for awhile longer, as a Facebook post on the restaurant's page says it could be open for the next month or so (or possibly longer).]

[May 8 update: The Somerville Journal reports that the Rosebud Diner will likely be changing hands by Memorial Day, so it appears that the diner will close toward the end of May, with renovations to follow. It still isn't known when the eatery might reopen; Bloom says in the article that he is currently looking for partners and investors for the restaurant, and he also indicates that the structure apparently needs some major renovations because it is in rough shape.]

[May 24 update: A post on Facebook indicates that the Rosebud will have its last show tomorrow night (Saturday, May 25). It also appears the place may be closing on Monday, May 27, but we will try to confirm this.]

[May 25 update: Davis Square Live Journal confirms that the last day for the Rosebud will be Monday, May 27.]

[May 28 update: The Rosebud Diner is now closed, with a note on their Facebook page from yesterday saying that "its time to say goodbye to the Grande Dame of Davis Sq."]

The address for the Rosebud Diner is 381 Summer Street, Somerville, MA, 02144.

Thanks to a poster on the Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook page for bringing this to our attention.