Newton Small Business Pop-Up Series To Take Place Every Thursday Soon

NEWTON, MA – A new small business summer lunch pop-up series is set to debut in West Newton.

Beginning on Thursday, June 22 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and continuing every Thursday this summer, restaurants and small businesses from across Newton are popping up at West Newton’s Allen Center to offer patrons lunch, shopping, and entertainment.

Lobster rolls, made-to-order pizzas, charcuterie boards, conchas, horchatas, and more are set to be on the menu, with local shops, artisans, and kid’s craft activities part of the mix, too.

“I can’t think of a better place to be on a Thursday afternoon in Newton this summer,” Lauren Berman of local marketing firm ALL Over Newton, coordinator of the pop-up series, said in a news release. “It’s the perfect spot for families, friends, and co-workers to grab lunch, shop from a local small business, connect, listen to music, and just kick back and have fun.”

A different Newton restaurant will be showcased each Thursday, with Bettina’s Bakery, a cozy German-Honduran eatery in Upper Falls, kicking off the series.

Shops and artisans will also rotate each week, providing new businesses and activities to explore.

The Allen Center is a historic property that was a progressive school run by abolitionist and educator Nathaniel Topliff Allen in the mid-19th century, and was also a stop on the Underground Railroad. The Newton Cultural Alliance completed major renovations on the property during the pandemic, and it now serves as the city’s cultural hub.

"We’re excited about hosting the summer pop-up series at the Allen Center,” Adrienne Hartzell-Knudsen, Managing Director of The Allen Center and Newton Cultural Alliance, said. "We envisioned the Center as a meeting spot for drawing the community together and these pop-ups do just that."

Pop-ups will be held from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursdays beneath a tent on the Allen Center’s outdoor patio, located at 35 Webster St. in West Newton. The schedule for each week, including lunch menus and ordering instructions can be found here.

Lunch-goers are asked to order their meals in advance, helping restaurants gauge demand.

Pop-ups will be held rain or shine and moved indoors during inclement weather. Parking is available in the lot at the corner of Webster and Cherry Streets. Community members with questions are encouraged to email Berman at lauren@allovernewton.com.