Coronavirus ends the Jamaica Plain institution of Bella Luna

Bella Luna Restaurant and Milkyway Lounge, which survived a traumatic move from Hyde Square to the Brewery complex, couldn't beat Covid-19: It announced today it's shutting for good because the very nature of its business - a social gathering place - is now untenable due to Covid-19 concerns.

The mission of our business is to gather people together in groups, to foster social closeness - the opposite of social distancing. Gathering in groups is not going to be a safe activity until there is a widely-available vaccine or treatment. We are not comfortable putting our team members and guests at risk of contracting the virus while working and dining in our space. Also, the public health hazards of Covid-19 will exist for over a year; and without being able to operate at full capacity, our business is not financially sustainable.

The restaurant and lounge became a JP meeting spot over its nearly 28-year history, and continued even as it had to shut its candlepin lanes and pick up and move several blocks away in 2008 after a rent dispute with its Hyde Square landlord.

Thank you for making Bella Luna & The Milky Way your second home, for becoming friends with us and our team, for celebrating life’s most precious moments with us. It has been our honor to serve you all.

We are proud of having created a vibrant and safe space for all, founded in the values of generosity, inclusivity, creativity and respect. We are proud of our team members, past and present, who worked with tremendous dedication and commitment to carry out our special brand of hospitality with a purpose. We are proud of our wonderful promoting partners and the countless talented performers who expressed themselves through music, dance, art, spoken word, opera, crafts, comedy, story-telling & fashion, and to all who came to witness and celebrate that talent. Thank you all for having fun and creating community in our space. We are proud of having used our business to support so many amazing non-profit organizations and individuals working to build a better Boston; thank you for giving us the opportunity to help.