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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[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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When Pigs Fly to Close Locations in Brookline, Jamaica Plain

A Maine-based bread company is closing two of its retail outlets in the Greater Boston area.

According to an Instagram post from the business, When Pigs Fly is shutting down shops in Brookline and Jamaica Plain, with the note saying the following:

Thank You, Brookline & Jamaica Plain ❤️ After many wonderful years, our retail locations in Brookline and Jamaica Plain will be closing on August 17th. Unfortunately, we were unable to renew our leases. We are so grateful to both communities for your support, your love of great bread, and the memories we've shared. This isn't goodbye—our breads are still available at our Kittery, Lexington and Somerville locations and at SendBread.com. Thank you for being part of the When Pigs Fly family.

In addition to its retail stores, When Pigs Fly also sells its breads at markets and stores throughout the region, and a full-service restaurant can be found at the Kittery location.

(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.)

Great Harvest Bread Co. in East Lexington Is Closing; Catering Business to Remain in Operation

A retail bakery shop in the northwest suburbs of Boston is shutting down, though the business isn't going away entirely.

According to a Facebook post from the place, Great Harvest Bread Co. in East Lexington is going to be closing its doors, with the note saying the following:

With a full heart and deep gratitude, I want to share an important update: 21 years ago, I left corporate America to start my own business and now it is time to move on to my next venture....It has been my honor to provide you with sandwiches, breads, sweets and drinks each and every day. I cannot thank all of you who followed me from Lexington Center 9 1/2 years ago to the beautiful bakery that my two brothers built for me in East Lexington. And for all of you who found us when we moved and continue to support my business - THANK YOU!

The post mentions that the shop's last day will be August 2, though its catering business will remain in operation via a commercial kitchen in Lexington.

The address for Great Harvest Bread Co. is 233 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA, 02420. Its website is at http://greatharvestcatering.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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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.)

When Pigs Fly Is Opening in Lexington

A Maine-based bread company with three retail outlets in the Greater Boston area is getting ready to open a fourth, with this one being in the northwest suburbs.

A message sent by Leah Klein of City Living Boston indicates that When Pigs Fly is opening in Lexington, with a message sent from the company indicating that it plans to have a grand opening on November 28 and will open in a space in the center of town near where Massachusetts Avenue and Waltham Street meet. Once it opens, the new shop will join other outlets locally in Brookline, Jamaica Plain, and Somerville, as well as locations in Newburyport, Freeport, ME, and Kittery, ME (where their headquarters are and which is also home to a restaurant). In addition to its shops, When Pigs Fly also sells its breads at markets and stores throughout the region.

The address for the new location of When Pigs Fly in Lexington is 1756 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA, 02420. The website for the company is at https://sendbread.com/

[November 29 update: According to the company's social media, the Lexington location of When Pigs Fly is now open.]

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!

Bread Obsession Opens Retail Shop in Lexington

An artisan bread company now has its very own retail shop in the northwest suburbs of Boston.

A message sent by Leah Klein of City Living Boston indicates that Bread Obsession has opened a retail store in Lexington, moving into a space on Marrett Road by Spring Street. A Facebook post from The Lexington Farmers Market Facebook page says that "Today is opening day for Bread Obsession's new retail #bakery and they sold out within three hours!! Congratulations to Lexingtonians Joan Forman and Varda Haimo on their new #endeavor." The bakery is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and it will also be at the Lexington Farmers Market at The Waldorf School on Massachusetts Avenue on Tuesdays beginning May 31.

In addition to its new store and the farmers market, Bread Obsession's products can also be found in restaurants and shops in the local area.

The address for Bread Obsession's retail shop is 433 Marrett Road (Route 2A), Lexington, MA, 02421. Its website can be found at https://www.bread-obsession.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!

Hi-Rise Bread Company Opens at Boston Public Market

by Marc Hurwitz

A pair of Cambridge bakeries and cafes has expanded to a space in downtown Boston.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Hi-Rise Bread Company is now open inside the Boston Public Market near Haymarket Square, taking over the stall that George Howell Coffee used to reside in before it moved across the way to the former Taza Chocolate Bar space. The new location of the bakery-cafe offers a variety of breads, pastries, jams, and granola, and it will also be serving soups, salads, and sandwiches at some point in the future. The person behind all three Hi-Rise locations is Rene Becker, who also ran Shepard in Cambridge until it closed on New Year's Eve.

Other locations of Hi-Rise can be found on Concord Avenue in Huron Village and Mass. Ave. between Porter Square and Harvard Square.

The website for Hi-Rise Bread Company is at http://www.hi-risebread.com/

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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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George's Bakery Products in Medford Opens Outlet Store

by Marc Hurwitz

A bakery company that has been supplying bread and rolls to dining spots for more than 60 years has added a retail outlet.

According to a Facebook post from the business, George's Bakery Products in Medford opened a bakery outlet store to the public a couple of weeks ago, with the shop offering such items as sliced bread, rolls, wraps, and English muffins. The Hall Street store is open 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday and 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturdays.

George's Bakery Products distributes bread and rolls to such places as restaurants, sub shops and caterers in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Maine. Its address is 25 Hall Street, Medford, MA, 02155 while its website can be found at http://www.georgesbakery.com

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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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Somerville Bread Company Moving to Bigger Space Near Union Square

A bread company that opened a retail shop in Somerville early last year is going to be moving to a much larger space not too far away.

Eater Boston is reporting that Somerville Bread Company is moving from its current home on Medford Street in the Magoun Square/Winter Hill area of the city to a space near Union Square that is nearly five times the size of the original. The article says that the extra space will allow the business to expand its wholesale business to local dining spots while also offering more products at markets in the area--and it will be able to expand its bread-making classes as well. No moving date has been given as of yet for Somerville Bread Company, and an exact address has not been given, so stay tuned for updates. (The space where Somerville Bread Company currently resides will become home to Neighborhood Produce, a market that will sell fresh produce along with bread from the bakery.)

Nick Robertson first opened the Somerville Bread Company retail shop in February of 2016 after starting out as a bread company whose products were found at local farmers markets, restaurants, and shops; the address for the original space is 415B Medford Street, Somerville, MA, 02145, while its website is at http://www.somervillebreadcompany.com/

[November 29 update: Eater Boston states that Somerville Bread Company opens its retail operation in its new home at 201 Somerville Avenue tomorrow (Thursday, November 30) and that customers will be able to order via a walk-up bread window that is open Thursday and Friday from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM.]

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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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Somerville Bread Company Is Opening Shop Near Magoun Square

The person behind a bread company whose products can be found at local farmers markets, restaurants, and shops will open a retail store in Somerville.

Eater Boston is reporting (via a city planning staff report) that Nick Robertson of Somerville Bread Company is planning to open a shop on Medford Street in the space in the Magoun Square/Winter Hill area where Ilda's Antiques and Collectibles had been, with the store including a kitchen and a small retail section, though it appears that there will not be any seating. Based on what the business currently offers, it looks like the store would sell a variety of breads along with freshly-made bagels.

[February 8, 2016 update: A new article from Eater Boston states that Somerville Bread Company is now open on Medford Street.]

The address for this new bakery in Somerville is: Somerville Bread Company, 415B Medford Street, Somerville, MA, 02145. The website for the business can be found at http://www.somervillebreadcompany.com/

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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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Quinzani's Bakery in Boston's South End Is Closing, Selling Building

A commercial bakery in Boston that has been supplying local businesses for nearly 100 years is shutting down forever, with the family behind the place selling the building as well.

The Boston Globe is reporting that Quinzani's Bakery in the city's South End is closing next week and that its Harrison Avenue building is being purchased by an undisclosed buyer. In the article, co-owner Rob-Roy Quinzani says "It's been a long time coming....There's presently no one in the fourth generation to hand it down to," while a statement put out by the business mentions that they are working with the state office of Labor and Workforce Development to help their employees find new jobs. Quinzani's business will be taken over by Calise & Sons Bakery in Lincoln, RI, which will work with Piantedosi Baking Co. in Malden on most of the products.

[August 14 update: A Facebook post from The Sausage Guy indicates that Quinzani's Bakery closes its doors for good on Sunday at 2:00 PM.]

[October 21 update: Based on a Twitter post from last night, it appears that the building housing Quinzani's Bakery is in the process of being demolished.]

Quinzani's Bakery first started out as a pastry shop in 1919 in the old Combat Zone, eventually moving to its present-day location approximately 50 years ago, according to the Globe. The company supplies dinner rolls, sandwich rolls, French and Italian bread, and more to about 800 dining spots, caterers, and food service companies.

The address for the soon-to-close Quinzani's Bakery is 380 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, 02118.

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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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Saveur Includes Iggy's Among Its Picks of 20 Great American Bread Bakeries

A food and travel magazine has just come out with its picks for great bread bakeries in the United States, and a Cambridge bakery has made the list.

According to Saveur's website, Iggy's Bread of the World on Fawcett Street is one of 20 bread bakeries in America chosen, with the magazine stating that the husband-and-wife team behind the bakery "changed the Boston bread scene" when they first opened in Watertown in 1994. The article goes on to say that "their creations, from moist focaccia made from naturally leavened dough to hearty 7-Grain roll laced with wildflower honey, were revelations to locals raised on overly processed supermarket bread."

Other New England bakeries to make Saveur's list include Hungry Ghost Bread in Northampton, MA, Berkshire Mountain Bakery in Housatonic, MA, Seven Stars Bakery in Providence, RI, Standard Baking Company in Portland, ME, and Gerard's Breads of Tradition in Westford, VT.

To see the complete list of bread bakeries picked by Saveur, please go to the link below.

20 Great American Bread Bakeries


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Breads 'n Bits of Ireland in Melrose to Close

An Irish bakery in Melrose that has been in business for nearly a quarter century is getting ready to close its doors.

The Melrose Free Press/Wicked Local is reporting that Breads 'n Bits of Ireland, which is located on Main Street in the city's downtown area, will be shuttering in June. The article mentions that the bakery, which first opened more than 23 years ago, is closing down because the owner is "past retirement age and is ready for a break."

[July 2 update: Based on a note from a veteran poster on the Chowhound site, Breads 'n Bits of Ireland is now closed.]

Breads 'n Bits of Ireland has featured an array of baked goods over the years, including scones, Irish bread, and soda muffins. The bakery is also known for its soups, sandwiches, and beef stew.

The address for this soon-to-close bakery in Melrose is: Breads 'n Bits of Ireland, 530 Main Street, Melrose, MA, 02176.

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Clear Flour Bread Included in Bon Appetit's List of 10 Best Baguettes in America

Bon Appetit has just come out with a list of the 10 best baguettes in the United States, and the list includes a bakery in Brookline.

According to the article, Clear Flour Bread on Thorndike Street (just off Comm. Ave. near the Allston border) had their baguettes picked by the food magazine, with two other New England spots being picked as well by the editors--PB Boulangerie Bistro in South Wellfleet and The Standard Baking Company in Portland, ME. One other spot in the Northeast also made the list--Bien Cuit in Brooklyn, NY.

Clear Flour Bread is known its variety of freshly-made baked goods and pastries, including its sourdough bread, brioche, scones, croissants, and cookies. Our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants) has featured Clear Flour Bread as an under-the-radar spot to check out, with the review being at the following link:

http://www.hiddenboston.com/ClearFlourBread.html

The address for Clear Flour Bread is 178 Thorndike Street, Brookline, MA, 02446. Their website can be found at http://www.clearflourbread.com/

For a complete list of the places picked by Bon Appetit, please go to the link below.

The 10 Best Baguettes in America

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Results of Twitter Bread Poll

Our latest Twitter poll is now complete, with this poll focusing on the best bread in the Boston area. Our previous polls have included a coffee poll (Boston Common Coffee in Boston won), a meatball poll (Comella's in various locations), a sushi poll (Douzo in the Back Bay), a cupcake poll (Sweet Cupcakes in the Back Bay and Harvard Square), a steak and cheese poll (Carl's in Waltham), an ice cream poll (Richardson's in Middleton), a roast beef poll (Nick's Famous Roast Beef in Beverly), a chicken wing poll (Buff's Pub in Newton), a macaroni and cheese poll (Fat Cat in Quincy), a fried clam poll (JT Farnham's in Essex), an onion ring poll (Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage in Cambridge), a hot dog poll (Spike's Junkyard Dogs), a pizza poll (Santarpio's in East Boston), a burger poll (Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage), and a lobster roll poll (Neptune Oysters in the North End). Below are the winners of the Twitter bread poll:

1) When Pigs Fly, Somerville and Brookline (and various stores) (24%)
2) Iggy's, Cambridge (and various stores) (14%)
3) Fornax Bread Company, Roslindale (10%)
3) Twin Bakery, Winthrop (10%)

A number of other spots were picked in the Twitter bread poll, including the bread used at Alive and Kicking (Cambridge), Annarosa's (Salisbury), Big Sky Bread Company (Newton), Bova's Bakery (Boston), Clear Flour Bread (Brookline), Danish Pastry House (Medford), Hi-Rise Bread Company (Cambridge), Mamadou's Artisan Bakery (Winchester), and Sofra Bakery and Cafe (Cambridge).

Thanks to all of you who have voted in our Twitter polls. We will start another poll later in December, so keep checking back on our Twitter page at http://twitter.com/hiddenboston.

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