The Lobster Pound in Manomet Reopens

A beloved seafood market located in a scenic location on the South Shore is back in business, reopening three years after it shuttered.

According to an article in the Plymouth Independent, The Lobster Pound in the Manomet section of Plymouth is open once again, with the shop reopening under new management on August 10. The article mentions that Tim Mahoney and Ryan Belval, who both come from Island Creek Oysters in Duxbury, are the new operators and are leasing the space, as the Collins family (who ran the business until 2023) still own the building in which it resides.

The reborn Lobster Pound will offer such options as lobster rolls, crab rolls, clam chowder, lobster bisque, shucked oysters, hot dogs, ice cream, and more, and picnic tables are set up outside the place.

The address for The Lobster Pound is 252 Manomet Point Road, Plymouth, MA, 02360. Its website can be found at https://www.instagram.com/lobsterpound.manomet/

(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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Union Square Donuts Is Opening at Derby Street Shops in Hingham

A growing local group of donut shops will be expanding once again, and this will be its first location south of Boston.

According to an Instagram post from the business, Union Square Donuts is planning to open in Hingham sometime this summer, moving into a space at the Derby Street Shops just off Route 3. Once it opens, the new location will join others in Somerville, Brookline, Boston, Cambridge, and Lynnfield, and it will offer donuts, coffee, tea, cinnamon rolls, and more.

The website for Union Square Donuts--which started out in Somerville in 2012--can be found at https://www.unionsquaredonuts.com/

[September 3 update: According to a press release, Union Square Donuts at the Derby Street Shops in Hingham 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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Barrel House Z in Weymouth Has Closed

A local brewery that resided on the South Shore for approximately ten years has very quietly shut down.

According to a Facebook post from the business, Barrel House Z in Weymouth is no longer in business, having closed its doors permanently on February 7. The post says the following about the closure:

And…that's a wrap.  For multiple reasons, Barrel House Z has closed its doors....The market has changed dramatically over the last 2-3 years. Demand for alcoholic beverages have declined generally, and demand for craft beer has declined specifically.  People are not going out as much for food and beverage. We attempted to pivot in the direction of the "experience" business, offering food and events/entertainment but found ourselves now not only competing with other breweries and tap rooms, but hospitality providers generally. In summary, we struggled mightily in the face of a shrinking market, rising costs to operate, and a substantial debt service that was taken on in the aftermath of Covid.  Less cash income + rising expenses do not make for a solid business, and we found ourselves in an untenable cash flow situation. 

Barrel House Z first opened on Woodrock Road in September of 2016, though its founder--Russ Heissner--has been in the business for a long time, being Harpoon's first brewer back in 1986.

The address for the now-closed Barrel House Z was 95 Woodrock Road, Weymouth, MA, 02189.

(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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Jojo's Opens in Weymouth

A new bakery has come to the South Shore, and the owner of a nearby bakery and charcuterie shop is running it.

Based on information from a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, along with the website for the place, Jordania Roach of Amorepas Kitchen in Quincy's Wollaston neighborhood has opened Jojo's in Weymouth, with the new shop residing by the intersection of Middle Street and Washington Street. A Facebook post from Amorepas Kitchen as well as its website mentions that Jojo's offers baked goods, charcuterie boards, and sweet treats.

The address for Jojo's is 644 Middle Street, Weymouth, MA, 02189. Its website can be found at https://jojosweymouth.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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Vitamin Sea Brewing Is Opening a Brewery and Taproom in Plymouth

Last summer, it was reported that an award-winning brewery in Weymouth was looking to open a second location on the South Shore, and now we have learned a bit more about it, including where it will be located.

According to a Facebook post from the business, Vitamin Sea Brewing is planning to open in downtown Plymouth, with the space including a taproom that will offer a variety of panini along with Vitamin Sea's beer options, and an event space will be set up as well. In July of 2023, Vitamin Sea mentioned a second location coming to the South Shore, including a blueprint for what would apparently be its new outlet.

The website for the business, which won Boston Magazine's 2019 Malt Madness (a people's choice award for best brewery in New England), can be found at https://vitaminseabrewing.com/

[May 28 update: A Facebook post from the business indicates that Vitamin Sea is now open in Plymouth at 98 Water Street, across from the street from the ocean, and it includes an outdoor patio along with indoor seating.]

[Earlier Article]
Vitamin Sea Brewing to Open a Second Location

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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.)

 

Vitamin Sea Brewing to Open a Second Location

It looks like an award-winning South Shore brewery is making plans to open another location.

According to a Tweet from the place, Vitamin Sea Brewing in Weymouth is looking to open a second outlet, mentioning "South Shore Things...Coming 2023" in the thread while also confirming that this will indeed be a second location and not a move from its home on Moore Road. The Twitter post also shows a blueprint for what will apparently be its new outlet, showing a bar area along with some other details on the space.

Vitamin Sea, which won Boston Magazine's 2019 Malt Madness (a people's choice award for best brewery in New England), currently has a seasonal beer garden in Cambridge's Kendall Square, and previously had a beer garden in Hull and a space at the Roslindale Substation. (The brewery first opened in Weymouth in the early part of 2019.)

The website for Vitamin Sea Brewing can be found at https://vitaminseabrewing.com/

NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is dealing with health issues and needs your help. 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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Cool Breeze Ice Cream Shoppe Is Opening by Nantasket Beach in Hull

A brand new ice cream shop is on its way to the South Shore, and it will be located across the street from a popular beach area.

According to a job post within the Craigslist site, Cool Breeze Ice Cream Shoppe is getting ready to open in Hull, moving into a space on Nantasket Avenue by Nantasket Beach. The post mentions that it plans to open within the next two weeks with seasonal hours being 12:00 PM to 9:00 daily. A website for the place does not appear to be up as of yet, nor are there any social media pages for the shop, so keep checking back for updates once we are able to find out more about the business.

The address for Cool Breeze Ice Cream Shoppe is 169 Nantasket Avenue, Hull, MA, 02045.

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

NOTE: Leslie Hurwitz, who is the father of Marc (the founder of this site) is dealing with health issues and needs your help. 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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Article Fifteen Brewing Co. Is Now Open in Rockland

Last summer, it was reported that a brewery on the South Shore was planning to move to a bigger location. Now we have learned that the move is complete.

According to its social media, Article Fifteen Brewing Co. has opened in Rockland, moving into the VFW Drive space in July after previously being on Route 53 (Washington Street) in Weymouth since 2017. The new facility includes a taproom and patio along with live music, games, and food trucks, while usually offering eight beers on tap.

The address for the new location of Article Fifteen Brewing in Rockland is 406 VFW Drive, Rockland, MA, 02370. Its website is at https://articlefifteenbrewing.com/

[Earlier Article]
Article Fifteen Brewing Plans to Move from Weymouth to Rockland

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!

Untold Brewing's Beer Garden at Derby Street Shops in Hingham Is Returning for Another Season

A South Shore brewery is bringing its beer garden back to a development off Route 3.

According to a press release, Untold Brewing is partnering with Derby Street Shops in Hingham to open The Green in Partnership with Untold Brewing in the space between REI and Kohl's starting June 4, with the beer garden including beer from the Scituate brewery along with wine, non-alcoholic fruited seltzers and special "tap takeovers" from other breweries. The space will include Adirondack chairs, picnic tables, and high-tops, along with lawn games and live music, and guests can scan QR codes to place food orders for pickup from one of the restaurants at the development.

The Green in Partnership with Untold Brewing will be open from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM on select Fridays and Saturdays.

The website for Derby Street Shops is at https://derbystshops.com/ while the website for Untold Brewery is at https://www.untoldbrewing.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!

Gelato & Chill to Close Its Store at the Derby Street Shops in Hingham

A small group of gelato shops is closing one of its locations.

A message sent by Leah Klein of City Living Boston indicates that Gelato & Chill is planning to shut down its outlet at the Derby Street Shops in Hingham after business hours on October 31, with an Instagram post from the company saying the following:

We have decided not to renew our lease at the Derby Street Shops. Our other locations in The Shops at Chestnut Hill and Time Out Market in Boston will remain open and continue to serve Artisanal Italian Gelato. However, we will offer online ordering gelato pints, gelato kits and cannoli at our 60 Sharp Street location in Hingham.

The Derby Street location of Gelato & Chill first opened in June of 2020.

The website for Gelato & Chill can be found at https://www.gelatochill.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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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.)

Article Fifteen Brewing Plans to Move from Weymouth to Rockland

A brewery on the South Shore is moving to a brand new location.

According to a Facebook post from the place, Article Fifteen Brewing in Weymouth is in the process of moving to Rockland, with a Patriot Ledger article from earlier this year mentioning that it will be reopening in a much larger space on VFW Drive that had been home to Kathy Corrigan's School of Gymnastics. The brewery, which had resided on Washington Street near where it intersects Middle Street, hopes to host events and feature live entertainment in the new space, which, like its old space, is a short distance off Route 3. 

No opening date has been given for the reopening of Article Fifteen, so keep checking back for updates.

The address for the new location of Article Fifteen Brewing is 406 VFW Drive, Rockland, MA, 02370. Its website can be found at https://articlefifteenbrewing.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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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.)

White's Bakery in Hingham Is Closing

A small local group of bakeries is getting ready to close another one of its locations, which means that only two outlets will soon remain.

According to an Instagram post from the place, White's Bakery at the Derby Street Shops in Hingham is shutting down on August 21, saying that "This was an incredibly hard decision to make, but it was the right one for us. It was not made lightly or due to the pandemic, but because it is the best course of action for our family at this time." This will be the second location to close over the past year or so, as its Wellesley outlet shuttered last summer. (Locations in Brockton and Mansfield remain in operation.)

White's dates back to 1980 with the opening of a shop in Florida, according to its website; the first location in Massachusetts opened in 1987 in Easton, with that one moving to Brockton. (Other outlets had once been located in Braintree and Canton as well.)

The address for White's Bakery in Hingham is 98 Derby Street, Hingham, MA, 02043. The website for the business can be found at https://www.whitesbakeryandcafe.com/

Thanks to Adam Gaffin of Universal Hub for bringing this to our attention.

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.)

Vitamin Sea Brewing Is Opening in Weymouth

by Marc Hurwitz

It looks like another brewery is on its way to the South Shore, and this one will be a very short distance from another brewery.

According to an article from Wicked Local, Vitamin Sea Brewing is planning to open in Weymouth, moving into a building on Moore Road that is around the corner from Barrel House Z on Woodrock Road. The post says that the place will include a taproom and a brewing area, and that it will be mainly a production facility, closing each night at 8:00 PM. If all goes as planned, Vitamin Sea Brewing could be opening as early as September.

In addition to the upcoming Vitamin Sea Brewing and Barrel House Z, another brewery that recently opened nearby is Widowmaker, which is located in Braintree just west of the Braintree Split.

The address for Vitamin Sea Brewing is 30 Moore Road, Weymouth, MA, 02189. Its Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/Vitaminseabrewing/

[February 8, 2019 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that Vitamin Sea Brewing opens its doors tomorrow at noon. (Thanks to a source for bringing this to our attention.)]

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Good Places to Get Beer in the Boston Area]

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Johnny Kono's Bar and Grill to Replace J.P. Greer's in South Weymouth

A longtime South Shore dive bar has closed, and a new dining and drinking spot with an ocean theme will be replacing it.

According to a tipster, Johnny Kono's Bar and Grill is taking over the space in South Weymouth where J.P. Greer's had been, with the new spot apparently being a "Key West-themed" restaurant and bar. Based on photos from its Facebook page, it looks like Johnny Kono's will indeed have a nautical vibe, as the pictures show such items as a surfboard, a few plastic fish, and a hurricane lantern hanging from the walls. No specific opening date has been given for the spot as of yet, but it does say that it hopes to be up and running by early April.

[March 25 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that the bar section of Johnny Kono's Bar and Grill is now open, and that the kitchen plans to be up and running by next week.]

[March 31 update: A new Facebook post from the place shows that Johnny Kono's is now fully open.]

J.P. Greer's had been in business since the 1980s, with the watering hole catering mostly to a local crowd.

The address for the upcoming Johnny Kono's Bar and Grill is 269 Park Avenue, South Weymouth, MA, 02190. Its Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/Johnny-Konos-Bar-Grill-857309441055423/

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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Hilltop Butcher Shop in Weymouth Has Closed

A popular butcher shop on the South Shore has shut down for good, and with it, an iconic name has officially disappeared from the Boston-area landscape.

According to one of our sources, the Hilltop Butcher Shop in Weymouth is no longer in business, with a Facebook post from the place indicating that it actually closed sometime last month. An earlier article from the Patriot Ledger hinted to this happening, saying that the store was simply not getting enough business to remain in operation, so owner John Caccavaro and general manager Greg Hay decided to shut it down.

The Hilltop Butcher Shop had originally been located in Braintree--along with a location of the Hilltop Steak House--until 2007 when the restaurant closed and the store moved to Weymouth; the Ledger says that Caccavaro and Hay took the shop over last December when it looked like High County Investors (the parent company) might try to close its doors. The original Hilltop Steak House in Saugus shuttered in the fall of 2013 after more than 50 years in business, with the landmark building being demolished in April of this year.

The address for the now-closed Hilltop Butcher Shop was 116 Main Street, Weymouth, MA, 02188.

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