Thursday, March 16, 2017

Fiorella's Taking Over Bondir Space in Concord

A few months ago, we reported that a well-known local chef had decided to put one of his restaurants up for sale. Now we have learned that the space will be taken over by the people behind a group of Italian spots.

According to a source, Bondir in Concord is planning to be replaced by a location of Fiorella's, with a message from Bondir owner (and former James Beard Award semi-finalist) Jason Bond confirming this. It is not yet known when Bondir will close or when Fiorella's may open, as the license transfer/permitting process will not begin until later this month, but if all goes as planned, Bondir may close sometime in May. (The Cambridge location of Bondir--which focuses mostly on New American fare--will remain open.)

Fiorella's has a location in Newton, with outlets of Fiorella's Express being found in Brighton, Cambridge, and Belmont; it appears that the proposed location of Fiorella's in Concord will be closer in concept to the Newton location, as it plans to be called "Fiorella's Concord" and the space is set up as a full-service restaurant.

The address for Bondir in Concord (and the new Fiorella's) is 24 Walden Street, Concord, MA, 01742. The website for Bondir can be found at http://www.bondirconcord.com/ while the website for Fiorella's is at http://www.fiorellasnewton.com/

[May 10 update: The Concord Journal is reporting that the planned liquor license transfer from Bondir to Fiorella's has been postponed after Police Chief Joseph O’Connor recommended that the transfer be denied, citing concerns about the background of the husband of listed owner Genevieve Karian. The article says that Remon Karian owns the other locations of Fiorella's, with Genevieve's lawyer Henry Dane saying that "The conclusion by police, which is based on no facts, is Remon Karian is the undisclosed co-owner (of Fiorella's Concord), and there are no documents to support that." The Concord Select Board is now expected to hold a public hearing on the license transfer on May 16.]

[May 18 update: A message sent to us indicates that plans are back on track for Fiorella's to take over the Bondir space in Concord, as the Concord Select Board approved of the license transfer earlier this week.]

[May 30 update: Bondir in Concord is now closed.]

[September 12 update: The Concord Journal mentions that the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission has approved of a liquor license for Fiorella's.]

[November 29 update: Eater Boston mentions that Fiorella's is now open in Concord.]

[Earlier Article]
Bondir in Concord Is Up for Sale

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[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]