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Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Lil' Vinny's To Say Goodbye To Magoun Square



After almost 12 years in Magoun Square, Lil' Vinny's will be closing its doors to make way for a new "retro" eatery featuring executive chef, Rachel Klein, according to the Somerville Journal.

With their alcohol license granted last Monday night, the stage is now set for Magoun Square to experience a business addition it has not felt since 2006 when Olde Magoun's Saloon opened its doors.

Lil' Vinny's entered the square during a real transition period for the business district and played an important role in putting Magoun on the map. The popular Italian restaurant remained a stake holder while other businesses, such as G Case Bakery, came and went.

In talking to Tony, it seems that there are no regrets and he is eager to move on to a whole new life after the doors are shut for the final time at 525 Medford Street.

I would like to thank all who made Lil' Vinny's what it was and look forward to patronizing and advertising the new arrival!

7 comments:

Amanda said...

Courtney, do you know when they are closing?? We JUST bought a Groupon for them!

Winter Hill Barney said...

Well, that's a shame. I just went there recently for the first time and really enjoyed it. (Based on reading about it on this blog, as a matter of fact.) It's a great neighborhood place that I wish I had checked out earlier.

I had the impression they have been reinvesting and were planning on staying around for a while. And the dining room was completely full when I went.

Oh well. Best of luck to both them and the "retro eatery".

Courtney O'Keefe said...

Hi Amanda,

A time frame of 6 weeks has been given. So, you have two options: 1.) Get there soon or 2.) Ask Groupon for a reimbursement.

Anonymous said...

If you liked Little Vinny,s in Magoun Square, and upset at their closing, don't despair, for the likes of their offerings are not far away.

Little Vinny's in Magoun Square was a family spin-off of Vinny's Ristorante at 76 Broadway, east of Sullivan Square. At that original Vinny's location you will find great Sicilian cooking.... lunch, dinners, and a fantastic Deli; great sub sandwiches made to order. Licensed for beer and wine.
Years ago, before their beer and wine license was granted, we use to brown-bag our own beer and wine, mostly wine, to drink with meals. It was okay with Vinny.


Parking is limited to on-street parking, could be a problem, but what else is new in Somerville. Public tranportation is readily accessible; as is good old-fashioned walking.
Somehow the Broadway venue has suvived many decades at that location in spite of the parking.

Anonymous said...

Correction to above.....

Vinny's Broadway Ristorante is WEST of Sullivan Square---not EAST of.
Sorry about that!

And "NO" I'm not related or tied to that restaurant in any way, other then having been a satisfied customer of theirs for many years; plus frequenting Little Vinny's in Magoun Square from time to time. Sorry to see that venue closing.

I remember when Rose Hardware Store occupied the building where Little Vinny's is/was located.

And Sloane's Furniture Store was across the street--Yes, the same Sloane Family that started Century Banks as we know those banks today.
The Sloane family lived within walking distance of the square.
Marshall Sloane, son of the founder, attended the Bingham School on Lowell Street---grades K to 6.
Long since demolished and replaced by two apartment buildings on the east side of Lowell Street; a short walk south of Magoun Square--opposite Wilton Street.
A penny/nickel candy store on Wilton long since gone; converted to housing.

Magoun Square was a vibrant neighborhood business enclave those years; mostly walk-ing trade.

Mary N said...

Sorry to see it closing but look forward to a new eatery in somerville.

Jennie said...

Don't be fooled. "big Vinny's" on broadway is ok, but there is no replacement for "Lil Vinny's" which has been our favorite for years! Hope to see a new Lil Vinny's site soon, and will likely never visit Big Vinny's again.