Bathroom-Based Restaurant on the Common, Todd English Owes Thousands in Back Rent

DOWNTOWN BOSTON

Sandwich Shop in Former Boston Common Bathroom to Open in October
After spending about $1 million to restore the former public bathroom on the Boston Common, the Earl of Sandwich signed a 15-year lease and plans to open next month. 

CHARLESTOWN

English Owes $723k in Back Rent on Olives

Todd English apparently owes nearly three quarters of a million to a Charlestown property-owner for rent unpaid while Olives remained dormant.

ARLINGTON

Gemma Site Could Become ‘Cooper’s Tavern’

The recently closed Gemma Ristorante in Arlington Center might become “Cooper’s Tavern.” If approved, Cooper’s Tavern will be just steps away from the original Cooper’s Tavern, where, on April 19, 1775, “the old men of Menotomy” planned an ambush on a British supply wagon.

Later that historic day, British troops stormed the tavern, killing Jabez Wyman and Jason Winship, both of whom were unarmed. The troops also pillaged the tavern, according to a guide by the Menotomy Minuteman Historical Trail. Today, the Cooper’s Tavern monument (pictured) in front of Starbucks marks the old site.

More Than $1 Million Going into New East Arlington Restaurant

A new restaurant is coming to East Arlington. Menotomy Grill and Tavern, which is set for the old Hollywood Video space at 25 Massachusetts Ave., received operating and all-alcohol licenses Monday from the Board of Selectmen.

The roughly 150-seat restaurant is being proposed by Arlington resident William Lyons, of Scituate Street, who most recently managed the Black Horse Tavern in Winchester and has more than two decades of experience in the restaurant business.

SOUTH END

'Drink Progressively' at the Newly Opened Urban Grape in the South End

When you walk into the South End's newest wine, beer, and liquor store, it's easy to feel intimidated at first, with more than 700 different types of wine stacked on open concept custom shelving returning your nervous gaze. 

But upon closer inspection, the entire concept of The Urban Grape is actually to make you more at ease when you're selecting the right type of wine to pair with your dinner. 

SOMERVILLE

Davis Square's Spoke Wine Bar is Under Construction

A planned wine bar run by the folks behind Dave's Fresh Pasta in Davis Square now has a name and is under construction.

Spoke Wine Bar will be located at 89 Holland St., next door to Dave's Fresh Pasta, and a sign in the window says people can visit the wine bar'sFacebook page.

Legal C, a Legal Seafood restaurant, Papagayo Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar, which offers over 180 brands of tequila, and Burger Dive, "a casual burger joint," are the first three restaurants announced for Assembly Row, according to an announcement from Federal Realty Investment Trust, Assembly Row's developers.

Assembly Row is the large development under construction in Somerville's Assembly Square. When complete, it will include residential, retail, restaurant and office space.

Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt, a national chain that will soon have 17 stores in Massachusetts, is opening in Davis Square, according to itswebsite.

Orange Leaf will open in the Davis Square Plaza complex that houses Starbucks. It's moving into the space formerly occupied by the martial arts studio School of Oom Yung Doe.