Party Favors in Brookline Has Closed

A decades-old bakery in Brookline that was known for its cakes has shut down.

According to its Instagram page, Party Favors in Coolidge Corner is now closed, with the last day in operation for the Beacon Street shop being yesterday. There had an earlier note on its website saying "The news is true, after 35 years we are closing our doors. It has been a pleasure to serve you, and to be a part of your celebrations." while a Brookline News article quoted co-owner John Pergantis as saying that "There's no walking traffic anymore. People are still ordering stuff online. The cake business is great, but we can' t keep it going on just cakes without some other revenue coming in." Co-owner Mary Lynn Pergantis also states that "I don’t think people quite understand the volume of business it takes to pay the bills as a retailer....We really don't need this kind of space anymore, and we really can't justify paying the rent to be in this kind of space anymore."

The article does mention that the business could be reborn in a smaller space, with Mary Lynn saying that "Hopefully we can find something smaller and kind of work it a little differently and build it up and then be able to retire."

The address for the now-closed Party Favors was 1356 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02446.

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Weesh Bake Shop in Roslindale Closes Its Retail Shop; Business Will Continue Via Pickups and Popups

A retail bakery in a Boston neighborhood has shuttered after approximately five years in operation, though the business will continue on.

According to an article from Universal Hub, Weesh Bake Shop in Roslindale closed its retail shop at the end of last month, with owner Elyse Purbaugh saying the following in a Facebook post:

Retail has not been profitable for us and when two freezers and a dishwasher break and cost thousands, we need to keep the lights on. We absolutely love our repeat customers who come in for their weekly brownie or weekly M&M cookie and it breaks my heart to give them this news....Retail is not for the faint of heart and nor is being a business owner. Bringing joy to your special day is why Weesh started, and we fully intend to keep that promise.

Purbaugh mentions in a comment within the post that "We are not leaving Birch Street right now as we will continue pre-order pickups there (3x per week) and will host pop-ups! The only thing that will stop is our Saturday retail walk-in."

The website for Weesh can be found at https://weesh.com/

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Harvard Book Store and Lakon Paris Patisserie to Open Near Faneuil Hall in Boston

A beloved bookstore in Cambridge that has been around for nearly 100 years will be expanding to Boston, and it will be joined by a location of a local group of bakeries.

According to an article from Universal Hub, the Harvard Book Store is planning to open a second location just outside of Faneuil Hall, moving into a space on Union Street in the historic Yankee Publishing Building within the Blackstone Block, which the bookstore's website says is the oldest commercial district in Boston. The new store will be teaming up with Lakon Paris Patisserie which will run a cafe next door, while the bookstore will also offer wine at book talks along with other events. If all goes as planned, the new location of the Harvard Book Store will be opening sometime this fall.

The Cambridge location of the Harvard Book Store (which is located on Massachusetts Avenue in Harvard Square) was founded in 1932 while Lakon Paris Patisserie first started out in Newton Highlands in 2020 and now has locations in Newton Highlands, Brookline, Brighton, and Boston's Seaport District.

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About Thyme to Open in Cambridge's Harvard Square

A brand new Middle Eastern bakery is coming to Cambridge.

According to multiple sources, About Thyme is getting ready to open in Harvard Square, with a Harvard Crimson article mentioning that it will be moving to a space at the corner of Brattle Street and Mt. Auburn Street. The article states that the shop will be a Lebanese fast-casual bakery with seating for 13 people and that owner Taha A. Mikati plans to offer such items such as saj-baked wraps, labneh, coffee, and matcha.

If all goes as planned, About Thyme will open in early August.

The address for About Thyme is 1 Brattle Square, Cambridge, MA, 02138.

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Zinneken's to Expand, Opening a New Location in Downtown Boston

A group of bakery-cafes known for their Belgian waffles will be expanding to a new location, and this one should be popular with college students.

According to a message sent from Adam Castiglioni of @conciergeboston.bsky.social along with an article from What Now Boston, Zinneken's is planning to open by Boston Common and Emerson College, with an Instagram post from the business saying the following:

hey boston we've got something really sweet coming your way… Zinneken's Waffles is popping up at Boston Common think: warm, crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside Belgian waffles plus coffee  + ice cream  to keep you going (or treat yourself… no judgment) 

What Now says that the new location in Boston plans to open in the winter of 2027, with another in Amherst also coming (and that one could open this fall); both outlets will join the original location in Cambridge's Harvard Square along with others Providence and Glastonbury, CT (a food truck is also part of the business as well).

The address for the upcoming location of Zinneken's in downtown Boston is 98A Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02116. The website for the business is at http://zinnekenswaffles.com/

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Home.stead Bakery and Cafe in Dorchester's Fields Corner Is Closing

A bakery-cafe in Dorchester that is known for its deep connections to the local community is shutting down.

According to multiple sources along with a Facebook post from the place, Home.stead Bakery and Cafe in Fields Corner is closing its doors on June 20, with the post saying the following:

After ten years of being a third place for the wonderful Dorchester community, we have made the difficult decision with heavy hearts to close our door after June 20....We are deeply grateful for the friendships and support that you have given us over the years. It has truly been a privilege to have known you, and we would love to stay in touch. Thank you again for being a big part of our journey and our family in having created many beautiful memories.

No specific reason was given for the closure of the place, which first opened in March of 2016 and has been known as a business that supports local nonprofits and features works from local artists within their space.

The address for Home.stead Bakery and Cafe in Fields Corner is 1448 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, MA, 02122. Its website can be found at https://dorchesterhomestead.com/

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Lucky Stars Bakehouse to Open in Concord

A new bakery appears to be on its way to the western suburbs of Boston.

According to a post within the jobs section of the bostonchefs.com website, Lucky Stars Bakehouse is planning to open in Concord, saying in the listing that it will be "a new, mission-driven gluten-free bakery focused on baking a variety of breads and other baked goods (cookies, bars, etc.)." The address shown within the listing leads to a residential section of town while the website for the place is not yet up and running; as soon as an exact address and any other information is given in the place, we will post an update here.

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JulieAnne's Bakery and Cafe Plans to Open in Burlington

It looks like a bakery-cafe may be on its way to the northern suburbs of Boston.

According to a source, JulieAnne's Bakery and Cafe is planning to open in Burlington, moving into a space within The Shoppes at Simonds Park on Cambridge Street. A Patch article mentions (via a BCAT post) that the business plans to offer such options as pies, cookies, cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, and scones along with sandwiches and afternoon tea, and that owner Julie Lewis was once the bakery manager at the Burlington location of Wegmans.

If all goes as planned, JulieAnne's Bakery and Cafe could be opening in late April of May.

The address for the upcoming JulieAnne's Bakery and Cafe is 154 Cambridge Street, Burlington, MA, 01803. Its website can be found at https://julieannesbakeryburlington.com/

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Framingham Baking Co. in Framingham Is Closing

A bakery west of Boston that is known in part for its pizza is shutting down after more than 100 years in business.

According to multiple source, Framingham Baking Co. in Framingham is closing its doors, with a Facebook post from the Waverly Street spot saying "The End of an Era" while mentioning that it will be shuttering on March 29. Framingham Baking Co., which first opened in 1917, offers such items as sheet pizza, scali bread, rolls, biscotti, Italian cookies, cinnamon rolls, and more.

The address for Framingham Baking Co. is 840 Waverly Street, Framingham, MA, 01702. Its website can be found at https://www.framinghambakingcompany.com/

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Muffin House Cafe to Open in Canton

A local group of bakery-cafes with locations south and west of Boston will be opening a new location south of the city.

According to an article from MassLive, Muffin House Cafe is planning to open in Canton, moving into a space in the Cobb Corner Shopping Center on Washington Street. Based on other locations in Westwood, Natick, Walpole, Medway, Hopkinton, and Mendon, expect to see a variety of muffins along with breakfast and lunch sandwiches, bagels, toasts, pastries, coffee, and more.

It appears that the new location of Muffin House Cafe could open in April, though an exact opening date has not been given as of yet.

The address for the upcoming Muffin House Cafe in Canton is 22 Washington Street, Canton, MA, 02021. The website for all locations is at https://www.muffinhousecafe.com/

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Chef George Mendes to Open Agosto, Baby Sister in Boston's South End

An acclaimed chef who was once based in New York City and now calls Boston his home is planning to open not one, but two new spots in the city.

According to an article in Boston Magazine, George Mendes is planning to open Agosto and Baby Sister in the South End, with the former being a 45-seat restaurant on Washington Street with a chef's counter and a tasting menu, while the latter will be a bakery-cafe that is located next door (and both will have Portuguese influences). It looks like Agosto could open next summer, and Baby Sister is hoping to debut later next year.

George Mendes was the opening chef at Amar at Raffles in the Back Bay which opened in 2023, while also being behind Aldea, a Michelin-starred Manhattan restaurant with Portuguese and Spanish influences that closed in 2020 after more than 10 years in operation.

The address for Agosto and Baby Sister will be 1673 and 1679 Washington Street in the South End.

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Silver Whisk Bake Shop & Chocolatier Opens in the Former Emma's Macarons Space in Waltham

The person behind an online bakery business has opened a brick-and-mortar shop in the western suburbs of Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Silver Whisk Bake Shop & Chocolatier is now open in Waltham, moving into the former Emma's Macarons space on Moody Street. An earlier Waltham Channel Facebook post mentioned that owner Nancy Zhou is known for such items as gourmet cakes, chocolates, cookies, cupcakes and other sweet treats, and she focused on running the business online for ten years before opening the new shop in Waltham.

The address for Silver Whisk Bake Shop & Chocolatier (which is currently open on Fridays and Saturdays) is 248 Moody Street, Waltham, MA, 02453. Its website is at https://silverwhiskbakeshop.com/

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Hearth and Hug Opens in Somerville

Several months ago, it was reported that a Somerville shop known for its gourmet roasted nuts was closing and that a bakery with a location in Boston would be moving into its space. Now we have learned that the bakery is up and running--and that this is a move for the place rather than a second location.

According to an Instagram post from the business, Hearth and Hug Bakery opens today, with the note indicating that its official opening is Saturday. Below is what was posted:

We're so excited to finally open our doors and invite you in! Stop by today between 7am-12pm for our soft opening! While we may be limited on some menu items, we will still have coffee, drinks, breads, breakfast lunch, and tons of pastries to try! Can't make it today? Come by Saturday, the 8th for our grand opening! We can't wait to see you all!!!

Hearth and Hug Bakery had been located at Boston Public Market, but it closed in September in anticipation of a move to the new Highland Avenue storefront, which was previously home to Q's Nuts (Q's Nuts continues to operate within Boston Public Market).

The address for the new home for Hearth and Hug is 349 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02144. Its website can be found at https://www.hearthandhugbakery.com/

[Earlier Article]
Q's Nuts in Somerville Is Closing; Hearth and Hug Bakery to Replace It

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Michette to Open a New Location in Cambridge

It looks like a bakery in East Somerville is expanding to a space in Cambridge.

A message sent by Leah Klein of City Living Boston (via a Facebook post from Somerville City Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen) mentions that Michette on Broadway is planning to open just outside of Inman Square, moving into a space on Webster Avenue by the Cambridge/Somerville line. It appears that this will be a second location of the business, and based on the original, the new shop could offer such items as breads, croissants, cookies, sandwiches, coffee, and more.

Michette debuted in East Somerville in 2023.

It appears that the address for the upcoming location of Michette is 305 Webster Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02141.

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Flour Bakery + Cafe Is Opening in the Former J.P. Licks Space in Boston's Mission Hill

A local group of bakery-cafes is planning to open a new location, replacing a now-closed location of a local group of ice cream shops.

According to an article from What Now Boston, Flour Bakery + Cafe is going to be opening in Boston's Mission Hill neighborhood, taking over the former J.P. Licks space at One Brigham Circle on Tremont Street. Once it debuts (possibly around the beginning of 2026), the new location of Flour will join 10 others in and around Boston, including its newest location on Boston Common.

The address for the Mission Hill location of Flour Bakery + Cafe is 1618 Tremont Street (One Brigham Circle), Boston, MA, 02120. The website for Flour is at https://flourbakery.com/

[January 28, 2026 update: According to its social media, Flour Bakery + Cafe is now open in Mission Hill.]

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Jonquil's Cafe and Bakery in Boston's Back Bay Has Closed

A bakery-cafe in the Back Bay of Boston has shut down after being in business for approximately six years.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Jonquil's Cafe and Bakery on Newbury Street is closed, with "for lease" signs now up in the windows. Several weeks ago, the business said in an Instagram post that it was "closed until further notice" and to "please stay connected with us through our social media channels or contact us directly," but a subsequent reply indicated that it was not closing for renovations, hinting that it may indeed be a permanent closure which it apparently turned out to be.

The address for the now-closed Jonquil's Cafe and Bakery in the Back Bay was 125 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02116.

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Elephantine Bakery Opens in Boston's Fort Point Neighborhood

A bit more than a year ago, it was reported that a popular bakery-cafe on the New Hampshire seacoast would be expanding to a space by the Boston waterfront, and now we have learned that it is in the process of getting up and running.

According to an article from boston.com, Elephantine Bakery has soft-opened in Fort Point this week (though it is closed today and will be reopening tomorrow), moving into a space on Congress Street just east of Fort Point Channel. The new location joins the original in Portsmouth, and it is an "old-world bakery" that offers baked goods and pastries with French and Mediterranean influences.

The address for the new location of Elephantine Bakery in Fort Point is 332 Congress Street, Boston, MA, 02210. The website for the business is at https://www.elephantinebakery.com/

[Earlier Article]
Elephantine Bakery in Portsmouth Is Expanding to a Second Location in Boston's Fort Point Neighborhood

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Komugi Japanese Bakery & Cafe Is Opening Near Union Square in Somerville

It looks like a new bakery is on its way to Somerville.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Komugi Japanese Bakery & Cafe is making plans to open, moving into a space on Prospect Street a short distance south of Union Square. The website and Instagram page for the place indicates that it will be a Japanese bakery that uses Hokkaido flour (from Japan) and it will offer such options as sweet and savory buns, bread, donuts, croissants, cinnamon rolls, coffee, and more

The address for Komugi Japanese Bakery & Cafe is 68 Prospect Street, Somerville, MA, 02143. Its website can be found at https://bakerycafekomugi.com/ while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/bakerycafe.komugi/

[November 19 update: A poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page mentions that Komugi Japanese Bakery & Cafe is now open (Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only for now).]

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Angelina Plans to Open in Boston's Back Bay/Fenway Area

It looks like a brand new bakery is coming to a busy intersection in Boston.

According to a Bluesky post from @conciergeboston.bsky.social, Angelina is planning to open near where the Back Bay and the Fenway meet, taking over the space at the corner of Boylston Street and Massachusetts Avenue where a branch of Bank of America had been. A Bluesky post from @thedrewstarr.bsky.social mentions that this is part of a chain that got its start in Manhattan and which offers items with both Asian and Italian influences, including bombolones, cakes, gelato, pizza and pasta, sandwiches, and more.

The address for the upcoming Angelina is 133 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115.

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Bakey Is Opening at Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston

A small group of bakeries with a well-known Israeli baker behind them is about to be joined by a fifth location, and this one will be in the heart of Boston.

According to a press release, Bakey is slated to open at Faneuil Hall Marketplace on Friday, August 15, offering items such as babka, burekas, and challah, and this one will be the only outlet to offer the Boston Cream Babka year round. Once it opens at 4 S Market Street (by the front entrance of Quincy Market's West End), the new location will join others by Boston Common, Cambridge's Kendall Square, Brookline, and Newton.

Uri Scheft, who is co-founder of Bakey, is also behind Lehamim Bakery in Israel, and he co-founded Breads Bakery in New York City.

The address for Bakey can be found at https://bakeybabka.com/

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