Panera To Close Amid Pandemic After Decade In Newton Centre

NEWTON, MA — The Panera Bread, a popular meeting place in Newton Centre, will be closing for good Dec. 15.

Staff members at the restaurant are telling customers that the company is not renewing the lease on its Centre Street restaurant, but that all the employees were given jobs at other area Paneras.

According to Newton-Needham Chamber President Greg Reibman, the Newton Centre Panera has been open for 10 years. Its closure means it will join the other vacant storefronts on Centre Street.

"You always have to be concerned when you lose a business like that," Reibman said. "But it is a pretty desirable location. I would be optimistic that something could move in there once we see the economy come back in the spring."

Throughout the past few years several area Paneras have closed, including one in Coolidge Corner. The closest Panera is now on Highland Avenue in Needham. Patch has reached out to Panera for comment.

"It was definitely a place where people would go to connect and it is a shame when you lose one of those," said Reibman.

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.