As most South Boston residents know, this town is a-changin’. Triple-deckers converted into condos. Old facades refreshed with newer and sleeker ones. Old school Southie bars transformed into trendy hot spots. The neighborhood of South Boston now has neighborhoods within the neighborhoods.
We’ve got Fort Point, The Seaport District/Innovation District, The Waterfront, Cityside, and City Point. Whether you love the change or resist it, one fact is clear, it’s not your father’s South Boston. We’ve recently had the good fortune to get some Southie scoop in regards to new businesses opening their doors in the near future.
The Paramount (South Boston)
The word is out that the good people who brought you the Paramount Cafe on Charles Street in Beacon Hill will be opening a sister spot in the old space that once housed the legendary Fish Pier. They have an early November date in the works for an opening. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with a casual American diner style, we have a feeling the new Paramount is gonna be packed. And lucky us, the Paramount obtained a full liquor license and plans on serving beer, wine, mimosas, Bloody Marys, and seasonal cocktails make with fresh fruits. Highlights of the menu to look forward to: banana and blueberry pancakes, huevos rancheros, caramel banana french toast, chicken marsala and steak tips. The Paramount is extremely excited to be opening its door in South Boston. And we can’t wait!
Here is some more information from “someone in the know” regarding some potential new businesses:
Speaking of the Paramount, we hear the owners are thinking about opening a new uber restaurant on West Broadway. The rumor is the old Payless space will be transformed into a sleek and new state of the art restaurant, bar, lounge and function room. We must admit it will be very refreshing to see that block of West Broadway be spruced up a little.
Another restaurant is slated to open in the the Cox Electric spot at the corner of L and East Broadway. As to what type of restaurant it might be, is still a mystery. We heard a potential Tasty Burger but it has not been confirmed. We’d love to see a place with the sentiments of the old IA Restaurant. Pizza, beer, wine, family friendly with maybe an indoor Bocci Court. That sounds like fun right? The Boat House is also part of this property. No word whether that’s staying or going or being renovated. Stay tuned.
A new specialty wine shop is hoping to open its door by January 2012 at 52 West Broadway. Social Wines will be selling unique wines and spirits and will offer weekly wine tastings. Sounds delightful!
After a very slow start, Foodies – a specialty grocery shop – has begun construction and plans on opening it’s doors to the good people of South Boston by the spring.
Construction has begun on the old Terrie’s Place at the corner of K & East Broadway. It’s being transformed into a sushi house. The people who own Samurai on Boylston Street in Boston hope to have their doors open for business by the end of 2011. The new restaurant promises to be modern restaurant specializing in Korean and Japanese cuisine. We also hear they will be featuring sake and scorpion bowls too.
Last rumor – we heard that the large real estate development that will be taking over the old Quiet Man and the lot next door to it directly next to Broadway Station is said to have signed a lease for a Starbucks and Subway chain to go in the ground level.
That’s what we heard! We thought we’d let you know. If you have any scoop you’d like to share with us, drop us a line at maureendahill@gmail. Thanks!
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One of the best things about Southie is the lack of Starbucks. A locally-owned coffee shop would do quite well there.
There are a number of locally owned shops. Cranberry Cafe, PS, and Java House have all served our neighborhood well for years. There are others out there, but these are my favorites.
I would love a locally owned coffee shop..totally agree. However, Southie has many and none of them really do a great job.
I just think it's funny that many say No Starbucks, but there are multiple Dunkin Donuts all over South Boston (south of the seaport).
Just to be clear, South Boston has 3 Starbucks, they are all in the Seaport area.
Have you been to Southie? There are tons of local coffee shops
I agree that the number of small/independent businesses in Southie keeps the neighborhood unique- I hope the Starbucks doesn't happen.
I agree that keeping chains out of the neighborhood preserves the charm. BUT – I would love to see another coffee shop/diner open to force the staff at Cranberry and Sidewalk to speed up their service and expand their offerings.
I would also be over the moon if one of the dry cleaners in the area would extend their hours to 7 pm so working folks could actually pick things up during the week.
Love reading "caught in southie". Love that you keep us so informed. Thanks!!
If people didn't think of South Boston residents as a bunch of drunks before, they certainly should now. It seems business thinks the 'new arrivals' can't eat a single meal without a drink in hand. And they may be right. The only businesses suceeding here, includidng so-called 'restaurants', have a bar attached to them and can't make it without a 2 o'clock liquor license.
One of the worst things about Southie are the people who think it is their God-given right to double park in front of Bailey's or park in the handicap ramp next to Sidewalk Cafe. Hopefully, that will not be the case at Starbucks.
I don't drink coffee, but I am looking forward to Starbucks because it is a sign that the neighborhood is making progress. My prediction is that we'll see another Starbucks location on the East side within a year of the Broadway location opening. Goodbye Bailey's.
CLEARLY you are not originally from southie…with that being said. If you would like NO DOUBLE PARKING and places like starbucks to take away from the locally owned businesses I suggest you move out of South Boston ASAP! Its people like you that Southie can do without!
The one of the best parts of Southie is the local coffee shops. Say no to starbucks invading this great spot!!!
I go out of my way to get coffee at PS Gourment, Java House, Sidewalk, Bailey's and Amsterdam!! Best coffee around, I feel, is in South Boston. Say NO to Starbucks!!!
That space shoudl be for a Java House II, or a PSS Gourmet….something local!!
It's wonderful that people move into an area that is known for its uniqueness and has its customs and parochial social mores, and then complain about it. These people are often the same types who look down their noses at people who speak with a local accent and use local slang.
One of the things that makes Southie unique IS in fact its lack of ubiquitous chain stores/restaurants, et cetera, including no centrally-located Starbucks. Yeah, Seaport district is technically South Boston but it isn't exactly 'in the neighborhood'; that area serves the hotels and businesses in that particular area for the most part.
South Boston is quickly sliding down a slippery slope to becoming just another faceless neighborhood, akin to Kenmore Square and Cambridge's Central Square.
Hey, I own property in South Boston and this change isn't hurting its value, but neighborhood charm is quickly fading away.
We'll see how Paramount does, but chances are the Fish Pier will still be missed during Lent. Fish Pier was affordable and served damned fine food.
OK, Southie-centric rant over.
Check out American Cleaners just down from the Courthouse on East Broadway. There is a local coffee house and dog groomers in the same strip. The cleaners is family run, they're really helpful, they do alterations AND open until 7. Only problem: DOUBLE PARKERS! So you know it's in Southie, right?
I still think it's interesting that no one cares that there are already 4 Dunkin Donuts (16,000 location worlwide) in the area.
Even more interesting is that fact that no one is jumping on Subway going on. Subway is the largest franchise in the entire world. Don't you think that $5 footlong is going to take a bite out of several locally owned and operated sandwich shops?
I'm just curious why Dunkin is ok and it's ok for Subway to come in and hurt sub shops but Starbucks faces so much protest.
As I said in my prior post, I 100% support GOOD local coffee shops, when they are there I frequent them. Southie has many shops, all Dunkin/Honeydew type models with lighter coffee. If someone wants to start a local shop that doesn't model itself after the Dunkin coffee type and serves a variety of coffees that are stronger with good espresso then please do!
Good food is rare those days and fast food is not good food.
seaport is not really southie – its the snot nosed brat side of town
what about Burger King??
Absolutely terrible. Noise level is ridiculous. Impossible to carry on a conversation. Baby strollers everywhere, blocking people in their seats and creating a fire hazard. Absolutey insane to have to stand in line, order, pay and then everyone in the party gets their food at a different time so order #1 is done eating before order #2 even arrives. There are many enjoyable places to eat in South Boston. This is NOT one of them.
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Here’s how it works – if Southie REALLY loves their locally-owned businesses as much as they SAY they do, then you all have no need to worry about Starbucks, because no one will go there and the store will eventually be closed.
But I suspect that you realize what will happen instead. All of the people lined up here to complain will be lined up in the Bux, Starbucks card out, waiting on their Skinny Vanilla Latte or Mocha Frappucino Light.
It’s just a repitition of a longstanding phenomenon – people yap on and on about small business and local ownership and then vote the complete opposite way with their dollars. Then they complain some more. Witness the bookstores – everyone lamented the demise of the small bookstore, but didn’t shop at one before or after Borders or B&N displaced it. Why? Because, even though these customers won’t admit it, big corporate chains offer consumers things that Mom & Pop just can’t. And those things outweigh the “locally owned” factor when it’s buying time.
How does a person obeying traffic and parking laws hurt locally-owned businesses, exactly? And why do you want law abiding people who are courteous and aware enough to understand the inconvenience double parking causes others to LEAVE Southie? I’m confused.
I find this funny. You don’t want people to have options (or wifi) with their coffee, or to be nuisanced by your double parking, so your solution to this “problem” if for people to leave Southie. Believe me the average person in Southie doesnt want your lot around at all, because it is embarrassing.
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