Charlie Dippolito checks out the new Central Perk on Newbury Street and suggests you leave it to the tourists who want to sit on a replica couch and buy "Friends" tchotchkes as the "Friends" song plays over and over and over and eat sandwiches that are just like what you could get at Panera, only more expensive and with "Friends"-based names.
The Bay State Banner considers what the arrival of a Starbucks at the strip mall on River Street on the Hyde Park/Mattapan line might say about impending gentrification.
The Boston Licensing Board yesterday approved plans for a Newbury Street coffee-like shop based on a fictional New York coffeehouse whose name is a play on that of a famous New York park. Read more.
The Zoning Board of Appeal today approved plans to replace a former Qdoba with a 16-seat Starbucks at 540 Commonwealth Ave., across from the former Buckminster Hotel in Kenmore Square. Read more.
Public Coffee, 182 Hyde Park Ave. in Jamaica Plain, announced today it's shutting down on Saturday. It opened (with protests) in February.
Boston Restaurant Talk reports Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment plans to open a coffeehouse called Central Perk, as in the place where the Friends used to hang out, on Newbury Street. Maybe the cardboard cutouts of Chandler and Phoebe we assume they'll have could throw down with the cardboard cutouts of Norm and Cliff from Cheers in a battle of sitcom dominance.
Rendering of proposed Blank Street Coffee.
The Zoning Board of Appeal today approved plans by a Brooklyn-based coffeehouse chain that specializes in cold brews to turn a former real-estate office at 489 East Broadway in South Boston into a place where baristas can ply their trade - right around the corner from the more old-school PS Gourmet, which sells giant-sized "buckets" of flavored iced coffee. Read more.
A Dorchester man who says the Dunkin' mobile app sometimes adds unexpected overcharges for everything from cream cheese on his bagels to whipped cream on his frozen hot chocolate has filed what he hopes will be a class-action suit against the company. Read more.
Jejes Coffee House, 259 Washington St. in Wellesley, is scheduled to open Wednesday, with certification to serve kosher coffee and pastries.
It's owned by Jejes Coffee Roasters of Sharon. It's opening comes a few days before the planned opening of a new kosher tavern in Somerville.
Boston Restaurant Talk reports Pomona Cafe and Wine Bar is looking to open its third Massachusetts outlet at 18 Meridian St. in Maverick Square. They'll start out with coffee, smoothies, salads, sandwiches and grain bowls, then add alcohol if they can get a liquor license.
Public Coffee Co., 182 Hyde Park Ave. in Jamaica Plain, affiliated with a Wesleyan start-up church, held its official grand opening this morning - with several people standing outside protesting Wesleyan positions on LGBTQ people and abortion. Read more.
Boston Police report this guy got steaming mad over the way a worker at the McDonald's at 301 Warren St. in Roxbury prepared his coffee around 12:15 p.m. on Thursday, to the point where he felt he had grounds to shove "a glass encased bakery warmer off the counter, causing it to shatter behind the counter."
If Time for Decaf Guy looks familiar, contact detectives at 617-343-4275 or the anonymous tip line by calling 800-494-TIPS or by texting TIP to CRIME (27463).
Strikers and supporters outside Cleveland Circle Starbucks. Photo by Saul Tannenbaum.
Workers at several Boston Starbucks walked off the job this morning as part of a nationwide strike, including: Cleveland Circle, 1304 Commonwealth Ave. and 217 Western Ave. in Brighton, 874 Commonwealth Ave. at BU and Federal Street downtown.
Shia during licensing hearing.
Update: License approved.
The Boston Licensing Board decides tomorrow whether to grant a food-service license to Madhouse Cafe, 24 Blue Hill Ave. in Roxbury, to serve coffee and pastries between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Read more.
Dan Esdale captured the fire - and firefighters working to put it out - at Caffe Nero in Somerville's Assembly Row around 1:30 p.m.: Read more.
The Boston Licensing Board today approved food-serving licenses for the Public Coffee Co. at 182 Hyde Park Ave. in Jamaica Plain and the Well coffeehouse at 63 Kelly Square in East Boston. Read more.
The owner of Brodway's Pastry, 258 West Broadway, has plans to create what could be the neighborhood's first place where older residents could relax with an espresso after a day of shopping or just after dinner, like Caffè Vittoria or Caffè Paradiso in the North End. Read more.
Help keep Universal Hub going. If you like what we're up to and want to help out, please consider a (completely non-deductible) contribution.
