fignewtonville made the fine suggestion of a regular V14 post where readers can chime in about new local businesses that have recently opened in Newton, or lament businesses that we recently lost.
So do tell.
Is there a new Newton shop or restaurant or business near you that you’d like to spread the word about? Tell us about it below
The Roasted Spoke bike shop in Newtonville! Across Walnut St from Trio.
I’ll have more to say about that shop shortly.
Good to see new shops opening. Harris Cyclery’s closure left a big void.
The manner by which Newton Firearms, a perfectly legal entity, was never even provided a realistic opportunity to open is lamentable. Please do not respond with observations about the owner’s permitting problems. They could have followed the rules and regulations to a T and still the good residents of Newton, so broad in their thinking, so progressive in their values, so ready to inflict their perspective on their neighbors would have found a way to run these folks out of town on a rail. Despicable.
Almost equally lamentable is the constant handwringing over marijuana retailers, another state-sanctioned class of enterprise. Given the utter lack of negative impact from those that have opened (Has the sky fallen? Has crime spiked? What about the children, the innocent lads and lasses, the future? Have they been gatewayed into a life of drug induced mayhem and debauchery?) one can only wonder what all of the fuss was about and why we do not have more legal, tax generating business of this sort peppering the highways and byways of Our Faire City.
Happiness is not a warm gun.
Elmo, why I appreciate both of these issues are important, I think it would be better served to discuss them as we have many times in other posts. I was hoping this particular post would be more to discuss less controversial comings/goings.
I’d like to put in a plug for LaPosta, which replaced Cook in Newtonville. The pasta and the apps were delicious, as was the salad. I didn’t try the pizza but I’ve heard good things. It is a nice contrast with MIDA, and I hope both places do well.
Clover continues to impress with its non-meat options.
Also, for those who might care, Chipotle opens in Newtonville on January 18.
And I thought I’d post the link to hidden Boston’s closing-opening webpage, which lists out the greater Boston regional area’s closings and new openings.
https://www.hiddenboston.com/closings-openings.html
If folks have tried a new restaurant and enjoyed it, please post. It’s a tough time to open a restaurant. Heck, post an old favorite too. What’s the harm?
If folks who live in other villages could speak up, I’d appreciate it.
Another Chipotle? Mmmmmmm. Best news of the day.
Does anyone know the restaurant that is going to replace Los Amigos when they move across the street to their larger digs?
I’m pretty happy with how quickly the empty storefronts in West Newton filled. This was a big concern of mine. I haven’t been dining in yet but Bluebird and Blue Salt both look good. They’re more than I’d care to spend on takeout, so I’m waiting for COVID #s to drop to dine in. The new WoW looks nice and clean from the outside. I’m looking forward to what goes into Dunstan.
Newtonville has been a development success story IMO and I’m hoping that things work out similarly for my ‘hood.
I am eagerly awaiting the Dining Car to open in Newton Highlands. I am hoping it is as yummy as the food truck.
@NewtonMom Where will Dining Car be and what kind of food?
The Dining Car will be where The Eatery, Bread & Chocolate were on the corner of Hartford/Lincoln
@NewtonMom I heard the fried cauliflower will be returning to the menu!
Work Out World (WOW) has opened in West Newton Square at the corner of Washington Street and Elm where the former Boston Sports Club (formerly European Health Spa!) was. I haven’t been yet due to Covid precautions.
I can’t say enough good things about Patzcuaro in Nonantum. Small restaurant, fantastic food, warm and friendly service. Opened not long before the pandemic shutdown, and somehow has managed to stay in business.
This place was a godsend during COVID! One of the best additions to nonantum
I moved to Upper Falls in 1988. Here is a list of all of the places that I loved, that have closed since then. Although many closed long ago, the void the closures left, has not been filled.
New England Mobile Bookfair, Moon and Sixpence, Ice Cream Works, Bakers’ Best (when it was where the Candy store is), Bread and Chocolate (in the 1980s and 90s), Highland Hardware, Marcia and Bea, Garage Sales Inc., the Italian restaurant in the Highlands (can’t remember the name). In Newtonville, there was Debbie’s Petland, Ken Kaye Krafts, and Give and Take (consignment and antiques).,
Recently opened places that I enjoy are, Bettina’s Bakery in Upper Falls and Hedgehog Belly in the Highlands. There are other bakeries that I will try when Covid recedes.
@Milissa
How long has it been since Debby’s Petland closed, anyway? Feels like the storefront has been empty for decades.
The other big question: Whatever happened to Harley the Parrot, who was a mainstay of Debby’s until somebody actually bought him.
Cantina Abruzzi! What about Le Soire? They moved into that spot, I think, then Buttonwood.
Before I left, I developed a fondness for the crossaints from the newish bakery in the Highlands.
Thanks for everyone posting. Could folks give a bit more detail about the places that opened? (I realize I could google (and I will) but for restaurants the type of food is always helpful.
I’ll add another one:
Tous Les Jours. Who knew I needed a French/Asian inspired bakery chain in my life? Yum. (Newton Centre on Beacon)
I could also put in a plug for Tatte but judging by the lines there is no need.
Dave:
I did not know Patzcuaro existed. I thought that was a Spanish Tapas place. Very excited to try it, and it has mixed drinks!
Melissa:
I assumed Hedgehog Belly was a restaurant. Whoops. That looks like a cool kids clothing pop-up and I’ll definitely check that out too.
Has anyone tried the new Flora’s wine bar in West Newton?
Yes, Flora’s is terrific. It’s a great spot for a glass of wine (or two) and some beautifully presented light food. But most importantly, it has really activated a previously dead spot in West Newton. On any given night (in good weather at least), the sidewalk seating is full and the mood is pretty joyful. If you squint, you might actually feel like you’re in an outdoor cafe in Europe (and not on Washington St.)
Thanks Meryl. I may check it out next week. I’m a sucker for a cheese plate. You could make a really fun bar crawl/appetizer crawl in West Newton now….
Just occurred to me to check if anything is happening at the former West Street Tavern space in Nonantum. A spot called Cafe Martin is slated to open soon, it seems: https://www.facebook.com/cafemartinweststreet
I too was going to mention the arrival of Tatte in Newton Centre, for fans of long lines and super-sized baked goods. (I’m not, so I can’t report on the food.) And in non-food news, a longtime fixture, the Kenneth Wildes salon, has not re-upped its lease, so now I have to find someplace else to get my hair cut. I’ll be curious to see what if anything moves into that space on “Beacon Place,” which is a fancy way of saying “in the parking lot behind the paint store.”
I second Dave Brigham’s recommendation of Patzcuaro in Nonantum.
No. 57 Lincoln Kitchen is a new pizza-and-sub shop in Newton Highlands, replacing the former pizza-and-sub shop there.
Koko Bakery on California Street closed last month and will re-open under new name and management (ownership transferred to an employee of the original owner) in February. Wonderful reviews, and in its last couple of days in business, there was a 45-minute line out the door in really cold weather.
Amy Sangiolo’s newsletter indicates that Boston Shawarma is seeking a license to operate at 870-880 Walnut Street in Four Corners.
I only went to Koko a few times, but it was pretty great. Didn’t realize they had closed and are planning to reopen. Glad to hear a bakery will continue there.
I’m a regular at Koko FitClub in Needham, so when I heard about Koko Bakery, I thought it would be fun to walk the 6 miles from Koko Bakery to Koko FitClub, since that exercise should burn off a croissant or two. I didn’t get around to doing that until Koko Bakery’s second-to-last day, but I made it. I was so surprised to find a 45-minute line standing out in the cold. An enjoyable walk across Newton.
That would be awesome. Shawarma in Newton!
SALT – WOW – FLORA’s – BLUEBIRD BAR
With all of the bakeries moving into Newton there is one upcoming opening that I’m really excited about–Celebrity Pastry Chef Thiago Silva’s Patisserie, SALT, slated to open next door to Newton Centre’s Bubble Dentistry in February.
I visited WOW a couple of weeks ago for a tour. This gym closed their Waltham location, and has reopened in Newton. For former BSC members the club’s layout hasn’t changed that much, but WOW did remove the upstairs spin studio and only has one studio (on the first floor) open for classes. The childcare has been jettisoned and they’re building out a bootcamp set up in that area for premium members.
The club looked cleaner (new floors, brighter finishes) but I was disheartened that they didn’t seem to take mask wearing seriously. When I visited midday only about half of those exercising wore masks (in some fashion), while others were unmasked. While this may not bother some, I’m still approaching a possible return to a gym with lots of trepidation, so it’s a non-starter for me. (Granted, I’m probably not in WOW’s targeted demographic group.)
I love Flora’s Wine Bar. They opened about a month before the pandemic and have been doing what they can to stay afloat and pivot. It’s small, and lacking an extensive menu, my guess is they rely heavily on their bar for revenues. Without foot traffic from the W. Newton Cinema, and diners steering clear of cozy neighborhood restaurants, it’s tough for them. Hopefully, Flora’s will figure out a way to remain open.
We dined at Bluebird Bar on Christmas Eve when there were only a handful of other diners. Atmosphere was great, as was the food– like an upscale version of the The Local, but the food was similarly priced. We’d return when we come out of COVID hiding.
Your comment about not enforcing mask wearing is the reason I have not returned to my gym, Lifetime. They don’t enforce wearing a mask, either, although you do need to wear one when entering the gym. But most people aren’t wearing masks when they are working out. When I asked management why, they said that as long as gym members can stay 6 feet away from each other, they don’t need to wear a mask. I don’t know…there is a lot of heavy breathing when you are doing cardio or lifting weights, so I didn’t feel comfortable.
I thought there was an indoor mask mandate. Sounds like Lifetime is just making up it’s own rules
A few times I’ve peeked into WoW and saw low mask compliance too. The equipment is all very packed in there, no room for social distancing if it gets more crowded.
And it is crowded! Not so much during the daytime hours but evenings it looks pretty full and you can see lots of unmasked faces huffing and puffing on the exercise equipment…
My wife Albie is working to open her 2nd Che Empanada https://www.cheempanada.com by the first week of February. The location is the former City Pizza site at 795 Washington St. Her Worcester location next to Polar Park in Worcester opened in February 2021.
That sounds great! Something a little different for Newtonville.
Oh man, that sounds fantastic.
Jim, I’m very excited about this! Let us know when it has its official opening and we are there!
I can’t wait to check it out.
I continue to lament the closure of Peet’s in Newton Centre. It was a wonderful place for a decent cup o’ joe and especially for making new friends and acquaintances. For many, it was a daily destination location. It had ample, free parking, a revolving cast of baristas and a 180˚ unobstructed view of Beacon Street and Langley Rd. It was something very special and never replicated. Customers & former employees tried and tried, but couldn’t put Humpty back together again.
I miss Peet’s so much too. I haven’t found another place as friendly and welcoming. I’m still searching for the next magical gathering spot to catch my eye and heart.
It’s been open for a few months now, but Bettina’s Bakery in Upper Falls is fantastic. The baked goods (scones, cookies, muffins, conchas, and cakes) are all terrific, and I’d eat the chicken schnitzel sandwich for lunch every day if I could.
@KCT second the chicken schnitzel sandwich along with soup every time I go!
And from Tarik Lucas’s newsletter:
It’s a sad day in Newtonville and West Newton. Brewer’s Coalition is now closed, as is The Local.
BC has a goodbye message posted. I’m going to miss it, and this is clearly Covid related, their sale volume was down 50%.
Jerry, can you repost the link for comings and goings? Maybe some folks will post some new places opening and cheer me up.
Burke’s Alewerks is coming to the old Local location. I’ve heard great things about their Hingham location. Sounds like they will only be offering beer from the Hingham spot and no food yet but will serve food down the road and also will begin brewing on site. I think they’ll do well there. I hope it isn’t too long before they start serving food though.
I hope the rest of the West Newton storefronts get filled soon. Right now I think we are sorely missing both ice cream and coffee/tea. Hope to see those arrive.
That sounds promising!
The Local was doing well despite the pandemic. That landlord has many commercial spaces around Newton and more turnover than most. He has a reputation of being very difficult. I predict that this will be a short tenancy
I had heard they weren’t doing well at all. Last year staff there was saying that the lack of post commuter rail foot traffic was really killing them and they weren’t sure how much longer they could last. We did go once last year and ate outside but we were never a huge fan of The Local. We used to go more often back in the day when it was Crowley’s!
Fingers crossed this comes to pass.
Hundreds of Massachusetts restaurants could have been saved and countless jobs preserved, if Governor Baker had not blocked implementation of the 2016 ballot initiative that legalized cannabis cafes. The responsibility for many of those lost restaurants falls directly on Baker’s shoulders.
Even today, six years after voters decided this issue, the City of Newton would be well served by going on record and encouraging the governor to respect the people’s vote that legalized cannabis cafes. The disdain for voters and the abysmal lack of leadership on this issue at both the state and city level is astounding.