Another Somerville Restaurant Shuts Down

SOMERVILLE, MA — A vegan restaurant closed over the weekend after a decade in Teele Square. True Bistro announced its closure on Facebook saying Sunday brunch on Sept. 6 would be its last day of business "until further notice."

While the statement did not specifically mention the coronavirus pandemic, it alluded to its impact on independent restaurants:

"The best way that you can take action to protect independent restaurants, is to contact your local representative about the Restaurants Act and ask that they pass this business-saving legislation. If you're interested, more information on the Restaurants Act is available at saverestaurants.com. Thank you!"

The restaurant opened about 10 years ago in the former Teele Square Cafe space, Boston Restaurant Talk reported. Its menu included vegan dishes like white bean dip, pasta salad, vegetable lasagna and more.

It's the latest in a string of closures to hit the Somerville restaurant scene. Music club Thunder Road and popular bar Bull McCabe's both shut down at the end of August, citing the challenges of the pandemic.

Bull McCabe's owner Brian Manning said it was the final straw following a difficult few years for the pub.

"The last six months have taken an incredible toll on all of us, and while the restaurant/bar/music venue industry as a whole has been decimated, Mom-and-Pop shops like ours, especially, have been crushed," Manning said. "We're a 780 sq.-ft music venue, not easily-aligned with social distancing, and we have been struggling to stay afloat for a long time. Legal battles, construction, an ever-changing neighborhood, and many other causes have made it increasingly difficult for us over the past few years."

See Also: MA Patch Local Business Information Center: A Community Resource