Around Town

LETTER: Is There a Way for Watertown to Avoid Losing a Gem like Russo’s?

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To the Editor:

I just saw on line that Russo’s is closing. This store has been a cherished family-owned retailer for more than 70 years, and we are deeply grateful to Tony Russo and his family and to their wonderful employees for their dedication and hard work – and for all their contributions to our community. We wish Tony and his family a happy, healthy, and well-deserved retirement. And we wish the Russo’s employees all the best as they face an uncertain future when Russo’s closes. Russo’s is a gem.  What will happen to Watertown when it is gone??!!! I think that all the Russo’s customers — and this includes shoppers from all across metropolitan Boston, not only Watertown — view Russo’s as a unique resource for excellent reasonably-priced produce and fruit, a great bakery, and wonderful source of cheeses and prepared foods — plus plants and gardening supplies and Christmas trees. For many of us, Russo’s is a weekly destination for shopping and for seeing neighbors. Many say that Russo’s has a positive effect on Watertown property values. And I and many others fear that the loss of Russo’s would be a blow to the character of our city.

Around Town

Russo’s Market Will Be Closing, Owner Announces Retirement

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An institution in Watertown will be closing later this year when Russo’s market closes its doors after more than 100 years since it started business as a farm. The announcement was sent out by the store on Sunday, Aug. 15, on Facebook, and a statement was also posted on the Russo’s website. A Facebook post said that Tony Russo will be retiring later this year. He recalled working with his grandparents on the farm and his father and uncle at the wholesale warehouse.

Business

One Watertown Institution Reopening After COVID-19 Break, Another Scaling Back; Latest Case Numbers

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Donohue’s Bar & Grill reopened after two weeks off due to the Coronavirus outbreak. A mainstay in the Watertown restaurant scene will be reopening after a couple weeks off during the Coronavirus outbreak, while a popular local market will be closing for in-store shopping. Over the weekend, J.D. Donohue announced that Donohue’s Bar & Grill will begin serving meals and alcohol for take out and deliver starting on Monday, April 6. “We closed after St. Patrick’s Day to give staff and kitchen staff and myself time to be quarantined,” Donohue said.

Arax Market

Watertown Markets Offering Alternatives to In-Store Shopping During Coronavirus Outbreak

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People who cannot go to a store, or do not want to in a social distancing effort during the Coronavirus outbreak, have some alternatives at two Watertown markets. At Russo’s, 560 Pleasant St., customers can order delivery through the Mercato website (click here), or they can order a Russo’s Box and pick it up in the market’s parking lot. There are two Box options, one for $50 and the larger size for $100. Each includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, bread, milk, eggs and more. See details by clicking here.

Business

Singing Deli Worker Delights Russo’s Shoppers, Becomes an Internet Sensation

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A Facebook video of a Russo’s deli worker singing Christmas songs has gone viral, and caught the attention of news outlets both locally and nationally. 

Gillie Assuncao began working at Russo’s just four months ago as a dishwasher but now works in the market’s deli area. The Brazilian native also has an amazing baritone voice. The store posted a video of Assuncao singing to customers over the weekend and it took off. It also caught the attention of media, both locally and nationally. He has been interviewed by news outlets, including Boston’s WBZ Channel 4 and the national ABC News.

Business

Russo’s Owner: Rumors Not True, Store Will Remain Open for a “Long Time”

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The owner of Russo’s & Sons Market responded to rumors and said there are no plans to close the the destination market and garden store in Watertown. The rumors of Russo’s closing surfaced over the weekend, and spread online. Principal owner Tony Russo said he heard about them, but said there is no truth to them. “We’re not closing,” Russo said. “We have no immediate plans to sell the stand.”

Police/Fire

Police Log: Man Caught Red Handed Trying to Cash Fraudulent Check and More

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The following information was provided by the Watertown Police Department. 

Arrests

July 7, 3:18 p.m.: An officer stopped a vehicle after taking a left at a stop sign without stopping. The officer discovered the driver did not have a license. A 27-year-old man from Hyde Park was arrested on charges of unlicensed driving and failing to stop. July 7, 5:51 p.m.: A 24-year-old Watertown woman was arrested on two counts of domestic assault and battery. July 8, 12:56 a.m.: An officer spotted a car driving with no headlights or taillights on.