ICYMI: Somerville Restaurant Reopens After Renovations, Management Change

SOMERVILLE, MA – Union Square restaurant and pub The Independent reopened Wednesday after closing nearly two months ago for renovations. Upgrades include refinished floors and bar tops, new upholstery on booths and barstools, a new sound system, fresh paint and additional adjustments.

The Independent also reopened under a new management team, helmed by Matt Alvey, a veteran of the greater Boston restaurant scene. Alvey, the restaurant's new general manager, has a resume that includes Redbones, The New East Coast Grill and The Independent's sister restaurant, River Bar.

Assistant general manager Tania Von Magnus, bar manager Ándrea Pentabona and executive chef Shayne Nunes round out the team, according to Eater Boston.

"The goal of the renovation is to keep the Indo fresh for years to come," COO Jess Willis said in an earlier press release. "As Union Square embarks upon a new stage of development, we thought this would be a great time for us to rejuvenate. We want to be indispensable to the neighborhood now and in the future."

Doors open at The Independent at 4 p.m. on Wednesday; the kitchen opens at 5 p.m.

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Story originally published Oct. 4.