small business Archives - Cambridge | Somerville Independent

A music lover’s music club called Altar may finally have found its home in Cambridge’s Central Square (corrected)

by Marc Levy May 6, 2026

Central Square could be within a few weeks of knowing the address of Altar, its next nightclub. But founder John Kearney doesn’t want to get ahead of himself.

BUSINESS

Electric and cargo bike pioneer Bicycle Belle closes Aug. 1, leaving others to peddle pedals

by Marc Levy May 5, 2026

Founder and owner, Carice Reddien Pingenot, announced the closing on Tuesday, saying she needed a break and time to focus on her family.

FOOD

Owner plans to close S&S Restaurant in Inman this summer

by Marc Levy May 1, 2026

S&S Restaurant owner Gary Mitchell hints at “other things” coming after the deli ends its 107-year run in Inman Square.

FOOD

Prepare for Nostalgia, where coffee and vintage clothing mix, and learn what happened to Nine Winters Bakery

by Julia Carpi April 29, 2026

Somerville welcomes a hybrid cafe and vintage clothing store called Nostalgia while the taste fades from the celebrated Nine Winters Bakery in Cambridge.

ARTS

Life Drawing Boston draws love from its community along with an entertainment license

by Marc Levy April 23, 2026

Life Drawing Boston is drawing life to Somerville’s Inner Belt and plans to add regular entertainment such as performances, dances and variety shows.

MENU

Korean fried chicken and two new Brazilian restaurants for Somerville; a cafe for Cambridge

by Marc Levy April 23, 2026

On the Menu this week: A few announced and expected openings, from cafe fare to Korean and Brazilian grill and pães de queijo, and goodbye to the ArtBar.

BUSINESS

Somerville is letting restaurants, bars and clubs expand their hours for the World Cup

by Marc Levy April 22, 2026

For the coming summer weeks of World Cup soccer, businesses with alcoholic beverage licenses can opt in for 9 a.m. openings and 3 a.m. closings.

MENU

Get a peek at the new Urban Hearth; Bon Me has a meal subscription; Assembly Row adds farmers market

by Marc Levy April 15, 2026

See the new Urban Hearth and get a last meal at the location that’s closing; meals by chef Ali Fong at home; a new June-to-October farmers market.

BUSINESS

In preparing for World Cup soccer, goals range from moneymaking to surviving a hooligan siege

by Marc Levy April 8, 2026

Public safety officials are bracing for the World Cup – first an onslaught of licensing needs and then a possible invasion of hooligans.

ART AND DESIGN

‘Starting From Scratch’ shares success secrets from self-made artists, including one venturing into software

by Marc Levy April 5, 2026

It’s not easy making art for a living, but three self-taught creators in Somerville share stories in April about how they bootstrapped their way to a breakthrough.