News Summary
April has brought significant restaurant closures in Boston, affecting popular venues like Strega, D’s Keys, and multiple Bertucci’s locations. The closures reflect broader challenges in the restaurant industry amid changing consumer interests and economic factors. As popular establishments shutdown, the city witnesses a shift in its vibrant dining scene, prompting a reevaluation of the local culinary landscape.
Boston – April has seen several notable restaurant closures in the Boston area, affecting popular dining spots and beloved establishments. Among the numerous affected venues are Strega, D’s Keys, and various Bertucci’s locations, which reflect broader challenges faced by the restaurant industry in the region.
The Park Plaza location of the Italian restaurant Strega has officially closed after seven years in operation. Strega was one of three establishments originally owned by Nick Verano, who continues to run the original location in Boston’s North End. The closure marks a significant shift for Verano’s portfolio, particularly given the popularity of the North End restaurant, which has maintained a strong customer base.
In Brighton, the South American natural wine bar and specialty market Super Bien has also shut its doors. However, the owner plans to continue operating her empanada shop, Buenas, along with the Homie Goods market in Somerville, indicating a shift in focus rather than a complete exit from the food scene.
Another establishment, the French brasserie La Voile in Brookline’s Washington Square, has closed after a decade of service, although its Newbury Street location remains operational. The closure adds to a growing list of dining options that have struggled with the changing economic landscape.
Further impacting the Seaport area is the closure of D’s Keys, a dueling piano bar that operated for nearly seven years. The board stated declining business coupled with reduced corporate bookings as factors contributing to the decision to shut down. This highlights the ongoing difficulties in attracting patrons in competitive nightlife markets.
Additionally, the well-known Italian restaurant chain Bertucci’s has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 24. Within this filing, the company has announced the closure of multiple locations throughout Massachusetts, including sites in Braintree, Mansfield, North Andover, Norwood, and Plymouth, as well as one in Warwick, R.I. These closures are part of a continuing trend for Bertucci’s, which previously filed for bankruptcy in 2022, leading to the closure of several other locations amid setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Bertucci’s still operates nine restaurants in Massachusetts, including in Chelmsford, Chestnut Hill, and Framingham, the total number of locations across the country has now been reduced to 15. The original Bertucci’s opened its doors in 1981 in Somerville’s Davis Square, but the current financial instability showcases significant challenges ahead for the chain.
These closures exemplify the ongoing struggles many restaurants face as they navigate the ongoing impact of economic factors, changing consumer preferences, and previous health crises. As the Boston restaurant scene continues to evolve, these changes serve as a stark reminder of the resilience and challenges faced by business owners in the hospitality industry.
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Additional Resources
- Boston Eater: Restaurant Closures
- Patriot Ledger: Bertucci’s Closures
- Boston.com: Bertucci’s Bankruptcy
- NBC Boston: Recent Restaurant Closures
- MassLive: Tavern Closure
- Wikipedia: Restaurant Industry
