Brownstone, a beloved Boston restaurant, has closed after nearly 15 years in business. The establishment cited a slowdown in the restaurant business and ongoing financial pressure as the reason for its closure. In a social media post, the restaurant thanked the community for its support over the years.
Brownstone Bids Farewell to Back Bay Community
Brownstone, a neighborhood gastropub and local favorite on Dartmouth Street in Boston’s Back Bay, has closed after nearly 15 years.
The restaurant was well-known for its casual yet elegant atmosphere and offered classic American pub and bistro fare. The restaurant operated out of a historic brownstone building with large street-facing windows. The menu featured items such as truffle fries, a chicken-and-bacon wrap, and breakfast staples like Crunchy French Toast with bacon and avocado toast.
The restaurant team announced the news of closure through an Instagram post, and shared, “With heavy hearts and a full glass, we close the final chapter of one of the best little restaurants in the Back Bay.”
In the post, the team expressed gratitude to staff, longtime customers, and the surrounding community. “To the regulars, who have become lifelong friends, to our restaurant brethren in the neighborhood for paying it forward (we always tried to reciprocate), to everyone patient with us…Thank you and Cheers!” said Kelly Snogles, Chief Cook and Bottle Washer, Brownstone.
The announcement prompted an outpouring of reactions from longtime patrons on social media.
Business Struggles Prompt Restaurant Closure
The restaurant team explained in the post, “The restaurant business is fickle. It’s difficult every day. Most restaurants struggle to stay pointed downstream even in bright economic climates, and many fail despite genuine commitment to craft and hospitality.”
Snogles added that Brownstone remained successful over the years by keeping its approach simple.
“No Frills. Good food, good drinks, and great hospitality. This was our standard, and by striving to achieve just that every day. Brownstone was fortunate enough to defy the typical lifecycle of a very good restaurant many times over. Decades at Dartmouth, dishing it up. But the old girl is tired. It’s time.”
Brownstone’s closure adds to a growing list of restaurant shutdowns across Boston in recent years. It marks the end of a long-standing legacy of good food and community connections.
