Business & Tech
Somerville Restaurant News 2017: What's Happened So Far, What's Yet To Come
We're past the halfway point in 2017. Here's a look back at the openings, closings and news from the first part of the year.
SOMERVILLE, MA β Somerville has seen an explosion in business news this year, which is nothing new to "Boston's cooler sibling" (self-proclaimed). Between Assembly Square adding dozens of new businesses as part of its Phase 2 of expansion, to longtime restaurant spaces changing ownership seemingly overnight, it's hard to keep track of everything happening around town.
As we head into August β and well into the second half of 2017 β Patch is taking a look back at the year so far in Somerville restaurant news. Openings, closings, awards or scuttlebutt, it's all here. And if we missed something, let us know!
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January
The Boston Globe ranked the best new restaurants in greater Boston for 2016. Among the list β four Somerville eateries.
Taco Bell Cantina, a Taco Bell serving alcohol, had its sights set on space in Davis Square. But... The next month the proposal was tabled for the immediate future and possibly for good.
Find out what's happening in Somervillefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A chain of Irish pubs with five Massachusetts locations is poised to open a sixth in Somerville.
February
Is Deli-icious in Davis Square Closed? Sadly, yes.
Bfresh opened its third location on Elm Street in Davis Square.
Wynn Boston Harbor announced its new VIP loyalty program for residents. The Red Card provides locals with construction updates, valuable deals and special rates for hotel rooms at the upcoming Everett resort.
Assembly Row is entering Phase 2 of its expansion, and it's in line for a major boom. The waterfront development will see more than 20 restaurants and retailers open on a rolling basis in 2017.
March
A chain of Massachusetts candy stores with a Somerville location will pay nearly $40,000 for violating state wage and hour laws, including child labor, overtime and earned sick time.
A previously shelved project to bring a bakery to Summer Street in Davis Square is a go.
Sarma's Cassie Piuma was one of six finalists for "Best in the Northeast" in the James Beard Foundation's 2017 Restaurant and Chef Awards.
More than two dozen new businesses are planned for a Union Square development, and some could open by the end of the year.
April
A pop-up cafΓ© opened Sundays at Aeronaut Brewing Company in Somerville. The concept, called HikΕki, serves coffee pour-overs, imported teas and drinking chocolate.
Here's one for the sweet tooth crowd. Mike's Pastry officially opened at Somerville's Assembly Row, kicking off the Row's next phase of development.
May
The Union Square Farmers Market opened for the season.
Ann Taylor Factory opened at Assembly Row, the first retailer to do so as part of the Row's next phase of development.
Louie's Ice Cream opened for the summer.
A Davis Square hotspot and industry darling returned under new management.
June
The first fitness studio opened at FitRow.
A pioneer of greater Boston's "dinner as theater" closed its doors. And... A local pop-up is set to open its first brick-and-mortar restaurant in the former space.
A retailer with 18 locations in Massachusetts β including one in Somerville β filed for bankruptcy.
A former pawn shop in Davis Square will turn from buying gold to selling french pastries.
One local bar owner took GQ magazine to his favorite watering holes in Boston.
Two eateries landed on Eater's list of New England's 38 Essential Restaurants.
New openings at Assembly Row; more to come.
Somerville Bread Company is moving into loftier digs near Union Square as the bakery continues its rapid expansion.
On the Hill Tavern is rebranded as The Dark Horse Public House.
July
The co-owner behind a Union Square sushi restaurant is bringing an eatery with similar flair to Fenway.
Somerville's upcoming Bow Market, an ambitious project converting an old storage building in Union Square to a row of dozens of vendors, will have its own brewery.
Burger Dive took first place at the 4th Annual Assembly Row Bar Stars.
The city's first Trader Joe's gets an official opening date.
A local juice bar expanding around the metro Boston area opened its latest store at Assembly Row.
Did we miss some news? Email alex.newman@patch.com and let us know!
Photo Credit: Mike Carraggi/Patch Staff
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