by Marc Hurwitz
[Ed note: This article was updated several times to reflect new information given, indicating that this will be a move and not a second location, while a market will also open at the site as well.]
The person behind a Southern restaurant in Wakefield is in the process of opening a dining spot that is apparently in a new development a few miles closer to Boston.
According to some pictures put up on Facebook from Jonathan Post of The Porch in Wakefield, Post is working on opening a new restaurant, with the photos showing work being done at the site. A closer look at the pictures indicates that the space is located at the River's Edge development, which is just north of Wellington station and Route 16 on River's Edge Drive by the Malden River. A message from Post indicates that more information about the upcoming restaurant is on the way, so stay tuned for updates.
Jonathan Post first opened The Porch on Main Street in Wakefield Center in January of 2016; the restaurant offers traditional Southern dishes such as rib tips, brisket, fried chicken, BBQ pork, a fried bologna sandwich, collard greens, banana pudding, and more.
The address for River's Edge is 100 Rivers Edge Drive, Medford, MA, 02155 while the website for The Porch can be found at http://www.theporchsouthern.com/
[March 14 update: Boston Magazine states that the new restaurant coming to River's Edge will be The Porch, though it is not known if this will be a second location or a move from Wakefield.]
[June 6 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that this is indeed a move, as The Porch in Wakefield will be closing at the end of business hours on June 10 and it will reopen in Medford in the fall. According to a message sent to us from Jonathan Post, the restaurant will be in a much different space but it will be similar in spirit, while the Facebook update mentions that the new space will include a stage for live music, a large bar and cocktail lounge, pool tables, a private dining room, and a good amount of outdoor seating.]
[June 13 update: Eater Boston mentions that The Porch in Wakefield is now closed.]
[November 14 update: A new Facebook post from Jonathan Post indicates that construction has not yet started on the new location of The Porch in Medford, but that it"should be complete" by next spring--and Post will also be opening Freerange Market, a grocery store and cafe featuring "artisanal quality yet affordable food and consumer products," according to the market's Facebook page.]
[January 31, 2019 update: A post from the River's Edge Facebook page says that Freerange Market is now open.]
[February 21, 2019 update: Jonathan Post states on the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page that The Porch hopes to open sometime in early July, saying "Same food, totally different experience" in the post.]
[April 5, 2019 update: Wicked Local states that The Porch has received approval by the Medford City Council, and that it will be a Southern-style restaurant and entertainment center that includes a restaurant, bar, pool tables, and a stage for live music. If all goes as planned, the place should be opening around the second week of July.]
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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]
