Summer Lunch Pop-Up Series Debuts in West Newton

Local Restaurants & Small Businesses come to The Allen Center

This summer, on Thursdays beginning June 22nd, restaurants and small businesses from across Newton are popping up at West Newton’s Allen Center for a one-stop lunch, shopping, and entertainment destination. On the menu are lobster rolls, made-to-order pizzas, charcuterie plates, Cubanos, ice cream, and more from Newton’s eclectic restaurants. Local shops and artisans, kid’s craft activities, and before-lunch exercise classes are part of the mix, too.

“I can’t think of a better place to be on a Thursday afternoon in Newton this summer,” said Lauren Berman of local marketing firm ALL Over Newton, coordinator of the pop-up series. “It’s the perfect spot for families, friends, and office workers to grab lunch, listen to music, connect, and just kick back.”

Every Thursday showcases a different Newton restaurant and type of cuisine. The kick-off event on June 22nd features Bettina’s Bakery, a cozy German-Honduran eatery in Upper Falls.

“Since opening in the fall of 2021, we’ve been steadily increasing our regular customer base with our German and Latino inspired pastries, lunch offerings, and custom cakes and cookies,” said Bettina Scemama, owner of Bettina’s Bakery.  “Popping up at the Allen Center gives us the opportunity to share our unique, scratch-made menu with a broader audience.”

Shops and artisans rotate each week, too, so there are always new businesses and activities to explore. Shara Ertel, owner of retail shop Fulfilled Goods, the city’s first low-waste market and refillery, is excited about introducing her shop’s sustainable products and mission to a wider audience.

“As a new, small business it’s challenging to get the word out about our shop, including who we are, and what we offer,” Ertel said. “The Allen Center pop-ups let us showcase our business, sell products, and encourage shoppers to visit us in Newtonville.”

The Allen Center is a historic property with a storied past. In the mid-19th century, it was a progressive school run by abolitionist and educator Nathaniel Topliff Allen and was also a stop on the Underground Railroad. The Newton Cultural Alliance completed major renovations on the property during the pandemic, and, fittingly, it now serves as the city’s cultural hub.

”We’re excited about hosting the summer pop-up series at the Allen Center,” said Adrienne Hartzell-Knudsen, Managing Director of The Allen Center and Newton Cultural Alliance. “We envisioned the Center as a meeting spot for drawing the community together and these pop-ups do just that.”

The pop-ups will be held from 12-3 on Thursdays, beginning June 22, beneath a lofty tent on the Allen Center’s outdoor patio. The schedule for each week, including lunch menus and ordering instructions, is posted on https://www.allovernewton.com/allencenterpopups. Lunch-goers are asked to order their meals in advance, helping restaurants gauge demand. Pop-ups will be held rain or shine and moved indoors during inclement weather. The Allen Center is located at 35 Webster Street in West Newton. Parking is available in the lot at the corner of Webster and Cherry Streets. Questions? Email Lauren Berman lauren@allovernewton.com