Around Town

Ode to Russo’s and a Longtime Employee from His Two Daughters

By |

Phil Amatangelo worked at Russo’s market for nearly 50 years. The news that Russo’s market will be closing hit many people hard, and sparked plenty of memories. None more so, perhaps, than for a pair of daughters of a man who worked at the Watertown institution for just short of half a century. Anne Korte and Susan Amatangelo shared just a handful of memories of their father Phil Amatangelo with Watertown News. The Italian immigrant settled in the Boston area and his ties to the Russo family go way back, said Anne, who lives in Watertown.

Business

Sweetgreen Opens Friday, Meals Sold on Opening Day Benefit Watertown Food Pantry

By |

Arsenal Yards is home to the newest location of sweetgreen. The following announcement was provided by sweetgreen:

On Friday, August 27, sweetgreen, the seasonal restaurant with the mission of connecting people to real food, opens its newest Boston-area restaurant at Arsenal Yards (100 Bond Square, Watertown, MA 02472). 

The space will be able to accommodate 24 guests inside, with a spacious patio for an additional 26 diners to enjoy salads and bowls during Boston’s summer months. Sweetgreen features fresh, seasonal food, including salads, warm bowls and plates. Earlier this year, sweetgreen went through a complete rebrand, and the Arsenal Yards space will reflect the company’s newest look decorated with updated posters, graphics and photography. For every meal sold on opening day, sweetgreen will donate a meal to its local impact partner, Watertown Food Pantry, to nourish those who are  food insecure in the Watertown community.

Around Town

Open Houses Across Watertown This Weekend

By |

See all the open houses around town this week. $845,900 – 28 Hall Ave., Multi-family Home – 2 Family, 2,196 Living Area Sq. Ft. 2 Units, 9 Total Rooms, 5 Total Bedrooms, Open Houses: Saturday 11-12:30 Sunday 11-12:30

$829,000 – 5 Highland Ave., Single Family – Detached Bungalow, 1,926 Living Area Sq. Ft.

Charles River

LETTER: Resident Would Like to See Russo’s Redevelopment to Bring Life to that Part of Pleasant Street

By |

Watertown will miss Russo’s. Tony has been a friend to many of us (and our dogs) and has worked to implement Watertown Local First, the single use plastic bag ban (in the days before the pandemic), and supported green issues in town. He also has taken it upon himself to organize cleanups of the public space beside his property to the river. We are sorry to see him sell, but I am most concerned about the land use between Russo’s and the river. Watertown has an important role to play in saving our long riverfront for access by the public.

Around Town

LETTER: Loss of Russo’s Hurts, But Watertown Still Has Many Gems

By |

To the Editor:

Reports of culture’s demise in Watertown are greatly exaggerated. Is there a way for Watertown to avoid losing a gem like Russo’s, some have asked? (https://www.watertownmanews.com/2021/08/16/letter-is-there-a-way-for-watertown-to-avoid-losing-a-gem-like-russos/) The simple answer is no. There isn’t any one shop that can replace Russo’s in Watertown. That’s gone; like so many of gentrified Boston’s mainstays such as No Names, Durgin-Park, soon-to-be closed Kowloon, Circle Pizza, Jimmy’s Harborside, Anthony’s, and so many more.

Real Estate

10 Properties Sold in Watertown This Week

By |

Seven condos, two multi-families, and a single family home sold this week in town. $675,000 – 67 Maplewood St. Unit 2, Condo – 2/3 Family, 1,325 Living Area Sq. Ft., 5 Room, 3 Bedroom, 1 Full Bathroom

$320,000 – 32 Whites Ave. Unit 65D, Condo – High-Rise, 550 Living Area Sq.

Business

Russo’s Property Sold for North of $30 Million, Will be Closing in October

By |

Russo’sA produce shelf in Russo’s market, which will be closing in October. The price tag for properties on Pleasant Street owned by Russo’s came in well above the assessed value, according to reported sales prices, and the beloved market and garden center will be closing in October. Loyal customers mourned the news of the impending closing of the Watertown institution. Russo’s began as a family farm in 1893 and they sold their produce in Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. It was started by owner Tony Russo’s grandfather Antonio, who emigrated from a village near Naples, Italy.

Around Town

Open Houses Scheduled for This Weekend in Watertown

By |

These properties are having open houses this weekend. $1,019,000 – 29 Commonwealth Road Unit 2, Condo – 2/3 Family, 1,763 Living Area Sq. Ft. (Includes Finished Basement), 7 Room, 3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bathroom, Open Houses: Saturday 11-12:30 Sunday 11-12:30

$825,000 – 15 Whitman Road, Single Family – Detached Colonial, 1,499 Living Area Sq. Ft., 6 Room, 3 Bedroom, 2 Full Bathroom, Open Houses: Saturday 12-1:30 Sunday 11-12:30

$1,249,000 – 248 School Unit 248, Condo – Townhouse, 2,415 Living Area Sq.