Two items addressed in last night’s Select Board meeting will get some readers excited — especially residents who have been clamoring for more shopping and restaurant options in town.
The meeting included a progress update on a future Costco. Members also approved licenses for owners of two local Mexican restaurants to open a third location in Southborough. And while I’m sharing those updates, I’ll add other restaurant updates, including a smoothie place also making plans to open in town soon.
Costco Update
According to Select Board member Kathy Cook, Costco has signed the “legally binding” lease with Atlantic Management for its new location at the old EMC parcel.
On Tuesday, she told the board that representatives were in town this week to “get everything set as far as the construction goes”. They also reached out to Town Administrator Mark Purple to make sure the Town is working on helping to get the liquor license needed. She followed, “So, we’ve got to make sure we proceed with that timely”. (I’d expect to see a related Article in the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting scheduled for Saturday, April 11th.)
Purple updated that Town Counsel has “prodded the Attorney General’s office” to get a quick approval on the zoning bylaw that voters passed to allow Costco to apply for a special permit for the use at 21 Coslin Drive. He explained that they want to ensure there wouldn’t be an impediment if Costco wants to begin the approval process with the Planning Board soon.
Lalo’s to replace vacant Hola!
In early November, the Mexican restaurant Hola! suddenly closed its doors without any public announcements.
The closing came less than a year and a half after Tomasso’s, the restaurant in the neighboring suite, did the same thing. That location is still vacant today. (Scroll down for more on that.)
Fortunately, the turnaround in finding a new tenant to fill the gap that Hola! left has been much faster. Last night, Vanessa Ceja and Gerardo Guzman, the couple that owns Lalo’s Mexican Kitchen & Bar in Marlborough and Hudson, attended the Select Board meeting. Their attorney explained that they were seeking to open their third location in the site vacated by Hola!. They will keep the physical structure, and just “do some upgrades make it beautiful.” He described it as an upscale restaurant.
The board made clear they were happy about the development. Kathy Cook who works in an office in the building next door was especially enthusiastic. She encouraged the couple to reach out to her about “how to entice the lunch crowd that’s around there in those buildings”. She noted that they currently don’t have anyplace close to go.
The business owners were unanimously granted the liquor license and common victualer’s license. Upon questioning, Ceja said they are “roughly” targeting April for opening.
As for the neighboring suite that has been vacant since Tomasso’s shut its doors in July 2024, I don’t have firm news on what will happen. But I do have an update.
This past summer, the property owner, Capital Group Properties, received approval for a change of use to turn the suite into a bank for the “proposed” tenant JP Morgan Chase. That is consistent with news reports that the bank has continued to open new locations in our state even while rivals close down branches.
But, again, the bank was referred to as a “proposed tenant”. And I’ve also seen Facebook rumors of a restaurant (Plan B) that was purportedly coming. So I’m not confident on what is happening with suite 140.
[Editor’s Note: I got confirmation that the rumor was wrong. The lease has been signed. Tomasso’s will be replaced by Chase Bank.]
(If anyone has substantiated news, please reach out to share with readers! Unfortunately, the Town is without even a part-time Economic Coordinator these days, despite having approved raising taxes to pay for a full time one. But that’s a story that’s on my long to do list of Town news to cover.)
Fresh Monkee
In September, the Planning Board approved a Site Plan for changed use to Ferris Development for the office complex at 118 Turnpike Rd. This time, the change was to convert an office use in Suite 101 to allow “fast food” in that location. Their tenant is Fresh Monkee. The chain sells, protein shakes and smoothies.
The Planning Board was enthusiastic about the business and its location by a popular workout facility. Before they can open, the Zoning Board of Appeals will apparently need to approve the shared parking plan for the site. In the meeting, the planned opening was referred to as late that year or early this year.
As of today, Fresh Monkee’s website lists the Southborough location with a “coming soon”.
Updated (1/8/25 8:28 am): Chase Bank signed the lease to take over the space at the old Tomasso’s
