Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Opening Shops in Boston's Back Bay and Fenway Along with Wellesley

Earlier this year, it was reported that the people behind a group of ice cream shops with roots in New York City were opening three locations locally--all of which are now open--and now we have learned that three more are on the way.

According to a post from Drew Starr within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is opening at the Lyrik development in Boston's Back Bay, while a check on the website for the business shows that outlets in the Fenway and in Wellesley are coming as well. Once these stores open, they will join others locally in Boston's Seaport District, Cambridge's Harvard Square, and The Street Chestnut Hill.

The website for Van Leeuwen, which got its start as a truck in NYC in 2008, can be found at https://vanleeuwenicecream.com/

[April 18, 2025 update: According to a source (Gary Goldblatt) and an article from The Swellesley Report, Van Leeuwen Ice Cream is now open in Wellesley.]

[June 24, 2025 update: According to a press release, the Back Bay and Fenway locations of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream are now open.]

[Earlier Article]
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream Is Opening Locations in Boston, Cambridge, and Chestnut Hill

(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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Le Petit Four Bakery Is Opening in the Former White's Bakery and Cafe Space in Wellesley

A French bakery in the western suburbs of Boston will be expanding to a second space, also west of the city.

According to an article from The Swellesley Report, Le Petit Four Bakery in Needham will be joined by another location in Wellesley, with the upcoming Washington Street outlet taking over the space where White's Bakery and Cafe had been until closing in 2020. The post mentions that owner Valerie Coullet hopes to open the Wellesley shop sometime in the fall once construction on the space is complete, and it will offer such options as fruit danish, strawberries brioche tart, blueberry muffins, cookies, apple turnovers, Kouign Amann, baguettes, sweet and savory croissants, pain au chocolat, and cinnamon rolls.

Existing locations of White's can be found in Brockton and Mansfield.

The address for the new location of Le Petit Four Bakery in Wellesley is 380 Washington Street (Route 16), Wellesley, MA, 02481. The website for the business is at https://www.lepetitfourneedham.com/

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

[February 20, 2025 update: According to both a source and a post from The Swellesley Report, Le Petit Four Bakery is now open in Wellesley.]

(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.)

 

ChocAllure Opens Brick-and-Mortar Shop in Wellesley

A high-end chocolate company now has its very own store, and it is located in the western suburbs of Boston.

A message sent to us indicates that ChocAllure is now open in Wellesley, moving into a space on Central Avenue in Wellesley Square. The shop offers a variety of handmade items including chocolate hearts, chocolate jewels, chocolate bars, and gift sets, and it also offers a Chocolate-of-the-Month Club Collection as well.

The address for the brick-and-mortar location of ChocAllure is 87 Central Street, Wellesley, MA, 02482. Its website can be found at https://choc-allure.com/

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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.)

 

Fastachi to Open in Wellesley

by Marc Hurwitz

A pair of shops featuring a variety of roasted nuts will soon be joined by a third location.

A message sent by Leah Klein of Leah's Life: Pearls and Oysters indicates that Fastachi is opening in Wellesley, with a sign out front showing that it is indeed on its way to Church Street. An earlier article from The Swellesley Report had mentioned that the shop would be coming to Wellesley, and that post shows a similar photo with signs out front and the windows papered over. It appears that the new location of Fastachi will open sometime this fall, though no specific opening date has been given.

Based on its other locations in Watertown and Boston's Beacon Hill, expect the new location of Fastachi to offer roasted nuts, handmade chocolates, nut butters, raw nuts, and more.

The address for this upcoming nut shop in Wellesley is: Fastachi, 24 Church Street, Wellesley, MA, 02482. Its website can be found at http://www.fastachi.com/

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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John Dewar & Co. Butcher Shop in Wellesley Has Closed

A butcher shop in the western suburbs of Boston has closed its doors after approximately 10 years in business.

The Swellesley Report states that John Dewar & Co. in Wellesley has shuttered, with a note from the place saying that "It has truly been an honor and our privilege to have had 'a seat at your table' over all of these years." The store's website says that customers who have any questions about the redemption of gift card can call them at (508) 638-7700.

Another location of John Dewar & Co. closed in Newton Centre in early 2012, with Sycamore restaurant taking over the Beacon Street space.

The address for this now-closed butcher shop in Wellesley was: John Dewar & Co., 277 Linden Street, Wellesley, MA, 02482.

Thanks to Dan Andelman of The Phantom Gourmet for bringing this to our attention.

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Gustare Oils and Vinegars Is Opening in Wellesley

A store with two Cape Cod locations that features olive oil and balsamic vinegar tastings is getting ready to open a third spot, with this one being in the western suburbs of Boston.

According to their Twitter page, Gustare Oils & Vinegars will be opening their tasting room on Central Street in Wellesley in late November. Once it opens, the store will be joining two other shops in Chatham and Mashpee, and like these spots, customers will be able to try a wide variety of olive oils and vinegars, including more than 40 high-quality products from around the world.

[November 29 update: According to their website, Gustare Oils & Vinegars will open in Wellesley sometime in December.]

[January 30, 2012 update: According to their website, the new Gustare Oils & Vinegars in Wellesley is now open.]

The address for this new olive oil and vinegar shop in Wellesley is: Gustare Oils & Vinegars, 90 Central Street, Wellesley, MA, 02482. Their website can be found at http://www.gustareoliveoil.com/

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