This will be the last official weekend for the legendary Bell’s Market to be open before a major construction project begins.

The project consists of the demolition of the existing single story structure occupying the site and the construction of a 5-story mixed use building with approx. 7835 square feet of ground floor retail space, 32 residential units, and 23 off-street parking spaces.

Owner George Khoury expects to reopen a new and improved Bell’s in roughly 12-18 months.  Bell’s Market has been a family owned business in South Boston since the early 1900’s when it was opened by the original owner, Sam Bell.  The market sells groceries, beer, wine and is known for its butcher counter.

Bell’s Market – circa 1939
Owner George Khoury with Dennis Conway
Special thank you to Dennis for giving us the scoop and sending us photos! 

7 Comments

  1. Brina Healy March 7, 2022 at 9:42 am - Reply

    I remember stopping in for penny candy in the mid 60’s

  2. Ann March 9, 2022 at 9:54 am - Reply

    Loved shopping here when I lived in Andrew Square…Great mixed salads on the run, and so much more…and friendly owners…Best of luck when you reopen! :)

  3. Concerned Customer March 10, 2022 at 8:25 am - Reply

    George, thank you for taking to Sadie about her over aggressive attitude towards Customers. I’m hoping when construction is over this will be like the Bells Market of older times. When the owners, ” Like Al” helped the community even when they had no money at the time and Al would give some cold cuts and bread to a mother with 3 starving kids

  4. Jerry Burke August 3, 2022 at 11:36 pm - Reply

    I remember when Bell’s was on the corner and Elm Farm (pronounced the Irish way: “El-Um Farm) was in the middle of the block.

  5. Kenny August 5, 2022 at 3:01 pm - Reply

    I Remember the Elm Farms, then it become Honey Farms and after that I think is when Bell’s moved in. Does anyone remember Ahearns Fish & Chips ? And then they opened up a muffin house on the corner of East Ninth and Dorchester St. After that it was Tony’s Pizza Place. And originally it was Abbey’s Kitchen, way back in the early 60’s. The good old days in Southie.

  6. Joseph Berlo March 18, 2023 at 7:43 pm - Reply

    I am so missing some gray corned beef,,Bells was the only go to place for as long I remember,,couldn’t be soon enough,,love yuz,miss yuz

  7. James murphy May 20, 2023 at 12:24 pm - Reply

    operated a Dental office at 254 Dorchester ave in 70s . Matty Cohen owned Bells Market then his son Al

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