Belmont Books (a Bookstore/Cafe) Is Opening in Former Macy's Space in Belmont Center

It looks like a new bookstore and cafe is on its way to the western suburbs of Boston.

According to a post in The Boston Globe, Belmont Books is planning to open in Belmont Center, moving into a two-floor space on Leonard Street where Macy's had been. The website for the business mentions that it will include a cafe/coffee shop that will offer muffins, pastries, lunch items, coffee, and tea, and that the bookstore and cafe will have approximately 4,000 square feet of space. If all goes as planned, Belmont Books may be opening by March of 2017, according to the site.

Last year, we had reported that a location of Foodie's Markets was going to be opening in the former Macy's space, but the signs for the market have been removed from the space and it is not known if they will still be opening in a section of the building. (We sent a message to the group of grocery stores--which has locations in Boston's South End, South Boston, and Duxbury--earlier this month but have not heard back.)

The address for this new bookstore and cafe in Belmont Center is: Belmont Books, 75 Leonard Street, Belmont, MA, 02478. Its website can be found at http://belmontbooks.com/

[July 6, 2017 update: The Facebook page for the business indicates that Belmont Books is now open, with a FAQs page saying that the cafe/coffee shop is called The Black Bear Cafe.]

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Ten Items from Bakeries and Pastry Shops in the Boston Area and Beyond]

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Bestsellers Cafe in Medford Is Closing (Again)

A combination bookstore/cafe that reopened two years ago after being shuttered for a long stretch of time is going to be closing again, though this time it appears to be for good.

According to a Facebook post from the place, Bestsellers Cafe in Medford Square is planning to close next month, with the note saying "It is with a heavy heart that we tell you that Bestsellers Cafe will be closing at the end of January, 2015 after 17 years of service to the Medford and surrounding communities. We decided not to renew our lease after unfavorable terms of any lease renewal....Thank you for everything you've done for us."

[January 6, 2015 update: The Medford Transcript mentions that the mayor of Medford met today with both owner Rob Dilman of Bestsellers Cafe and the landlord of the building to see if there was a way to get them closer together on the monthly rent, which is reportedly set to double. And while the bookstore's owner says the chances of the place staying open look a little better now ("more so than it did yesterday"), other issues surrounding the closing still exist. The owner does say that even if the store does close, the business will likely continue, with an online presence remaining in place.]

[January 30, 2015 update: According to a new post on its Facebook page, Bestsellers Cafe in Medford is now closed.]

Bestsellers Cafe closed for the first time back in the early 2007 for what appeared to be renovations, but it was boarded up for approximately five years before reopening in August of 2012. In addition to its bookstore and food offerings, the cafe has also had author events, jazz brunches, open mic nights, and family singalongs.

The address for this soon-to-close bookstore/cafe in Medford is: Bestsellers Cafe, 24 High Street, Medford, MA, 02155.

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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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Bestsellers Cafe Is Reopening in Medford

A combination bookstore/cafe in Medford that closed five years ago is getting ready to reopen.

According to their Facebook page, Bestsellers Cafe on High Street is going to be opening soon, with the Medford Square shop finishing up with renovations (based on photos shown) and talking about hiring workers for the place. The store closed back in the spring of 2007 for what looked to be renovations, but it has been boarded up ever since. A Medford Patch article mentions that once Bestsellers Cafe opens its doors, the bookstore and coffee shop will feature a deck looking out at the Mystic River, a larger counter that it previously had, and more retail space, along with used books.

[August 2 update: According to their Facebook page, Bestsellers Cafe officially opens today, though their grand opening won't be until the weekend of August 11-12.]

The address for this new bookstore/cafe in Medford is: Bestsellers Cafe, 24 High Street, Medford, MA, 02155. Their Facebook page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bestsellers-Cafe/118454511526675


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Book from Luke O'Neil: "Boston's Best Dive Bars: Drinking and Diving in Beantown"

A Boston-area journalist has written a book on some of the most interesting bars in Beantown.

Luke O'Neil, a writer whose resume includes writing for the Boston Globe, the Weekly Dig, the Boston Metro, the Boston Phoenix, Stuff Magazine, and other publications, has a forthcoming book called Boston's Best Dive Bars: Drinking and Diving in Beantown, which highlights 100 drinking establishments in the city. The book will focus on down-and-dirty places that are frequented more by locals than visitors to Boston.

The final release date is not quite set yet, but it is possible that Boston's Best Dive Bars: Drinking and Diving in Beantown could be out by late April (we will post updates here as we get them).

[May 4 update: According to the Amazon site, the book has been released and is in stock.]

[May 10 update: A book release party for Boston's Best Dive Bars: Drinking and Diving in Beantown is being held on May 24 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at T.C.'s Lounge on Haviland Street along the western edge of Boston's Back Bay. It is a public event, so if you would like to go, information on the party can be found at this Facebook link: Book Release Party -- Boston's Best Dive Bars: Drinking and Diving in Beantown]

A link to the book can be found on Amazon below:

http://www.amazon.com/Bostons-Best-Dive-Bars-Drinking/dp/1935439251

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