Restaurant News

Shop online or from a safe social distance to stock up on food and sundriesand support these small businesses in need.

Photo courtesy of Daves Fresh Pasta

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, anxious shoppers are depleting the shelves of major grocery stores all over the countrythough supply chain experts say these shortages are not the new normal (not yet, at least). Thats reassuring, but in the meantime, you can still avoid stressful supermarket scenesand support economically vulnerable local business ownersby spending your money at small markets instead of big-box retailers. Like the restaurants that are offering takeout and delivery, these stores are adhering to best practices when it comes to safety, like supplying sanitizer to shoppers and enforcing social distancing capacities. Many have bolstered their online ordering and delivery systems, as well. From Watertown to West Roxbury, check out these 12 local shops for everything from fresh produce, to fancy cheeses, meats, snacksand yes, toilet paper too.

Located in Coolidge Corner, owner Talia Glasss caf and specialty shop remains open daily with caf drinks to orderand any tips received are going into a fund for laid-off staff. If youre comfortable shopping at a safe social distance, youll find shelves full of artisan snacks, cheeses, olive oils, beans, condiments, tinned fish, and more. Call-ahead phone orders and curbside pickup is also available, as well as gift cards, online ordering, and free delivery. The staff has packed up convenient and fun packages like a cheese basket, paella kit, and cocktail necessities, too. Current hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

1330 Beacon St., Suite 105, Brookline, 617-278-1486, alliummarket.com.

Both the Southie and Ashmont locations of Andy Fadous and Matthew Thayers neighborhood grocer, bottle shop, and deli remain open, though exact hours are updated daily on social media and the number of in-store shoppers is being limited. Curated gift boxeslike a $150 survival case of different winesare available to order online, along with gift cards; deli sandwiches, meanwhile, are available via Postmates. In store, along with the usual selection of top-shelf wines and cheeses, and local pantry staples and perishables, the kitchens at both locations are making additional prepared food options like grilled vegetables, whole roasted chicken, meatballs, grain salads, and more. Call ahead to either location for curbside pickup.

613 East Broadway, South Boston, 617-269-6100; 1971 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, 617-514-4599, americanprovisions.com.

The Haymarket-areas local food hall is closed to the public through April 5, so that the non-profit Boston Public Market Association can focus on amping up online sales and delivery options. So far, the online selections include Stillmans and Siena Farm produce, Chestnut Farms meats and eggs, Boston Smoked Fish and Reds Best seafood, and much more. Additionally, in the coming days the BPM will share details about several vendors setting up shop on the markets outdoor plaza, beginning the week of March 23.

100 Hanover St., Boston, 617-973-4909, bostonpublicmarket.org.

David Warner has been serving the Jamaica Plain community with his organic-oriented grocery store since the late 90s. Its main Centre Street store remains stocked with organic produce, local eggs and dairy, coffee by the pound, frozen local products like Jaju Pierogi, and pantry items. Its open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. (Note: Deli service, as well as the smaller City Feed market on Boylston Street JP, are closed for now.)

672 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, 617-553-4822, cityfeedandsupply.com.

This 21st century cheese shop, physically located in Brookline Village, has always offered online resources for cheese lovers, such as the Curdlist app that proprietors Jenn and Matt Mason created for customers to keep track of their favorite fromages. But in these uncertain times, theyve also expanded their online ordering platform. Choose among provisions like fresh pastas, canned beans, sauces, and more (along with cheeses and proper pairings) for curbside pickup, and stay tuned for direct delivery coming soon. Meanwhile, Curds & Co. also delivers via third-party apps Caviar and Mercato.

288 Washington St., Brookline, 617-879-0565, curdsandco.com.

Photo courtesy of Daves Fresh Pasta

Fill your freezer with pints of sauces, fresh and frozen pastas, and more house-made prepared foods, of which owner Dave Jick and team are ramping up production to keep serving the community. Plus, the coolers and shelves remain stocked with fresh produce, eggs, cheese, ice cream, breads, beer, and more. Call ahead with your order for curbside pickup and even free local delivery for orders of $30 and up. The Davis Square shop is open daily from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

81 Holland St., Davis Square, Somerville, 617-623-0867, davesfreshpasta.com.

Now with three locations in Cambridge and Boston, Valerie and Ihsan Gurdal have offered a robust selection of cheese and charcuterie, produce, wine and beer, and specialty foods for more than 40 years. All three shops remain open with strict social distancing policies, and theyre also accepting call-ahead orders for curbside pickup. Formaggio ships around the country, and is currently offering local delivery within a 2-mile radius of its flagship Huron Village store. Hours right now are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays).

244 Huron Ave., Cambridge, 617-354-4750; 94 Hampshire St., Cambridge, 617-714-5758; 268 Shawmut Ave., South End, Boston, 617-350-6996, formaggiokitchen.com.

This West Roxbury grocer has been a go-to for Mediterranean specialty products since 2009. In light of the current public health crisis, though, owner Katerina Iliades is expanding her inventory to include more everyday staples like fresh produce, breads, dairy and juices, and cleaning supplies. Rest assured, youll still find a large selection of imported oils, grains, and beans, plus frozen spinach pies, marinated meats and sausages. An online shop will ship nonperishables to your door, and prepared foods are also available via DoorDash.

5204 Washington St., West Roxbury, 617-553-8038, madfeta.com.

Union Square gathering place Bow Market has largely closed amid the public health crisis, but several of the independent food businesses located there are open for online orders, takeout, and delivery. Plus: The on-site local grocery and CBD shop, In Season, is open daily from noon-4 p.m. with local vegetables, eggs, drinks, provisions like honey and hot sauce, and more. Stay tuned for touch-free pop-ups by local farmers, too. If youre inclined to stay home, check out In Season owner Bobby McLeans online shop, which also features gift cards for future groceries.

1 Bow Market Way #3 (between Rebel Rebel Wine Bar and Remnant Brewery), Somerville, 617-764-3387, inseasonfoodshop.com.

With a unique business model focused on affordable produce, this small grocer is a respite from the chaotic aisles at big-box stores. There are also grains, beans, and more in bulk, but owner Matt Gray kindly asks shoppers to leave their reusable containers at home right now. Besides edible staples, the Winter Hill shop is also fully stocked with necessities like toilet paper and hand soap. Its open every day but Tuesday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

415 Medford St., Somerville, 617-702-2811, nbrhoodproduce.com.

For decades, Tony Russos Watertown market has been a go-to shop for fresh fruits, vegetables, bakery items, cheese and meats, flowers and garden items, and more. It remains open, and also offers delivery via Mercato. The staff is also now curating special Russo Boxes for curbside pickup. Finally, Russos has added an extra hour and a half of service each morning from 6-7:30 a.m., a specifically delineated period for senior citizens to get their shopping done.

560 Pleasant St., 617-923-1500, russos.com.

Its not just prime cuts of beef, pork, poultry, sausages, and more locally raised meats that are available at Ron Savenors 80-year-old staple. Both the Cambridge and Boston locations remain open and stocked with tons of produce, provisions like house-made stock, and even toilet paper and coffee filters. Savenors also offers local delivery via Mercato.

92 Kirkland St., Cambridge, 617-576-6328; 160 Charles St., Beacon Hill, Boston, 617-723-6328, savenorsmarket.com.

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Shop Online or at These Locally Owned Grocery Stores around Boston - bostonmagazine.com