Velvet Vine Cafe in Acton Is Closing

A dining spot in the northwest suburbs of Boston that was known in part for its cocktails is shutting down.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Velvet Vine Cafe in Acton is going to be closing next month, with an Instagram post from the Great Road spot saying the following:

Well...this wasn't on the menu ... After a lot of thought, we've made the heartbreaking decision to close the doors of Velvet Vine Café ... We built something different. Something a little bold, a little moody, a little magical. We poured our hearts, our creativity, and countless sleepless nights into building something truly special and judging by all of you, we'd say we did that pretty damn well! Sometimes, an incredible concept just doesn't get the opportunity it deserves. While we created an experience people loved, the realities and challenges of our location ultimately made it impossible to continue. We'll leave it at that. But we're not leaving quietly...One Last Call at Velvet Vine July 10th & 11th 6 PM until Close.

Velvet Vine Cafe first opened in the early part of 2025 in the former Holy Grail space, focusing on small bites and mixed drinks while also offering some beer and wine options as well.

The address for Velvet Vine Cafe is 166 Great Road, Acton, MA, 01720. Its website is at https://velvetvinecafe.com/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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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]

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Crossroads Cafe in Acton Is Closing

A longtime restaurant and bar northwest of Boston is getting ready to shut down.

According to a source, Crossroads Cafe in Acton is closing after being in business for more than 30 years, with a Facebook post from the Nagog Park spot saying, "The rumors are true, Crossroads official last day of business will be April 18....It was a good run." The dining and drinking spot has been known in part for it classic American fare, pub food, and Italian and Mexican dishes, with its menu including such options as calamari, burgers, wings, steaks, baked scallops, linguine in clam sauce, ribs, liver and onions, fish tacos, and chicken parmigiana.

The address for Crossroads Cafe is 405 Nagog Park, Acton, MA, 01720. Its website can be found at https://crossroadscafeacton.com/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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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]

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Mayuri in Acton to Reopen, Taking Over the Former Ginger Court Space

An Indian restaurant in the northwest suburbs of Boston that lost its home is going to be reborn in a new space.

According to a source, Mayuri is planning to open back up in Acton, moving into the space on Great Road that had previously been home to Ginger Court. The dining spot, which had been at Nagog Park until being displaced when its building was torn down for new development, has been known for its mix of Northern Indian and Southern Indian fare, including a buffet; it is not yet known if the buffet will continue or if there might be any changes to its menu, so stay tuned for any updates as they come in.

The address for the new home for Mayuri is 342-344 Great Road (Acton Woods Plaza), Acton, MA, 01720. Its website is at https://mayuriacton.restaurant/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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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]

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Bueno Y Sano in Acton Has Closed; New Location Opens in Maynard

A location of a Mexican restaurant in the suburbs of Boston that was part of a group of dining spots based in the Pioneer Valley has closed, though a new location has opened not too far away.

According to a source, Bueno Y Sano in Acton is no longer in business, with an Acton Exchange article saying that the Main Street eatery has indeed shut down, while another outlet has opened at Maynard Crossing in Maynard. The Acton location first opened in 2012, while current locations (aside from the new Maynard one) can be found in Amherst, Northampton, Springfield, West Springfield, and South Deerfield, along with another in South Burlington, VT.

The website for Bueno Y Sano is at https://buenoysano.com/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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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]

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NY Bagel Factory Is Opening in the Former KJ's Caffe Space in Acton

A local group of bagel shops continues to be in expansion mode, as it has plans to open a new one northwest of Boston, taking over the space where a location of a pair of cafes had been until closing recently.

According to a source, NY Bagel Factory is planning to open a new location in Acton, moving into the former KJ's Caffe space on Great Road. Once it opens (possibly this fall), the new outlet will join others in Newtonville, Framingham, and Southboro, and based on those shops, the new one would likely be offering breakfast items, baked goods, sandwiches, and coffee in addition to bagels.

The address for the new location of NY Bagel Factory in Acton is 145 Great Road, Acton, MA, 01720. The website for the business is at https://thenybagelfactory.com/

[February 6, 2026 update: According to a source (Gary Goldblatt), the Acton location of NY Bagel Factory is now open.]

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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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]

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KJ's Caffe in Acton Has Closed

A pair of cafes northwest of Boston is back down to just one, as its newer location has shut down.

According to a source, KJ's Caffe in Acton is no longer in business, with a sign out front at the Great Road spot saying that "Due to high costs that everyone is unfortunately taking on, we will be closing our doors in Acton on Sunday, July 13." The sign does say that the location at 118 Chelmsford Street in Chelmsford will remain in operation.

KJ's Caffe first opened within the Brookside Shops in Acton in the early part of 2023.

The address for the now-closed location of KJ's Caffe in Acton was 145 Great Road, Acton, MA, 01720. The website for the business is at https://www.kjscaffe.com/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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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]

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Luna Mexican Cuisine Is Opening in the Former As Good As It Gets Cafe Space in Acton

A brand new Mexican restaurant is coming to the northwest suburbs of Boston, moving into the space where a location of a now-shuttered group of cafes has been.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Luna Mexican Cuisine is planning to open in Acton, taking over the former As Good As It Gets Cafe space at Nagog Park. An Acton Exchange article mentions that owners (and brothers) Adan and Julian Bracamontes are looking to "create an authentic Mexican atmosphere at Luna with a wide selection of native foods" while the article notes that their parents are behind dining spots in Marblehead and Northboro. If all goes as planned, Luna Mexican Cuisine could be opening this month.

The Acton location of As Good As It Gets Cafe closed in the spring of 2023, with the last of the cafes in Wilmington shutting down last summer (there had also been another in Norwood).

The address for Luna Mexican Cuisine is 20 Nagog Park, Acton, MA, 01720. Its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/luna.mexicancuisine/

[May 2 update: According to its social media, Luna Mexican Cuisine is now open.]

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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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]

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Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

Velvet Vine Cafe Opens in the Former Holy Grail Space in Acton

A new option for small bites and cocktails has come to the northwest suburbs of Boston, opening where a neighborhood pub had been.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Velvet Vine Cafe is now open in Acton, taking over the former Holy Grail space on Route 2A/119. The menu for the new spot includes such items as wings, mac and cheese bites, a cheese and charcuterie plate, stuffed mushrooms, martinis, margaritas, and old fashioneds, along with beer, wine, and cider options.

Holy Grail closed its doors last June after being in business for six years.

The address for Velvet Vine Cafe is 166 Great Road, Acton, MA, 01720. Its website can be found at https://velvetvinecafe.com/

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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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]

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Silver Girl Opens in West Acton

Earlier this year, it was reported that the people behind a specialty food shop west of Boston would be opening a restaurant nearby, and now we have learned that it is up and running.

According to a message sent to us, Silver Girl is now open in West Acton, and as mentioned in an earlier article here, the owners of the Arlington Street spot are Dawn (Eve) Aguiar and Tamara (Murray) Deluzio of Eve & Murray's Farm to Home on Massachusetts Avenue in the center of West Acton. The new restaurant offers food items with French, Italian, and Louisiana influences, with its opening menu including such items as warm olives, cheese and charcuterie plates, seafood gumbo, Tuscan vegetable ragu, Creole cassoulet, a wagyu smashburger, buttermilk panna cotta, and a variety of beer, wine, cocktail, and liqueur options.

For now, Silver Girl is open for dinner service on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through the first week of January, with the restaurant adding Thursdays starting in the second week of January.

The address for Silver Girl is 251 Arlington Street, Acton, MA, 01720. Its website can be found at https://silvergirl.us/

[Earlier Article]
Silver Girl Plans to Open in West Acton; Owners of Eve & Murray's Farm to Home Behind It

(Follow Marc on Bluesky at @marchurboston.bsky.social)

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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]

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Silver Girl Plans to Open in West Acton; Owners of Eve & Murray's Farm to Home Behind It

The team behind a specialty food shop in the western suburbs of Boston will be opening their very own restaurant.

According to a Facebook post from Eve & Murray's Farm to Home in West Acton, Silver Girl is planning to open nearby, with the post saying the following:

We'll be serving the best from our combined heritages - a bit Louisiana, a bit French, a bit Italian. All deliciously elevated comfort-food classics. The flavor combinations and flair we put into the sandwiches you love at Eve & Murray's will come together at lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch at Silver Girl. Coming soon-ish.

Dawn (Eve) Aguiar and Tamara (Murray) Deluzio will be opening Silver Girl on Arlington Street, which is just north of the center of West Acton and a short distance away from Eve & Murray's, which is on Massachusetts Avenue.

The address for the upcoming Silver Girl is 251 Arlington Street, Acton, MA, 01720.

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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]

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Ginger Court in Acton Is Closed

A Chinese restaurant in the northwest suburbs of Boston is shuttered, and it isn't known if it could return though it doesn't look good for the place.

According to a source, Ginger Court in Acton is locked up and dark, with a sign out indicating that the owners of the Great Road dining spot had until January 25 to vacate the premises and remove all personal property or the landlord would take possession of the space and remove the property themselves. It is not known what sparked this, nor is it known what might become of Ginger Court; if we receive any additional information we will post an update here.

The people behind Ginger Court also run Acton Asian Market on Great Road, which appears to remain in operation.

The address for the Ginger Court space is 344 Great Road (Acton Woods Plaza), Acton, MA, 01720.

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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]

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Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

 

Filho's Great Road in Acton Has Closed; Bella's Great Road Opens in Its Space

An Italian restaurant west of Boston has shut down, and a new Italian spot has opened in its space.

According to a tweet from @mrbcpa99, Filho's Great Road in Acton is no longer in business, with a Facebook post from the place saying "Thank you to all our Filho's Great Road Family, friends and Guests. It was a great 7 years." The Facebook post refers customers to Filho's Cucina in Groton which remains in operation, while @mrbcpa99 says that a new dining spot called Bella's has moved into the Filho's Great Road space--and a Facebook post from that restaurant confirms this, saying that "We've got exciting news! We are so excited to share that Bella's Great Road is officially open for business....Come out and dine with us!.

The address for the now-closed Filho's Great Road (and the new Bella's Great Road) is 59 Great Road, Acton, MA, 01720.

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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]

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Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

 

Beijing Tokyo in Acton Has Closed

A Chinese and Japanese restaurant in the western suburbs of Boston has shut down.

According to a source, Beijing Tokyo in Acton has closed its doors, with the website for the Nagog Park dining spot indicating that it shuttered at the end of business hours on Saturday, September 30. The restaurant, which first opened in 2018, has been known in part for its Chinese-American fare and its sushi, while also serving some Southeast Asian dishes as well.

The address for Beijing Tokyo was 103 Nagog Park, Acton, MA, 01720. Its website can be found at https://www.btsushi.com/

NOTE: We need your help, as Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is dealing with health issues and some major related expenses. Please donate at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

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[More restaurant openings/closings from the Boston's Hidden Restaurants site): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]

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As Good As It Gets Cafe in Acton Has Closed

A local trio of cafes is now down to two, as its newest location has shut down.

According to a source (Gary Goldblatt), As Good As It Gets Cafe is Acton is no longer in business, with a Facebook post from the Nagog Park spot saying the following:

IT IS WITH HEAVY HEARTS THAT WE HAVE MADE THE DECISION TO CLOSE OUR ACTON RESTAURANT EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY. The staffing crisis and inflation have taken a toll on our company. We hope you know that we did everything in our power not to come to this decision. We THANK YOU for the support over the past couple of years, you will all be missed.

The post refers customers to their locations in Norwood and Wilmington, which both remain in operation.

The address for the now-closed As Good As It Gets Cafe in Acton was 20 Nagog Park, Acton, MA, 01720. The website for the existing locations can be found at https://asgoodasitgetscafe.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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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]

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NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is currently dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate if you can at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

Santa Fe Burrito Grill Opens in Acton

Earlier this year, it was reported that a trio of fast-casual Mexican restaurants might be joined by a fourth location. Now we have learned that a fourth outlet has indeed arrived, though not the one that had been originally mentioned.

According to its website, Santa Fe Burrito Grill is now open in Acton, moving into a space near the Route 27/111 intersection just off Route 2. The new location joins others in Franklin, Weymouth, and Melrose, and another may still be in the works for Malden, though we have not heard any updates on that one of late.

Santa Fe Burrito Grill offers such items as burritos, nachos, tacos, tortas, and bowls.

The address for the new location of Santa Fe Burrito Grill in Acton is 297 Main Street (Route 27), Acton, MA, 01720. The website for all locations of Santa Fe Burrito Grill can be found at https://santafeburritogrill.com/

[Earlier Article]
Santa Fe Burrito Grill Plans to Open in Malden

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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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]

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NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is currently dealing with health issues and needs your help. Please donate if you can at https://gofund.me/76d8ba28, thanks!

Update: Rail Stop in Brighton, Red Raven in Acton Reopening After Being Closed for Much of the Winter

It looks like two more dining/drinking spots in the local area are getting ready to close for the winter.

According to a source, the Rail Stop Restaurant & Bar at Boston Landing in Brighton is going into hibernation effective Sunday, December 13, while a Facebook post from the Red Raven in Acton states that it begins its hibernation on Monday, December 14. The Rail Stop says in a Facebook post that "We have plans for reopening by the early Spring season, and we will surely be counting the days until then," with the Red Raven saying that "We are not sure how long this will last, but feel this is the best decision for our staff and to protect the viability of the restaurant." The two restaurants are the latest of many to either make plans to hibernate or already go into hibernation as the pandemic continues to lead to hard decisions for dining and drinking spots throughout the Greater Boston area and beyond.

The website for the Rail Stop Restaurant & Bar is at https://www.railstopboston.com/ while the website for the Red Raven is at https://www.redravenacton.com/

[March 31 update: A Facebook post from Rail Stop indicates that it reopens April 1 while the Facebook page for the Red Raven shows that it has already reopened.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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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]

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Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

As Good As It Gets Cafe Is Opening in the Bickford's Space in Acton

[Ed note: This article was updated to reflect new information given, including who is moving into the Bickford's space.]

What was once a local chain of family-friendly restaurants known in part for their breakfast dishes is now down to just two, while another local group of dining spots will be taking over one of its spaces.

According to a source, Bickford's in Acton is no longer in operation, with a check on the chain's website seeming to confirm this, showing that the Nagog Park outlet is no longer listed. With the closing of its Acton location, the only Bickford's outlets remaining are in Burlington and Woburn, with both of those being Bickford's Grilles while the Acton restaurant was a location of Bickford's Family Restaurant.

The Bickford's chain, which first started out in New York approximately 100 years ago, once had a number of locations throughout the Northeast; the headquarters for the company can currently be found in Woburn.

The address for the now-closed Acton location of Bickford's was 20 Nagog Park, Acton, MA, 01720. The website for the remaining two restaurants is at https://www.bickfords.com/

[August 14 update: According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, As Good As It Gets Cafe is planning to open in the Bickford's space in Acton, with a tweet mentioning this as well; once it opens, the new cafe will join others in Norwood and Wilmington (and soon, in Burlington as well).]

[March 23, 2021 update: According to a source, As Good As It Gets Cafe is now open in Acton.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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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]

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Please help keep Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants going by making a one-time contribution or via a monthly subscription. Thanks! (Donations are non-deductible.)

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Johnny Rockets in Acton Has Closed

A California-based chain of hamburger places that recently reopened one of its Boston-area locations is back down to two in the region.

According to a source, Johnny Rockets in Acton is closed, with a check on the locations section of the chain's website seeming to confirm this, showing only its Braintree and Burlington outlets (along with another restaurant in Agawam). No reason has been given for its closure, nor is it known what might move into the Massachusetts Avenue space, so stay tuned for updates.

The Braintree location of Johnny Rockets, which closed down in early January of 2018, opened back up late last summer.

The address for the now-closed location of Johnny Rockets in Acton was 387 Massachusetts Avenue (Route 111), Acton, MA, 01720. The website for the chain can be found at https://www.johnnyrockets.com/

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Fifteen Burgers in the Boston Area and Beyond]

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Sweet Tomatoes Pizza Opening in Acton

[Ed note: This article was updated to reflect the fact that this place actually has no connection to the Sweet Tomatoes locations in the Boston area.]

A new pizzeria is coming to the northwest suburbs of Boston, and it has an identical name to a local group of dining spots.

According to a source, Sweet Tomatoes Pizza is opening in Acton, moving into a space in the Powder Mill Plaza that had been home to a location of Papa Gino's. A brochure within the LMS Commercial Real Estate confirms this, showing that the eatery will indeed be coming to the site which is located along Route 62 near the Concord line.

A check on its website indicates that this eatery is connected to another Sweet Tomatoes Pizza in Sandwich, but it is separate from the Sweet Tomatoes found in West Newton, Newton Centre, Needham, and at Northeastern University in Boston. (This has been confirmed by a Facebook post, as well as a message sent from this group of restaurants which says the Acton/Sandwich spots are owned and operated separately.)

The address for the new Sweet Tomatoes in Acton is 82 Powder Mill Road, Acton, MA, 01720. The website for both the Acton and Sandwich locations can be found at https://sweettomatoesinc.com/

[November 12 update: A check on its website indicates that the new location of Sweet Tomatoes in Acton is now open.]

[December 23 update: A Wicked Local article seems to clarify the naming of the new Sweet Tomatoes in Acton, as the owner of both the Acton and Sandwich locations had been co-owner of the West Newton location of Sweet Tomatoes for 16 years before leaving the place recently.]

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Fifteen Pizzas to Try in the Boston Area]

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Makaha in Acton Is Closing

It looks like the Greater Boston area will soon be losing yet another old-school Polynesian restaurant.

According to a source, Makaha in Acton is shutting down, with a Facebook post from the place saying that the Great Road spot will be having a closing party on July 28 while a comment within the thread indicates that it will be shutting down for good on July 31. Makaha, which has been open for nearly 50 years, will soon join several other Polynesian places that have said farewell to the region, including such spots as Bali Hai in Lynnfield, the Royal Hawaiian in Burlington, Weylu's in Saugus, Aku Aku in Cambridge, Imperial Terrace in Quincy, Tiki Hideaway in Boston's Fenway neighborhood, and the South Pacific in Newton.

The address for the soon-to-close Makaha is 255 Great Road, Acton, MA, 01720.

by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Food Items from Asian Restaurants in the Boston Area]

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