Early last week, it was reported that the Boston Inspectional Services had told at least one restaurant to stop selling groceries because it did not have the needed permitting to do so. Now we have learned that the rules are apparently being relaxed, though the exact details are still on the way.
According to WBZ 1030, the office of Mayor Marty Walsh is saying that dining spots in Boston will be able to sell grocery items, with specific information coming from the mayor in his press conference later today. This jibes with one of our sources telling us that there will be some kind of change of wording that allows restaurants to be able to do so, though we probably won't know more until the press conference.
A couple of weeks ago, it appeared that at least a handful of Boston dining spots were offering groceries along with takeout/delivery options in order to help stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic, but a few days later the city apparently started to crack down on this if the places didn't have what would appear to be a Food Service Health Permit. Other cities and towns in the Boston area are now allowing restaurants to be able to sell grocery items at least until the restaurant restrictions are lifted, including Arlington and Somerville.
[April 24 update: Mayor Marty Walsh said in his press conference this afternoon that restaurants are indeed now being allowed to sell groceries, including produce, paper products, and more. The dining spots will need to follow safety, packaging, and labeling guidelines, and they should sent a health safety operations plan to the licensing board. (Walsh also thanked the city of Somerville and Mayor Curtatone for helping Boston hash out its plans.)]
[Earlier Articles]
More and More Boston-Area Dining Spots Offering Groceries to the Public
City of Boston Cracking Down on Restaurants Selling Grocery Items
by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)
[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]
