Boston Common Coffee Co.’s North End Shop Is Closing

Boston Common Coffee Co. on Salem Street. / Image via Google Maps

A local coffee roaster is saying goodbye to its first-ever café. Boston Common Coffee Co. will shutter its Salem Street location on Monday, October 31, after 12 years in the North End, the local Patch affiliate reports.

“It’s heartbreaking, it’s the first location,” says manager Jessica Laurent, reached by phone at the shop today. She will be moving onto Boston Common Coffee Co.’s High Street location, she says.

The shop is just enough off the beaten path. It also happens to be just a couple doors away from Polcari’s Coffee, which wasn’t always a problem, but co-owner Tony Massari says Peet’s Coffee & Tea moving in and other businesses have become more of a concern.

“When you have three or four stores that all popped up over the past couple years doing what you do, it’s added pressure,” he says.

But the main reason for the closure is a lack of a longterm lease. Boston Common had signed short-term agreements and has even gone month-to-month at times over the last year.

“You don’t want to invest in the store when you have no security there,” Massari says.

Massari and partner Peter Femino opened Boston Common Coffee Co. on Salem Street in 2004. The brand has since expanded to Washington Street in Downtown Crossing, High Street in the Financial District, and Canal Street, near North Station, just about five minutes away from the North End. Its Hopedale roasting facility is also open to the public.

“We’re pretty content going back to three [cafés]. We’re doing more catering and wholesale coffee [sales],” Massari says. “As unfortunate as it may be. I met my wife there in 2005. It’s my baby. I was there every day for pretty much 10 years, before we opened Canal Street. We’ve had a lot of great employees and memories in the North End, and hopefully that will continue on Canal Street.”

Massari will be in the North End on Monday, to say goodbye to customers and to serve up free beverages. The kitchen won’t be open, and the shop will close at noon.

In addition to a full range of espresso drinks, hot coffees and teas, and cold brewed iced coffee and teas, Boston Common Coffee carries bagels and makes its own muffins, croissants, Cuban rolls, and sought-after doughnuts on Thursdays. It also offers sandwiches, wraps, soups, salads, and flatbreads.

Boston Common Coffee will operate regular hours over the weekend. On Monday, it opens at 6 a.m. to begin saying goodbye.

Boston Common Coffee Co., closing October 31 at 97 Salem St., Boston, 617-725-0040, bostoncommoncoffee.com.

UPDATE, 10/28, 4 p.m.: This story has been updated with comments from co-owner Tony Messari.