Somerville, Massachusetts, August 29, 2025
News Summary
Mass Hole Donuts in Somerville faces challenges as the city approves new bike lanes on Broadway, reducing on-street parking crucial for morning customers. The shop’s lease is expiring, and operators are seeking a new location to ensure continued business amidst concerns from neighboring businesses about parking loss and financial impacts due to the construction. While local cyclists welcome the safety improvements, the donut shop’s future remains uncertain.
Somerville
Mass Hole Donuts faces an uncertain future after the City of Somerville approved plans to add designated bike lanes on Broadway that will remove several on-street parking spaces. The donut shop’s lease is set to expire next month, and managers say continued operation at the current location is unlikely if parking that supports morning customers is reduced. The shop is actively searching for a new long-term storefront and is offering free donuts to anyone who helps locate a suitable replacement.
What happened
City officials have approved a reconstruction project for Broadway that includes new sidewalks, improved crossings and protected bike lanes. The design will remove a number of curbside parking spaces to make room for the bike lanes, though city staff say roughly half of current on-street parking will remain. Installation is expected to begin later this year.
Immediate impact on Mass Hole Donuts
Mass Hole Donuts, which has operated for four years and started as a specialty donut-hole shop in Arlington in 2019, relies heavily on quick morning visits from customers who park briefly to pick up coffee and pastries on their commute. A recent customer survey conducted by the shop showed the majority of customers use short-term street parking. With the anticipated loss of several spaces and a lease expiration next month, the shop’s leadership has concluded signing a new lease at the current site would be financially risky without sufficient short-term parking for morning traffic.
Concerns from neighboring small businesses
Other local businesses have expressed concern about the parking reduction and its financial effects. A nearby market owner reported that ongoing construction has already made it difficult to meet expenses. A barbershop owner and other storefront operators also cited worries that fewer nearby parking spots will decrease quick-stop customers and reduce walk-in traffic.
City rationale and safety goals
City officials cite safety concerns as the primary reason for the Broadway redesign. Records show the corridor experienced more than 200 crashes in recent years, prompting officials to prioritize measures intended to reduce collisions and improve pedestrian and cyclist safety. City staff indicate they worked with local businesses throughout the design process to gather feedback on bike lanes and revised parking arrangements.
Support from cycling community
Local cyclists and a bicycle shop owner have welcomed the bike lanes, noting the current road conditions are dangerous and that protected lanes should make cycling on Broadway safer and more enjoyable. Advocates argue the redesign will encourage more people to bike and reduce vehicle conflicts.
Next steps and timeline
The city plans to install the bike lanes and complete the Broadway reconstruction later this year, pending final scheduling and construction permitting. Businesses and residents are being informed through city channels as work progresses. Mass Hole Donuts is searching for a “forever location” elsewhere and has publicized its search to the community, emphasizing a desire for a standalone, long-term storefront rather than a chain or satellite presence.
Background on Mass Hole Donuts
Mass Hole Donuts began in Arlington in 2019 and built a reputation on donut holes with distinctive flavor coatings. Signature offerings have included donuts rolled in popular breakfast cereals, which helped the shop cultivate a local following over four years. The manager and head baker has overseen daily operations and product development since the business expanded to Somerville.
FAQ
Will all on-street parking be removed on Broadway?
No. City officials say about half of the current on-street parking will remain after bike lanes and other safety improvements are installed.
When will the bike lanes be installed?
The city anticipates installation of the protected bike lanes and associated street reconstruction later this year, subject to final scheduling and permitting.
How will the changes affect Mass Hole Donuts?
The donut shop depends on brief, early-morning customer parking. With its lease expiring next month and a reduction in nearby short-term parking, the shop is seeking a new location and is unlikely to renew its current lease without adequate parking access.
Have local businesses been consulted?
City staff report ongoing engagement with businesses during the design process to gather input on parking and traffic changes. Some businesses say construction has already affected revenues, while others support the safety goals.
What are the stated goals of the project?
The project aims to reduce crashes, improve pedestrian crossings and provide protected bike lanes to make Broadway safer for people walking and biking.
Quick reference
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Broadway corridor, Somerville, Massachusetts |
| Project | Protected bike lanes, new sidewalks, improved crossings |
| Parking after project | Approximately half of current on-street parking to be retained |
| Installation timeline | Expected later this year (final schedule pending) |
| Impact on Mass Hole Donuts | Lease expires next month; shop seeking new long-term location due to anticipated parking loss |
| Community positions | Local cyclists welcome safety improvements; several small businesses express concern over parking loss and construction impacts |
| Safety justification | Broadway reported more than 200 crashes in recent years; redesign aims to reduce collisions |
| How to follow updates | City planning and project announcements; community notifications from Somerville officials |
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