Bella Luna Restaurant and Milky Way Lounge Closing Permanently

The impacts of the Coronavirus continue to be felt, as the popular Bella Luna Restaurant and Milky Way Lounge announced its permanent closure on Wednesday. In a June 17th Facebook post, the business owners outlined that not only the loss of money in the last several months deep sixed them, but also because social distancing goes against their business model. "The mission of our business is to gather people together in groups, to foster social closeness --the opposite of social distancing. Gathering in groups is not going to be a safe activity until there is a widely-available vaccine or treatment. We are not comfortable putting our team members and guests at risk of contracting the virus while working and dining in our space.

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120 Women-Owned Small Businesses Celebrated at Bella Luna

Boston City Councilor At-Large Annissa Essaibi-George recently welcomed 120 women small business owners to Bella Luna Restaurant and Milky Way Lounge for an evening of networking and celebrating Boston's many thriving women-owned businesses. Bella Luna, a women-owned business, is also celebrating 26 years of being in business. The event, held on May 31, was co-sponsored by the Mayor’s Office of Woman’s Advancement and Women Entrepreneurs Boston (WeBos). “As a small business owner, I think it is so important for us women to get together, talk and collaborate," said Essaibi-George. "When I talk with other women who own small businesses, even if we’re not in the same business, the conversations about what’s working and not working for us are really, really important.

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Some Chicks Marry Chicks. Get Over It.

Kate Anderson at Bella Luna/The Milky Way on Friday, June 26, 2015. Friday the neighborhood celebrated the Supreme Court decision making marriage equality the law of the land in all 50 states. Among those making merry was Kate Anderson, seen here at Bella Luna/The Milky Way with her "Some Chicks Marry Chicks. Get Over It," t-shirt. Each weekday we post a “Photo of the Day” from around the neighborhood.

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Explore Prohibition-Era Boston at Sam Adams Brewery

Good morning, neighbors. Here's your Morning Memo for Monday, Nov. 10. Boston Wet/Boston Dry: The JP Historical Society is sponsoring a talk Wednesday by Stephanie Schorow, author of "Drinking Boston" about the city when booze was illegal. Of course, the talk is hosted by the Sam Adams Brewery, which brewed "near beer" and soda during Prohibition.

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Party with JP Porchfest at the Milky Way with Damn Tall Buildings!

Dreary days got you down? Come party at Bella Luna/Milky Way Restaurant to celebrate JP Porchfest with Damn Tall Buildings, a band that made waves at Porchfest 2014! Last summer, over 7,000 people attended JP Porchfest, and it was a huge success. In 2015, we want to do it all over again, with more musicians, more porches, and some exciting additions. But we need your help.

Participating stores along Centre/Street offer trick or treat from 3-6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31, 2014.

Trick or Treat at Centre/South Businesses

Hello neighbors. Here's your Morning Memo for all things JP for Monday, Oct. 27. Trick or Treat at Centre/South Businesses: As it does each year, the JP Business & Professional Assoc. sponsors Trick or Treat by participating businesses all along the Centre/South corridor.

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Coyote Relaxes on Arborway Porch

#74113251 / gettyimages.com

Hello neighbors. Here's your Morning Memo for Monday, Sept. 22. Coyote Sightings: Of course you already know JP is home to coyotes. But on Friday, a resident reported one lounging on an Arborway porch, according to Universal Hub.

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Scenes from Chowderfest at Bella Luna/Milky Way on Sept. 17, 2014.

Chowderfest!

Jamaica Plain food writer Rachel Lebeaux reports from Chowderfest, held Wednesday at Bella Luna/The Milky Way. There were four types of chowder:

A creamy New England clam chowder

A smoky Manhattan chowder

A coconut-spiked corn chowder

A sumptuous potato and sausage chowder

In addition to the chowder, this last Bella Luna patio event of the season included local breweries, among them:

@JacksAbby
@harpoon_brewery
@DowneastCider
@Slumbrew

Lebeaux counts Bella Luna among the best patio dining options in Boston. She's also got the scoop on the best clam chowder in the city as a whole. Above is a gallery of shots from Chowderfest. [selfie]

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Detail from a flyer promoting the Peace & Unity Rally on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014.

Peace and Unity Rally Slated for Saturday

Good morning, neighbors! Here's your Morning Memo for Monday, Aug. 11. Peace Rally: It's only Monday, but I wanted to put it on your radar that on Saturday there will be a Peace & Unity Rally in Hyde and Jackson squares. As you know, there have been three shootings in the area of Stony Brook T this summer.

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