Boloco to Close Its Sole Remaining Location; Downtown Boston Outlet Shuts Down September 25

What was once a local chain of restaurants will soon be officially gone, as its final location is going to be shutting down.

According to a Facebook post from the business, Boloco is closing its downtown Boston location, with the note saying the following:

It's been a hell of a ride. After 29 years, Boloco's last location--50 Congress St, Boston--closes for good on September 25. (Building has been sold, converting to residential.) 10,746 days down, 60 days to go.

Boloco's roots date back more than 25 years, with the Boloco brand replacing "The Wrap" in 2005; there had once been a number of locations throughout the Greater Boston area and elsewhere in New England including two others that have shuttered of late--at Boston Children's Hospital on Longwood Avenue and in Hanover, NH, the latter of which rebranded to BocaSoca under new ownership. All locations were known in part for their burritos and bowls.

The website for Boloco can be found at https://boloco.com/

[September 29 update: The Boston Business Journal states that Boloco in downtown Boston remains open for now, as it has gotten a reprieve and will continue to be in operation until at least October 16 as the new owner of 50 Congress Street has granted them an additional three weeks to operate.]

(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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Burrito Loco Opens in Allston

A brand new Mexican restaurant has come to Boston, and it traces its roots to a popular Mexican and Salvadoran eatery in Somerville.

According to a source (Sarah Wu), Burrito Loco is now open in Allston, with the address indicating that it has taken over the space that had been home to Bubbakoo's Burritos. The website for the new dining spot says the following:

In the early 1980s, Luis and Blanca Morales left their homeland with a dream of building a better life in America....In the early 1990s, they opened Taco Loco, a small taqueria that quickly became a local favorite for its vibrant, mouth-watering dishes. What began as a modest family venture soon grew into one of Boston’s best Mexican Salvadoran restaurants....Today, the Morales Group—a team of four brothers— continues to carry forward the legacy of Luis and Blanca. With the same commitment to quality and authenticity, they have expanded their culinary vision with Burrito Loco.

In addition to burritos, the new restaurant offers nachos, tacos, quesadillas, tostadas, chimichangas, and more.

The address for for Burrito Loco is 89 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134. Its website is at https://burritolocoboston.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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Istanbul Döner Burrito Is Opening at the Longwood Galleria Food Court in Boston

The people behind a Turkish eatery just north of Boston are opening a new dining spot within a food court in Boston.

According to a post from Istanbul Diner Cafe in Revere (via the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page), Istanbul Döner Burrito is opening at the food court at the Longwood Galleria, with the post saying "Turkish Mexican food is coming soon." Little other information has been given as of yet, though in the thread, co-owner Bekir Senates says that German döner kebabs will be one of the offerings.

The address for Istanbul Döner Burrito (and the Longwood Galleria) is 350 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115.

[December 15 update: Istanbul Döner Burrito is now open, with its menu offering such options as burritos, quesadillas, chips and dips, and baklava.]

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Boloco Closes Its Berklee Location in Boston; Financial District and Boston Common Locations Are Closing Before End of Year

A local chain of restaurants known in part for its burritos and bowls is closing one of its Boston locations today, and two other Boston outlets will soon be shutting down as well, leaving one remaining within the city--and even that one's future is up in the air.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Boloco is closing its restaurant on Boylston Street by the Berklee College of Music at 5:00 PM, with a note within the Facebook page of the chain saying that its locations on Congress Street in the Financial District and Boylston Street by Boston Common will be shutting down before the end of 2023. The note does mention that the outlet at Boston Children's Hospital will remain open for now, as will its Hanover, NH, restaurant, though a post from co-founder John Pepper hints that the future of those two locations may be in question as they both have "leases currently in negotiation and facing some uncertainty."

Boloco's roots date back approximately 25 years, with the Boloco brand replacing "The Wrap" in 2005; there had once been a number of locations throughout the Greater Boston area and elsewhere in New England.

The website for Boloco can be found at https://boloco.com/

[November 24 update: According to a source (Ron Newman), the Boylston Street location of Boloco by Boston Common is now closed, with the website for the business showing that that outlet is no longer shown on the site.]

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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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Viva Burrito Opens in Boston's Financial District

It looks like a Mexican restaurant in Boston that closed awhile back has been reborn in a new space in the city's downtown area.

According to Geoff Wong, who posted within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurant Facebook group page, Viva Burrito is now open in the Financial District, moving into a space by the corner of Franklin Street and Batterymarch Street. This appears to be a move, as the restaurant had previously been located on Staniford Street in the West End, with that space recently becoming home to a new location of Chilacates.

The address for the new location of Viva Burrito in the Financial District is 274 Franklin Street, Boston, MA, 02110. Its website can be found at https://www.vivaburrito.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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Santa Fe Burrito Grill Opens in Malden

Nearly a year and a half after it was first announced, a new location of a small group of fast-casual Mexican restaurants has debuted.

According to a source, Santa Fe Burrito Grill is slated to open today in Malden, moving into a space on Pleasant Street in the city's downtown area. The new outlet, which we first wrote about in the early part of 2022, joins others in Acton, East Boston, Franklin, Melrose, and Weymouth, and offers such items as burritos, nachos, tortas, tacos, bowls, and more.

The address for the new location of Santa Fe Burrito Grill in Malden is 205 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA, 02148. The website for all locations can be found at https://santafetogo.com/

[Earlier Article]
Santa Fe Burrito Grill Plans to Open in Malden

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!

Santa Fe Burrito Grill Opens in Acton

Earlier this year, it was reported that a trio of fast-casual Mexican restaurants might be joined by a fourth location. Now we have learned that a fourth outlet has indeed arrived, though not the one that had been originally mentioned.

According to its website, Santa Fe Burrito Grill is now open in Acton, moving into a space near the Route 27/111 intersection just off Route 2. The new location joins others in Franklin, Weymouth, and Melrose, and another may still be in the works for Malden, though we have not heard any updates on that one of late.

Santa Fe Burrito Grill offers such items as burritos, nachos, tacos, tortas, and bowls.

The address for the new location of Santa Fe Burrito Grill in Acton is 297 Main Street (Route 27), Acton, MA, 01720. The website for all locations of Santa Fe Burrito Grill can be found at https://santafeburritogrill.com/

[Earlier Article]
Santa Fe Burrito Grill Plans to Open in Malden

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!

Bubbakoo's Burritos Is Opening in Allston

A growing New Jersey-based chain of burrito spots is planning to open its first Massachusetts location in Boston.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page, Bubbakoo's Burritos is going to be opening in Allston, moving into a space within a new apartment complex at the corner of Brighton Avenue and Linden Street. The business got its start in Point Pleasant in 2008 and has locations that are either open or on their way in 17 states, including ones coming to Connecticut and New Hampshire.

A licensing board voting agenda page within the City of Boston website states that the address for Bubbakoo's Burritos is 89 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA, 02134. The website for the company is at https://www.bubbakoos.com/

[September 9 update: An article from boston.com indicates that Bubbakoo's Burritos is now open in Allston.]

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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Santa Fe Burrito Grill Plans to Open in Malden

A trio of fast-casual Mexican restaurants will be expanding to a fourth location--and a second one north of Boston.

According to a source, Santa Fe Burrito Grill is planning to open in an as-of-yet undisclosed location in Malden, with a Twitter post from Mayor Christenson saying, "Say hello to @santa_fe_grill which is the newest restaurant to be opening up in @TheCityofMalden and will quickly become my go-to place when I'm working the late shift at City Hall!" Once it opens, the new outlet will join existing locations in Franklin, Weymouth, and Melrose, the last of which debuted a few minutes north of Malden on Main Street last summer.

Based on the other locations of Santa Fe Burrito Grill, expect to see burritos, nachos, tacos, tortas, bowls, and more at the new spot.

The website for Santa Fe Burrito Grill can be found at https://santafeburritogrill.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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VR Las Amigas Is Opening in the Former Flaming Pit Space in Watertown

A new dining spot featuring pizza, Central American fare, and Mexican food is on its way to Watertown, and it will be moving into the space where a pizzeria that also served Armenian dishes had been.

A poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page states (via a post from the You Know You're From Watertown If... group page) that VR Las Amigas is opening in the old Flaming Pit space on Arsenal Street, with a picture of a sign out front mentioning that Flaming Pit has indeed permanently closed while VR Las Amigas will be "coming soon." Based on the sign out front, it looks like the restaurant will offer such items as pizza, tacos, and burritos.

Flaming Pit first opened in the fall of 2017, serving pizza, calzones, and wings, along with lentil soup, an Armenian summer salad, stuffed grape leaves, kebabs, and more.

The address for VR Las Amigas is 222 Arsenal Street, Watertown, MA, 02472. Its website will be at https://vrlasamigas.com/

[October 1 update: According to its website, VR Las Amigas 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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The Future of Boloco Appears to Be in Question

A local chain of restaurants known in part for its burritos is apparently in a fight for survival right now.

According to an article in the Boston Business Journal, Boloco is currently seeking a buyer, looking for lines of credit, and is attempting to renegotiate leases, all in order to remain in business, with co-founder John Pepper saying in a memo to shareholders that "I've had over six months to come to peace with the likelihood that this won't end well, but I know most of you haven't....I realize that for some of you this is a significant disappointment and loss, and for that I am deeply sorry." The article mentions that only two of the seven locations of the chain are currently open--in Lynnfield and at Boston Children's Hospital. 

Boloco's roots date back approximately 25 years, with the Boloco brand replacing "The Wrap" in 2005.

The website for Boloco can be found at http://www.boloco.com/

Thanks to Universal Hub for initially 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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La Reina Debuts within Taranta in Boston's North End

The person behind an Italian dining spot with South American influences in Boston's North End has debuted what is basically a restaurant within a restaurant in response to the ongoing restrictions places on eating and drinking establishments in the local area.

According to the Facebook page for Taranta, owner Jose Duarte has set up a new spot called La Reina, which is basically a pop-up within Taranta that offers tacos, pupusas, and burritos for takeout and delivery. A recent post indicates that La Reina debuted over the weekend, with the menu for the popup showing three types of tacos, four types of pupusas, and burritos with several meat/veggie offerings included.

Jose Duarte is also one of the people behind a new Peruvian restaurant called Tambo 22 in Chelsea which is temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The address for Taranta (and La Reina) is 210 Hanover Street, Boston, MA, 02113.

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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Tim Maslow Teaming Up with Mike Gurevich and Ania Zaroda of Mike & Patty's, Hot Box to Open Burrito Spot

It looks like a trio of well-known local restaurateurs will be opening a new dining spot together.

According to a poster within the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook page, Tim Maslow (formerly of Strip-T's, Ribelle, Whaling in Oklahoma) is teaming up with Mike Gurevich and Ania Zaroda (Mike & Patty's, Hot Box) to open a burrito joint, with an email indicating that the upcoming spot will be called Seis Pies, which means "Six Feet" in Spanish. No other information has been given at this point other than the fact that it will be "coming soon," according to the email, so stay tuned for updates.

Maslow's three restaurants are no longer in operation, while Gurevich and Zaroda's Mike & Patty's and Hot Box can be found in Boston's Bay Village and at Bow Market in Somerville's Union Square, respectively. (Another location of Mike & Patty's is slated to open at the upcoming High Street Place food hall in downtown Boston at some point.)

[July 5 update: Eater Boston states that Seis Pies debuts as a popup at Hot Box at Bow Market this Wednesday and Thursday (July 8 and 9), with hours being 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The Instagram page for Seis Pies can be found at https://www.instagram.com/seis_pies/]

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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Boloco in Copley Square Has Closed; Chick-fil-A to Open in Space

Last fall, it was reported that a chain of chicken places was planning to open in Copley Place, and it looked like it would be replacing a location of a local group of burrito spots. Now we have learned that the burrito place has shut down.

Universal Hub is reporting (via Ron Newman) that Boloco on Boylston Street is now closed, making way for what will apparently be the first location of Chick-fil-A within the Boston city limits. The sign out front refers Boloco customers to two other locations on Boylston Street--one by Boston Common and another near Berklee College. (Five other outlets can be found in and around Boston as well.)

Chick-fil-A currently has a handful of locations in the Greater Boston area, including in Brockton, Burlington, Dedham, Framingham, Peabody, and Woburn.

The address for the now-closed Boloco in Copley Square (and upcoming Chick-fil-A) is 569 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02116.

[Earlier Article]
Chick-fil-A Plans to Open in Boston's Copley Square

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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Zambrero Is Replacing Boloco in Cambridge's Harvard Square

It looks like a brand new Mexican restaurant with roots very far away is on its way to Cambridge, and it would be taking over the space where a location of a group of burrito places currently resides.

According to a source, Zambrero is planning to open in Harvard Square, moving into the space on Mount Auburn Street where Boloco is. A Harvard Square Advisory Committee page confirms this, while a Board of Zoning Appeal form mentions that the petitioner listed is Bianca Azzopardi, who is involved with the Australia-based Zambrero International. A check on the Zambrero website shows that this is a chain of Mexican eateries that started out in 2005 and currently has locations in Australia, New Zealand Thailand and Ireland; the chain is known in part for its efforts to tackle world hunger via the Plate 4 Plate program, which donates meals to people in need.

In addition to its Harvard Square outlet, Boloco also has seven locations in Boston and one in Lynnfield.

The address for the new Zambrero (and Boloco) in Harvard Square is 71 Mt Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138. The website for Zambrero can be found at http://www.zambrero.com/

[March 19, 2018 update: Eater Boston states that Zambrero opens in Harvard Square tomorrow (Tuesday, March 20), while a drive-thru location also opens in Warwick, RI, tomorrow as well; both locations will feature burritos and bowls, along with quesadillas, nachos, and tacos.]

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Prince Postale in Boston's North End Is Closing

A shipping store that also happens to serve food is shutting down.

Eater Boston is reporting (via North End Waterfront News) that Prince Postale in the North End of Boston is closing its doors, with owner John Sullivan saying "I want to thank everyone that has expressed their thoughts and gave me hugs on how I made a difference in their lives and in the neighborhood.....My landlord has been extremely good to me by allowing me the opportunity to be on Prince Street. I am forever thankful." The pack-and-ship shop focuses on moving and packing services along shipping crates and packing supplies, but it is also known for its burritos and other food items such as knishes, quesadillas, bagels, and more.

Prince Postale first opened a bit more than ten years ago.

The address for this shop in Boston's North End is: Prince Postale, 71 Prince Street, Boston, MA, 02113.

June 6 update: North End Waterfront News mentions that Prince Postale closes for good this evening.]

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Baja Betty's in Brookline Village Is Closing; Boca Grande to Replace It

A favorite spot for burritos in Brookline is getting ready to shut its doors for good, while a familiar name on the local dining scene will be taking over its space.

The Brookline Tab is reporting that Baja Betty's in Brookline Village closes on March 31 after two decades in business, with a location of Boca Grande moving into the Harvard Street space possibly in June. The article says that Baja Betty's owner Brett Albert isn't sure what he will be doing once the eatery closes, though it is possible that he may decide to open another dining spot somewhere.

Once it opens, the new location of Boca Grande will join its sole existing location in East Cambridge; its four other locations have all shut down, though the business is now under new ownership and there had been talk of new expansion on the way.

Baja Betty's, which first opened its doors in 1997, has been known in part for its Cal-Mex style burritos.

The address for Baja Betty's (and upcoming Boca Grande) is 3 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA, 02445.

[June 19 update: According to a Twitter post from @BostonTweet, the new Boca Grande opens in the former Baja Betty's space on Wednesday, June 21.]

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NYC's Dos Toros Taqueria May Be Expanding to Boston

A small group of burrito spots based in New York City is looking to expand, and its plans might include the local area.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Dos Toros Taqueria is hoping to open new shops in Boston as well as Philadelphia, Houston and Washington, D.C., over the coming years, with the plan being to open four to six new shops each year. Currently, 11 locations of Dos Toros are in operation in New York, with one more coming to the city next month and another on its way to Chicago sometime next year.

Dos Toros Taqueria, which started out in 2009 in the Union Square section of Manhattan, is known for its California-style Mexican fare, including burritos, tacos, and quesadillas. The restaurants were founded by Oliver and Leo Kremer, the latter of whom was a bass guitarist for the rock group Third Eye Blind.

The website for Dos Toros can be found at https://www.dostoros.com/

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Update: Boloco Closes Its School Street, Pearl Street Locations in Downtown Boston

[Ed note: This article was updated on October 28 to reflect the fact that two locations have closed.]

A local group of restaurants that features burritos has closed two of its shops in the heart of downtown Boston.

According to a Twitter post from @CappyinBoston, Boloco on School Street in the Downtown Crossing section of the city is now shuttered, with a note out front saying "It has been an honor to be a part of your neighborhood for nearly 7 years." The note also refers customers to its existing locations, including a nearby outlet on Congress Street. In addition, a second Twitter note sent this morning indicates that the Pearl Street location of Boloco in Boston's Financial District has closed as well, with the website for the eateries confirming this.

Other locations of Boloco can be found downtown and in the Back Bay, along with shops by Northeastern University, Children's Hospital in the Longwood area, Cleveland Circle in Brighton, Cambridge's Harvard Square, Lynnfield, Natick, and Wellesley. (Four other locations are in New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.)

Boloco got its start as a group of eateries called The Wrap in the late 1990s before converting to its present form approximately ten years ago.

The address for this now-closed location of Boloco in Downtown Crossing is 27 School Street, Boston, MA, 02108, while the address for the closed shop in the Financial District is 125 Pearl Street, Boston, MA, 02110. The website for Boloco can be found at http://boloco.com/

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[Related article from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): Slideshow--Twelve Dishes for College Students in the Boston Area]

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Boloco Is Closing Its Newbury Street Location

A local chain of restaurants that features burritos has decided to close one of its shops in Boston's Back Bay.

According to a post from @TheDrewStarr, the Newbury Street location of Boloco is shutting down, with a note from the chain saying that "After 15 amazing years, the time has come to say goodbye to our beloved Newbury Street location. Our lease ends on June 30th and, with so many other boloco restaurants a few short blocks away, we decided to let someone else take a stab at 247 Newbury Street." It appears that all other locations of Boloco--including nearby shops at Copley Square and on Boylston Street near Berklee--remain in operation.

Boloco was also in the news last week, with former CEO John Pepper stating that he has completed the re-purchase of Boloco from its private equity investors and is now heading up the chain once again.

The address for this location of Boloco is 247 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, 02116. Its website is at http://boloco.com/

[Earlier Article]
John Pepper Has Re-Purchased the Boloco Chain

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