Fresh Boston in South Boston Has Closed

The South Boston location of a trio of upscale delis and specialty food shops has shut down.

According to an article from Caught in Southie, Fresh Boston on Old Colony Avenue is no longer in operation, with an Instagram post from the place saying the following:

Hi Southie — After nearly four incredible years, we've made the difficult decision to temporarily close the doors of Fresh Boston. This isn't the ending we hoped for. Like so many small businesses, the challenges of the last few years proved greater than we could overcome. We poured everything we had into this restaurant, and while this chapter is coming to an end, we are incredibly proud of what we built together.

The South Boston location of the business first opened in late 2022, joining its original location on Nantucket; both the Nantucket location and the newer Cambridge location at CambridgeSide will remain in operation.

The address for the now-closed Fresh Boston in Southie was 232 Old Colony Avenue, South Boston, MA, 02127. The website for the business is at https://www.freshboston.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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The Fresh Market in Framingham Is Closing

A chain of specialty grocery stores with three locations in Eastern Massachusetts will soon be down to two, as its shop west of Boston is shutting down.

According to a poster within the ChewOnThis Facebook group page, The Fresh Market in Framingham is closing its doors, with the shop shuttering at an as-of-yet undisclosed date (it is currently offering 25% off all items other than alcohol, according to the thread). While the Worcester Road store will be closing, it does look like locations in Hingham and Mansfield will remain in operation.

The Framingham outlet of The Fresh Market opened a bit under a year ago.

The address for the soon-to-close Fresh Market in Framingham is 84 Worcester Road (Route 9), Framingham, MA, 01702. The website for the company is at https://www.thefreshmarket.com/

[November 11 update: Based on the website for the business, the Framingham location of The Fresh Market is now closed, as it has been removed from the locations section.]

(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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Schubert Provisions Opens in Braintree Square

A new specialty grocery store has come to the South Shore.

According to a source, Schubert Provisions is now open in Braintree, moving into the space on Washington Street in Braintree Square where Bella Sei had been, just south of the Storrs Avenue/Elm Street intersection. The new shop focuses on plant-based, locally-sourced foods, offering fresh produce, frozen and refrigerated food items, and bulk foods, and it looks like the place will also be selling beer and wine at some point as well.

The address for Schubert Provisions in Braintree Square is 353 Washington Street, Braintree, MA, 02184.

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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Mayhew Wine Shop in Boston's Fort Point Is Closing, Moving to New Location

A wine, beer, spirits, and specialty food shop in the Fort Point section of Boston is shutting down, though it looks like it will be reopening elsewhere.

According to a Twitter post from @FortPointer, Mayhew Wine Shop on Melcher Street is closing its doors and is currently doing a liquidation sale, with a tweet from the store saying that it will be relocating over the next few months, though it doesn't give an exact address or neighborhood. Mayhew, which first opened in the spring of 2017, has been known in part for its free wine tastings every Thursday while its rear tasting room has also been available for private events.

The address for Mayhew Wine Shop in Fort Point is 20 Melcher Street Boston, MA, 02210. Its website can be found at https://mayhewwine.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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Fresh Boston Is Opening in South Boston

The people behind an upscale deli and specialty food shop on Nantucket are bringing a second location to South Boston.

According to its website, Fresh Nantucket will soon be joined by Fresh Boston, which will be located on Old Colony Avenue near where it meets Dorchester Street. The site for the South Boston location gives a bit of information on the upcoming outlet, saying the following:

It starts with the upscale deli that features sandwiches, salads and smoothies. But that's not all… we also feature liquor, fine wine and beer for purchase with prepared foods and a large cheese and charcuterie spread....Our new space in Boston will also have a full service bar with customizable charcuterie and sandwich boards. Local vendors will do featured wine tastings and pairings....We're bringing the Nantucket Island vibes to the city and adding even a little more juice. See you soon!

Fresh Nantucket first opened its doors in 2008.

The address for Fresh Boston is 232 Old Colony Avenue, South Boston, MA, 02127. Its website can be found at http://freshboston.com/ while its Instagram page is at https://www.instagram.com/freshsouthboston/

[Ed Note: The pending opening of Fresh Boston was first mentioned in a tweet by @In_Your_Court.]

[December 12 update: According to a post from Boston Magazine, Fresh Boston is now open in South Boston.]

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!

Crane River Cheese Club Is Opening Storefront in Boston's Beacon Hill Neighborhood

A delivery service on the North Shore that offers specialty groceries is expanding to a storefront in downtown Boston.

According to a Facebook post from Nick Giannotti of The Tip Tap Room on Cambridge Street in Beacon Hill, Crane River Cheese Club is planning to open a provisions shop next to the restaurant in the former Subway space, and based on the offerings from the Danvers-based delivery business, expect to find such items as bread, cheese, eggs, meats, poultry, seafood, vegetables, specialty oils, and more. Crane River Cheese Club was started by The Tip Tap Room's Brian Poe during the pandemic, offering the delivery of goods to communities mostly north of Boston.

The address for Crane River Cheese Club is 138 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA, 02114. Its website is at https://cranerivercheeseclub.com/

[August 2 update: A Facebook post from the place indicates that Crane River Cheese Club is now open in Beacon Hill.]

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!

Allium Market in Brookline's Coolidge Corner Is Planning to Close

It looks like a specialty food shop in one of the busiest sections of Brookline may be saying farewell.

According to Patrick Maguire of Maguire Promotions & Hospitality Consulting, Allium Market in Coolidge Corner is planning to shut down, with an Instagram post from Talia Glass of the Beacon Street shop saying that she is looking for a new owner and/or investors in the hopes that the store could continue on. In the meantime, the plan is for the shop to remain open through August and September, though Glass does say that if she doesn't find the right person(s) to take over the place by the end of September, October 3 will be its last day.

Allium first opened in late 2017, offering cheese, coffee, olive oil, pastries, and more.

The address for Allium Market is 1330 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA, 02446.

[October 5 update: A new Instagram post from the place indicates that Allium Market closed down over the weekend, as they were unable to find a new owner.]

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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Allium Market in Brookline Is Opening a New Location at the Innovation and Design Building in Boston

The person behind a specialty foods market in Brookline is opening a new location by the Boston waterfront.

According to a licensing board hearing page within the city's website, Allium Market is looking to open within the Innovation and Design Building along the waterfront, with the hearing notice indicating that owner Talia Glass plans to set up a kiosk there. The notice also mentions that Glass is seeking a retail package store malt & wine license, and that a proposed closing time for the spot would be 11:00 PM.

The original location of Allium Market opened in Brookline's Coolidge Corner in late 2017, offering such options as cheese, pastries and baked goods, condiments, soups, olive oil, coffee, tea, tinned fish, and more.

The address for the new location of Allium Market at the Innovation and Design Building is 1 Design Center Place, Boston, MA, 02210. The website for the Brookline store can be found at https://www.alliummarket.com/

[July 14 update: Caught in Southie mentions that Allium Market is now open at the Innovation and Design Building.]

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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Formaggio Kitchen Is Opening a New Location in Cambridge's Kendall Square

by Marc Hurwitz

A popular gourmet food shop with two locations in the Boston area is going to be opening a third, as it also gets ready for a special anniversary.

According to an article in Cambridge Day, Formaggio Kitchen is planning to open a new outlet on the edge of Cambridge's Kendall Square (next to Lord Hobo), with the Hampshire Street spot having approximately 2,500 square feet of space, a small retail section, and a large kitchen. Once it opens, the new location of Formaggio will join others in Cambridge's Huron Village and Boston's South End, along with a small branch on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

If all goes well, Formaggio's will open in September, possibly in time for the 40th anniversary celebration at the original Huron Avenue location on September 23.

The address for this upcoming specialty food shop is: Formaggio Kitchen, 94 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139. The website for all locations can be found at https://www.formaggiokitchen.com/

[November 8 update: An Instagram post indicates that the new location of Formaggio is now looking at an opening sometime this winter.]

[December 26 update: Eater Boston states that Formaggio plans to open in Kendall Square on Thursday, December 27.]

[December 27 update: A tweet from @theplaceilove says (via an Instagram post from the place) that because of some technical issues, the Kendall Square location of Formaggio won't have its soft opening until tomorrow (Friday, December 28).]

[December 28 update: A new Instagram post from the place confirms that Formaggio's new Kendall Square shop is now open.]

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Update: Bottega Fiorentina in Newton Centre Has Closed; Cupola Replaces It

by Marc Hurwitz

[Ed note: This article was updated on November 6 to reflect the fact that a new restaurant has already moved into the space.]

A pair of Italian eateries and food shops is back down to just one, as its newer location has shut down.

According to an article from Eater Boston, Bottega Fiorentina in Newton Centre has closed after being in business for approximately a year and a half. The post says that while the Centre Street spot is no longer in business, the original Bottega Fiorentina on Harvard Street in Brookline's Coolidge Corner remains in operation and continues to offer such items as antipasto plates, salads, sandwiches, made-to-order pastas, and Italian desserts. A recent post on the Friends of Boston's Hidden Restaurants Facebook group page shows that a new Italian spot called Cupola has taken over the space, offering a mix of traditional and modern Italian dishes with an apparent nod to foods found in the Florence area of Italy (the restaurant's sign says "Firenze Inspired Flavors," with Firenze being the Italian name for Florence).]

Another location of Bottega Fiorentina was once on Newbury Street in Boston's Back Bay, but it shuttered in the summer of 2012.

The address for the now-closed Bottega Fiorentina (and now-open Cupola) in Newton Centre was 1231 Centre Street, Newton Centre, MA, 02459.

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Patisserie on Newbury Opens in Boston's Back Bay

[Ed note: This article was edited on October 29 to reflect a correction to the address. Thanks to @BostonZest for letting us know about this.]

The person behind a crepe spot in the Back Bay of Boston has just opened a specialty market and bakery.

Eater Boston is reporting that the owner of The Creperie on Newbury Street (between Fairfield Street and Gloucester Street) now has a new place called Patisserie on Newbury, which @BostonZest says is at the same site (the Newbury Guest House). A check on the Patisserie website indicates that the shop sells breads, cheeses, pate, and pastries, with EB mentioning that croissants, tarts, cakes, freshly-made sandwiches, and coffee are available.

The Creperie first opened in December of 2011.

The exact address number for Patisserie on Newbury hasn't been confirmed yet, but it is around 259-263 Newbury Street; its website can be found at http://patisserieonnewbury.com/

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Christina's Baking Annex May Be Coming to Cambridge's Inman Square

The folks behind an ice cream shop and specialty food store in Cambridge may be adding onto their business, with an expansion coming to a nearby space.

According to a post in the Cambriville Connects blog, the people who run Christina's Homemade Ice Cream and Christina's Spice & Specialty Foods in Inman Square are planning to open Christina's Baking Annex, which will apparently be a few doors down from the two shops, taking over the space where Oona's Outpost had been. A post on Christina's Facebook page confirms this, with the following note shown: "Coming soon ... Christina's Baking Annex ... Purveyor of quality Pastry and Confectionary Ingredients."

No other information has been given on the new annex; as soon as we find out more, we will post an update here.

The address for this proposed store would be: Christina's Baking Annex, 1297 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139. The website for Christina's Homemade Ice Cream can be found at http://christinasicecream.com/ while their Facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christinas-Spice-Specialty-Foods/300964572385

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J. Pace and Son Is Opening Rosaria's Restaurant Above Its Saugus Market

The person behind a group of Italian specialty shops in the Boston area is planning to open a "higher-end" restaurant above one of his markets.

The Daily Item is reporting that the Saugus Board of Selectmen have issued a liquor license to Joseph Pace for a new spot called Rosaria's, which will be directly above the Saugus location of J. Pace & Son on Main Street (at the Lynn Fells Parkway intersection). The article mentions that Rosaria's will be an 11,000-square-foot restaurant and function hall that will have a capacity of 232 in its dining area, seating for 46 at the bar, and a private dining room that has room for 14. Construction of the second-floor space should be done around December 1, according to the Daily Item.

[December 5 update: According to a poster on the Chowhound site, Rosaria's could be opening sometime in January.]

[March 28, 2013 update: An article in The Saugus Advertiser indicates that Rosaria's has opened (and the article actually focuses on an alleged assault that took place at the new dining spot).]

In addition to their Saugus location, three other J. Pace & Son markets can be found in the Boston area, including stores in the North End, the West End, and the Seaport District. Their website is at http://jpaceandson.com/


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Vincenzo's Italian Deli and Specialty Store to Open in Dedham

A new Italian delicatessen and specialty shop is getting ready to open in Dedham.

According to The Dedham Transcript, Vincenzo's is going to be opening on Bryant Street in the center of town, bringing to the area a place to get everything from freshly-made sandwiches (including panini) to fresh bread and pastries, as well as imported pastas, meats, cheeses, and olive oil. An article in the Dedham Patch mentions that the store, which is moving into the space where Uniquely Global used to be, will probably be open from 8 AM to 5 PM on weekdays, and from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Saturdays (it looks like it will be closed on Sundays).

The address for this upcoming Italian deli and specialty store in Dedham will be: Vincenzo's, 29 Bryant Street, Dedham, MA, 02026.

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Bloomy Rind Opens in Hingham

A specialty cheese shop has opened in Hingham, and the person behind it is a chef with quite a background.

According to Boston.com, Bloomy Rind is now open on Main Street in the center of this South Shore town, bringing to the area a store that features a variety of cheeses and breads, as well as salads, vegetable plates, sandwiches, pastries, coffee, and more. The article mentions that the owner of Bloomy Rind graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and has worked at the high-end Back Bay restaurant L'Espalier as well as a number of Todd English restaurants.

The boston.com article also states that cooking classes may be offered at Bloomy Rind at some point in the future.

Bloomy Rind is open from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Saturday (it is closed on Sundays).

The address for this new gourmet cheese shop in Hingham is: Bloomy Rind,
21 Main Street, Hingham, MA, 02043. The phone number is (781) 740-1001. And their website can be found at: http://www.bloomyrind.com/

For more information on the opening of Bloomy Rind, please go to the boston.com link below.

No restaurant required for Hingham's newest great chef

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