Massachusetts

More than 20 Eastern Massachusetts restaurants closed their doors during January

Published

2 years ago

February 6, 2024

January is the start of a new year, but unfortunately it marked the end of the road for more than 20 restaurants in Eastern Massachusetts.

Thanks to last month’s closures, vacancies now exist in the following Wicked Local communities: Rockland, Braintree, Billerica, Newton, Cambridge, Arlington, Roslindale, Saugus, Brighton, Acton, Westwood, Tewksbury, Brighton and Hingham.

Wicked Local will keep you posted on what new restaurants may open in these locations.

Did we miss any? Let us know by emailing jtzouvelis@wickedlocal.com.

Sugo Cucina Italiana, Arlington

Sugo Cucina Italiana, 162 Massachusetts Ave. (Route 3), has closed. It had been in business since the summer of 2015.

Owner Rudy Maniscalco specialized in classic Italian fare based on the recipes of his late mother, Gina Maniscalco.

Just like Mom made: Sugo Cucina Italiana in Arlington aims to revive Italian classics

Courthouse Fish Market, Cambridge

Courthouse Fish Market, 484 Cambridge St., which had been in business since 1912, shut down in January.

A note on the shop’s website states: “Dear valued customers: We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your years of support and patronage at the fish market. It is with a heavy heart we share the news that our fish market will be closing on January 13, 2024. We sincerely thank you for your years of unwavering support and patronage. While the fish market bids farewell, we are excited to inform you that our restaurant will continue to serve you with the same dedication to quality and excellence. We look forward to welcoming you to the restaurant next door.”

Article Fifteen Brewing Co., Rockland

After four years in business — first in Weymouth, later in Rockland — Article Fifteen Brewing Co. closed on Jan. 27.

“It’s been a fun ride, but every road comes to an end,” the business announced in a Facebook post.

Article Fifteen said “the burdens of inflation, the rising costs of materials and equipment maintenance, combined with the constant regulatory challenges presented to us since our move, have made it clear that we had to make the hardest of decisions.”

Blossom Nutrition, Newton

Blossom Nutrition, 318 Walnut St., which marketed itself as a family business providing healthy options to improve customer’s lifestyles, announced it was closing in an Instagram post on Jan. 9

The post stated: “Unfortunately we closed, we wanna to say thank you everyone for support us, and God bless you always. Never stop dreaming….”

Blossom opened during the summer of 2022, offering smoothies, juices, coffee, tea and bowls.

Cafe Asiana, Braintree

After nearly 25 years in business offering Thai and Chinese fare, Café Asiana, 25 Pearl St., has closed.

A post on the Everything Braintree Facebook group page indicates the owners decided to retire and that a new Asian restaurant will open in its place.

Casa Loca Mexican Cantina, Westwood

Casa Loca Mexican Cantina, 174 University Ave., has closed. It was known as a place to relax within a homey atmosphere and enjoy doughnuts, carnitas and margaritas.

The restaurant opened at University Station in the fall of 2020. It was part of the Wellesley Restaurant Group.

Chung King Restaurant, Billerica

Chinese and Japanese restaurant Chung King Restaurant, 446 Boston Road (Route 3A), has closed.

A post on the restaurant’s Facebook page states: “We opened the restaurant during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating through tough times, facing numerous challenges such as increased operating costs, and economic crises. Believe me, this was a difficult decision for our management team. We cherish the community, and we wouldn’t have come this far without your support. We want to express our gratitude to the Billerica community and surrounding towns.”

Chung King’s owners also run Jade Pacific at 770 Boston Road,where they will honor Chung King gift cards.

Deli King Restaurant, Tewksbury

An old-school dining spot in the northern suburbs of Boston is shutting down after being in business for several decades.

Deli King Restaurant, 885 Main St. (Route 38), has closed. According to WCVB, its owners, brothers-in-law Arthur Agganis and Dimitrios Gomatos, opened the cafeteria-style restaurant specializing in Greek and American cuisine in 1989.

Donut Villa, Newton

Donut Villa, has closed its Newtonville location at 344 Walnut St. The diner still has three other locations (Malden, Cambridge and Arlington).

The Newton location opened in the fall of 2022 in the former Brewer’s Coalition space. It was open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week and of course, doughnuts were the specialty.

Imperial China, Framingham

Imperial China, 413 Worcester Road (Route 9), Framingham, has shut down.

In a post on the ChewOnThis Facebook page, the business stated: “Our business will be permanently closing January 1, 2024. We thank you for your many years of support.”

The restaurant, which had been in business for more than 30 years, was known mainly for its Chinese-American fare and its Polynesian drinks.

Nomai, Hingham

Nomai, at the Derby Street Shops, 94 Derby St., has closed.

A post on its website states: “We are announcing the unfortunate closing of Nomai. Since our opening at Hingham’s Derby Street Shops in 2022, we have had so much fun meting and feeding so many of you.”

The post also states: “We look forward to having you visit us at our other Boston and Cambridge establishments, including Shojo, Ruckus and China Pearl, opening later this year.”

OddFellows Ice Cream Co., Chestnut Hill

OddFellows Ice Cream Co., 55 Boylston St., has closed. The Chestnut Hill location was the only location in Massachusetts for the New York City-based franchise.

OddFellows opened during the summer of 2019, offering an array of ice cream flavors (including some unusual options); the business was established in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, New York, in 2013.

Rivershed, Braintree

Rivershed, 35-37 Commercial St., has closed. The business has other locations in Scituate and Killington, Vermont.

Since the fall of 2020, Rivershed specialized in burgers, barbecue and craft beer.

TGI Fridays, multiple locations

Danvers and Dedham are among the locations where casual dining chain TGI Friday operated until shutting down several of its Massachusetts restaurants in early January.

Seven TGI Friday’s remain in Massachusetts, including in Boston, Braintree, Everett, Methuen, Millbury, North Dartmouth and Stoughton.

The company announced it was closing 36 underperforming locations nationwide.

Tokyo Japanese Steak House, Newton

The Tokyo Japanese Steak House restaurant in the Chestnut Hill Mall, 199 Boylston St., is no longer in business.

The restaurant opened in 2013 offering steak, sushi and teppanyaki options, with chefs cooking in front of diners on grills at each of the tables.

The Dial and The Blue Owl, Cambridge

The Dial restaurant and the Blue Owl rooftop bar, on the ground and top floors, respectively, of a 907 Main hotel, 907 Main St., are closed.

A post on The Dial Instagram page states: “It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce the permanent closing of The Dial and The Blue Owl. We thank you all for being part of The Dial and Blue Owl community and a part of the diverse neighborhood that gives Central Square it’s unique energy. Together we celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, promotions, Pride months and return to office cocktails; whatever the occasion, we were grateful that you chose to spend it here with us.”

Jimmies Cafe, Roslindale

After 15 years in business, Jimmies Café, an ice cream shop at 48 Corinth St., has closed.

A Facebook post states: “Thank you for your support. Jimmies Café is closed indefinitely.”

Besides ice cream, Jimmies also served salads, sandwiches, chicken fingers, empanadas and fries.

Fuddruckers, Saugus

Fuddruckers announced in a press release in November that it would be closing its Saugus location, 900 Broadway (Route 1), by year’s end.

Franchise owner Adrienne LeBlanc stated: “This is not the outcome we had hoped for because we want to keep the restaurant open. Despite multiple attempts to negotiate a fair lease, however, we simply couldn’t come to an agreement with our landlord, and we were forced to make this very difficult decision.”

Fuddruckers’ Reading location, inside Jordan’s Furniture, remains open. That’s the only other Massachusetts location.

Known for its hamburgers, the company is headquartered in Texas.

Article 24, Brighton

After eight years, Article 24, 458 Western Ave., announced Jan. 14 on Facebook that it would close.

Its post states: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of our doors after 8 wonderful years. Join us for one last gathering today before we bid farewell. Your presence will make this farewell special.”

Ginger Court, Acton

In business since the 1990s, Ginger Court, 344 Great Road (Route 2A), is closed.

A sign on the door indicates that owners had until Jan. 25 to vacate the premises and remove all personal property or the landlord would take possession.

Owner Po Pai also owns Acton Asian Market, up the street at 279 Great Road.

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Massachusetts

Police to address Princeton death during child sexual abuse material investigation

Published

1 hour ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Police to address Princeton death during child sexual abuse material investigation

Authorities will speak Friday after a death occurred while police were serving a search warrant for child sexual abuse material in Princeton, Massachusetts.

The subject of the search warrant “was a person of trust in communities in Worcester and Middlesex Counties,” Massachusetts State Police said.

Authorities said little about the case ahead of the press conference, which will begin at 6 p.m. and be streamed in the player above.

State police will be hosting the conference, which will include Princeton Police Chief Paul Patricia, Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. and Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan.

Check back for more as this story develops.

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Massachusetts

Mass. unveils $250 million in subsidies to protect residents from premium hikes – The Boston Globe

Published

14 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Mass. unveils 0 million in subsidies to protect residents from premium hikes – The Boston Globe

Audrey Morse Gasteier, executive director of the Massachusetts Health Connector, said the financial bulwark that benefited 270,000 residents is “part of the reason that we’re hanging in there in terms of enrollment and keeping people covered.”

But Thursday’s announcement won’t translate into any additional help.

Healey’s news conference coincided with the beginning of an election year in which three Republicans are vying for her job and voters are expected to be particularly focused on the state’s high cost of living. One survey last year found Massachusetts had the second highest cost of living in the country. People who saw their insurance premiums increase this year said it was one pricey bill amid an onslaught of growing expenses.

“I can’t believe how much it is when we go to the grocery store. Our electricity has gone up,“ said Judith O’Gara, whose family was hit with a $400 increase a month in insurance premiums for their ACA plan in January. ”We were just bracing ourselves to try to stretch the paycheck further.”

O’Gara, of Millis, is a part-time editor at community newspapers, and her husband is a self-employed computer animator and mural artist. She has added hours at work, she said, but it still wasn’t enough to qualify for health coverage through her employer, leaving the couple to buy insurance through the connector.

Healey also used the news conference to weigh in on a high-profile effort in Congress to revive the federal subsidies. Also on Thursday, the US House, with help from 17 Republican defectors facing competitive reelection races, passed a bill that would extend the subsidies for another three years. A small group of senators is considering proposing their own extension of the subsidies.

“We need to see people in Congress step up and take action and fight the president on this and get him to focus on the domestic agenda and how to make life more affordable for people,” Healey said.

The governor said she didn’t announce the influx of funds earlier because she had hoped Congress would act before the end of 2025.

“We gave up until the deadline to see if they take action,” she said.

ACA open enrollment extends through Jan. 23.

The infusion of funds from the Commonwealth Care Trust Fund brings the state’s total commitment to the insurance marketplace to $600 million, which Healey said is the largest support from any state in the country.

Federally subsidized insurance policies were first made available to people making less than 400 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $128,600 for a family of four, in 2009 under President Barack Obama’s ACA, also known as Obamacare. In 2021, Congress made those subsidies more generous for many recipients and extended them to people earning up to 500 percent of the federal poverty level. The expanded tax credits doubled participation in the ACA exchanges over the past four years, and by last year 337,000 people in Massachusetts received subsidized insurance through ConnectorCare.

The increases were slated to expire after four years, and without congressional action to preserve them, premiums reverted to pre-2021 levels for this year. People earning more than 400 percent of the poverty level became ineligible to receive subsidized insurance. State officials have estimated roughly 300,000 people could become uninsured statewide over the next decade, in part due to the expiration of the tax credits.

Democrats staged a 43-day shutdown last fall, the longest in US history, in an unsuccessful effort to preserve the expanded subsidies.

The Commonwealth Care Trust Fund predates the 2021 coverage expansion, said Doug Howgate, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, a nonprofit budget watchdog, and was established to support ConnectorCare programs. Massachusetts has long had a robust public insurance program, and the 2021 expansion essentially allowed the state to shift the cost of subsidies it had been paying to the federal government. Tapping the trust fund now essentially returns Massachusetts to the support levels it provided prior to 2021, Howgate said.

Regardless of the timing of Healey’s announcement, it is a reality that Massachusetts has a uniquely robust commitment to health insurance access, Howgate said.

“I do think that the idea that the state is able to offset some of those impacts is an important message to get out there,” he said. “This is real money.”

According to Healey’s office, a 45-year-old couple with two kids making $75,000 in Fall River previously paid $166 per month for the lowest-cost coverage. Without state action, their premium would have more than doubled. But with the infusion from the trust fund, they will pay $206 per month.

There’s only so much the state can do to mitigate the impacts of the expired subsidies, though. Because Congress didn’t extend them, people between 400 and 500 percent of the federal poverty level simply are ineligible to sign up for subsidized policies through the ACA marketplace. There are roughly 27,000 people statewide who cannot benefit from the state’s effort to compensate for the lost federal money, and those people are among those facing the biggest new insurance expenses.

Christa, 56, a hair dresser, and her husband, Gary, 69, a truck driver, earn less than $105,750 annually combined, just shy of 500 percent of the poverty level. The couple, who asked not to be named to protect their privacy, went from paying $282-a-month for Christa’s insurance with no deductible, to a private plan costing $725 a month with a $2000 deductible.

Gary, who is enrolled in Medicare, is still counting on Congress for a reprieve.

“I believe the Senate will be forced to do something, and we’re hoping,” he said.

Jason Laughlin can be reached at jason.laughlin@globe.com. Follow him @jasmlaughlin.

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Massachusetts

Healey shares plan to limit health insurance cost increases for Massachusetts residents

Published

1 day ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Healey shares plan to limit health insurance cost increases for Massachusetts residents

January 8, 2026 / 4:18 PM EST
/ CBS Boston

Gov. Maura Healey said Thursday that the state is spending an additional $250 million to limit premium increases for residents who have insurance through the Massachusetts Health Connector.

After Congress let Affordable Care Act tax credits expire at the end of last year, more than 300,000 people in Massachusetts have been facing a potentially steep increase in their health care bills.

The governor’s office said those enrolled in ConnectorCare who make below 400% of the of the federal poverty level, which is $62,600 for an individual or $128,600 for a family of four, will see “little to no premium increases.”

Under the plan, Healey’s office said a 45-year-old couple with two kids in Fall River will see their monthly health insurance costs rise from $166 to $206. Without the new funding, the governor says they would be paying $452 a month.

“While President Trump continues to increase health care costs, we are taking the strongest action in the nation to address them and keep costs as low as possible for families,” Healey said in a statement. “Despite this increased state investment, far too many people will still see their premiums increase because of the White House.”

The U.S. House of Representatives is set to approve a three-year extension of the health care tax credits. While it appears unlikely to pass the Senate, senators have talked about a compromise plan that could include a two-year extension with added reforms. President Trump hasn’t offered a specific health care plan, but said subsidies going to insurance companies should “go to the people” instead.

The $250 million is coming from the Commonwealth Care Trust Fund, which gets its money from employer medical assistance contributions and financial penalties from residents who violate the state’s health care insurance mandate.

Massachusetts residents can sign up for health insurance coverage or switch their Health Connector plans until Jan. 23 if they want to be covered by Feb. 1.

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