You will be missed.
Today the Cornerstone Pub was officially torn down to make room for a new building. With the ever-changing landscape of South Boston, especially the area of Broadway Station, it should be no surprise that the owners of the Cornerstone Pub – located at 16 West Broadway – decided to sell. West Broadway has been transformed in the past few years into an area of multi-million dollar condos, yoga and cycle studios, trendy restaurants, and even a Starbucks. A new boutique hotel is also on the horizon.
The Cornerstone celebrated its last night in business on Saturday, April 18th at 7pm with a blowout bash with a DJ, dancing, and performer Al Crest will be singing some tunes too.
The Cornerstone was owned by Southie resident and retired firefighter Tommy Flaherty, Sr. It opened in 1939 as the Broadway Tunnel Cafe and was then renamed in 1979 after Tommy Flaherty took it over.
“What will really make me happy is to see my father be able to truly relax after 38 years of running this 24-hour-a-day business. It seemed like he was always on duty down there. What I think I’ll miss most is some of the great people, especially our staff, who have passed through over the years. I think the history of The Cornerstone and its employees and customers really are a big part of what the real Southie is all about,” said Tommy Flaherty, Jr.
Many a “time” and political fundraiser have been held at the Cornerstone and the Cornerstone was….well…a cornerstone in the neighborhood. Along with other local landmarks like the Quencher Tavern, Liberty Bell, the big red house on East Broadway, the Cornerstone disappering is a sign of the times for a new gentrified South Boston.
We will miss you Cornerstone!
Lower End homeowner since 2005. Mom of three BPS kids. Friend to all except those who don’t clean up after their dogs and/or who put their trash out in kitchen bags (seriously, people, it’s not that hard to use a barrel). Queen of the Nerds (okay that one is only in my dreams).
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I love that Southie is becoming one of the hotest neighborhoods in Boston, but it is sad when institutions like this close. I feel like there is room for “new and trendy” but really dislike cornerstone businesses like this to leave as a result.
Cornerstone banned Sam Adams beer because Sam Adams backed out of the St. Patricks Day Parade because vetran gays were not able to march. Times have changed in Southie and this bar did not change with the times so its time to move on. Looking forward to bars that don't discriminate against Gays or anyone for that matter. Good Riddance!
Guess they couldn't turn a profit after they stopped selling Sam Adams. Homophobia isn't tolerated in Boston.
I didn't think this site allowed yuppie bashing. So yuppies can suck but don't you dare comment on any of the "protected" classes. This site is such a joke.
In an earlier article, someone had commented that none of the original people from southie read your blog anymore because there are no comments with atrocious grammatical errors, ranting about yuppies. Apparently they are still reading your blog!!
^obligatory south boston today writer post
Any place that doesnt make new comers welcome (and by that I mean anyone who didn't hang with Whitey B.) , will eventually run out of customers. That was the case with Cornerstone. Amrhein's, Mels on the other hand, continue to thrive.
I never understand all the comments about how much yuppies are hated in Southie. Do you expect this place to turn into a ghost town once all the aging locals die off? You always need fresh blood to keep things going. Besides, your families will make bank when they inherit your house that you bought for $20k in like 1962, which is now worth $750k. You're welcome. – a yuppie who pays her own mortgage (zero funding from parents, but that's funny whoever said that)
Are you serious Mels? This is exactly why I stopped listening to you incessantly whining newbies. You people have no idea where you moved to.
Making newcomers welcome? Watching you newcomers waiting in line in front of the Lincoln and Playwright shows what the owners think of you newcomers!