Another Independent Venue Down: ONCE Somerville Will Not Re-open
SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 21: A shopper stands in the "on deck" circle at the Safe Supply outdoor grocery store at Bow Market on March 21, 2020 in Somerville, Massachusetts. In order to comply with the city of Somerville's food safety protocol and social distancing recommendations, patrons registered to shop in advance, stood six feet apart at all times, and vendors handled and bagged all food. COVID-19 has brought instability to the food service industry, forcing local farms and businesses to find new ways to sell directly to their community. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
This news got lost in the Thanksgiving shuffle: ONCE Somerville and the adjacent Cuisine En Locale will remain closed post-pandemic.
Vanyaland had the story on the day before Thanksgiving. “Cuisine En Locale is going out of business, and the space we call the ONCE Lounge and Ballroom will not re-open,” stated ONCE founder JJ Gonson. So we can add ONCE to the ever-growing list of Boston-area venues like Great Scott that have been forced to close due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that will stay shuttered.
But like Great Scott, ONCE is attempting to stay alive. They’ll continue to exist as a virtual venue as the pandemic plays out, and will hopefully find a new physical space when the time comes. Click here for for a few ways you can support ONCE. It’s almost Giving Tuesday, after all.
Adam 12 is the Program Director of Boston's ROCK 92.9, heard weekdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. He's been flexing his encyclopedic rock knowledge in New England for over 2 decades, both on-air and online, at WBCN, WFNX, Boston.com, and indie617. At ROCK 92.9, he keeps you in the know on the big stories from the Boston music scene and writes about great places to eat, drink (beer), and to spend time outdoors in and around Boston.
