What's Next for Johnny D's?

SOMERVILLE, MA – Johnny D's closed in March after 47 years of entertaining Greater Boston with its unique blend of food and live music.

After more than eight months, its Holland Street space remains unoccupied.

But a recent report from the Somerville Journal indicates the process to fill the vacancy has begun, as the ZBA conditionally approved a proposal this month outlining a three-story addition with seven rental units and a ground floor reserved for commercial retail space.

According to the Journal, Johnny D's owner Carla DeLellis retained her liquor license, which the licensing commission is happy to let her keep given the crop of liquor licenses coming to the city this year.

But DeLellis is unsure what will replace her bar, and told the Journal she doesn't expect a new establishment to open before next fall. She's toyed with the idea of leasing the space to a new restaurant or bar and transferring her license over, or keeping it herself and opening a new bar.

What would you like to see open in the iconic space? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook.

Photo courtesy of Todd Van Hoosear via Flickr