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Are Greater Boston restaurants closed during the ‘National Shutdown’ Friday?
See what Greater Boston restaurants had to say amid the call to shut down businesses in protest of ICE.
Few Greater Boston restaurants said they would close Friday for a “National Shutdown,” a day of protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics.
Social media posts from restaurants began pouring in Wednesday, as news of the demonstration spread, asking for people to not work, attend school, or spend money in order to put pressure on the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in U.S. cities.
This call-to-action and more planned demonstrations come as the nation reels from the deadly shooting of Alex Pretti, the second person to be killed by ICE agents while protesting in Minnesota.
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Owners and staff of multiple restaurants took to Instagram to share that they just couldn’t afford to close on a Friday — typically one of the busiest days in the week for restaurants — especially after a major snow storm early this week slowed business.
In lieu of closing, a few restaurant teams said they would donate a portion of sales made today to local immigration organizations and nonprofits.
Below is a list of restaurants and their statements amid the National Shutdown.
American Flatbread Brighton: Open
“This Friday, we’re keeping the focus on community. We know there is a lot on everyone’s minds right now, and we want to provide a space where you can just be.
To help everyone connect and support one another, we’re offering Free Bowling all day this Friday, Jan. 30. No catch, no spend required — just a place for neighbors to be neighbors.”
Bar Volpe and Fox & The Knife: Open
“Today we stand in solidarity with those participating in the nationwide shutdown, and with our immigrant communities whose labor, culture, and lives are essential to everything we are.
Fox & The Knife and Bar Volpe will remain open today, but we want to be clear, we see you, we support you, and we are with you. We do not support or condone [ICE].
Hospitality has always been built by immigrants in our kitchens, in our dining rooms, and in our neighborhoods. Our restaurants would not exist without the people and communities who make this industry what it is.
Today, we will be donating a portion of proceeds to support immigrant families and immigrant justice through [LUCE Defense Hotline].
We stand with our teams. We stand with our neighbors. We stand with immigrants.”
Buenas: Open
“We are proudly open for business tomorrow. Because the best way to fight [ICE] (you know the one) is with [fire] (in my world that’s HOT WARM GOOEY empanadas).
We stand in solidarity with immigrants (we exist, literally, because of them) and are so grateful for our customers’ continued support as the world descends deeper and deeper into circles of hell I didn’t think existed. We simply cannot afford shutting down tomorrow or a day of no spending — very purposely I’ve accepted my role in this as someone providing needed food, supplies, and energy to keep this fight going.
We are also still donating one frozen pack for each four sold to the Somerville Community Fridge. So far this month I’m at 18 donated packs! Please consider taking money you’d have spent at large corporations and putting it into small, local business tomorrow (and always).”
Cambridge Street Hospitality Group (Puritan and Company, Puritan Oyster Bar, The Lexington, Geppetto, Cafe Beatrice, The Herb Lyceum at Gilson’s, Amba, and First Street Market): Open
“Like many of our neighboring businesses, we want to acknowledge the nationwide shutdown on Friday, January 30th. We believe in fighting for change and are in full support with our community.
With the weather taking days away from us in an already slow season, we will be open for regular service here. We are committed to our team members and making sure they are able to sustain in an already slow season. We welcome you in to gather with your community and support a small business on your way to the protest.”
Dani’s Queer Bar: Open
“As many of you know, we stand with our community, always. We’re a queer-owned-and-operated business, and we’re also an immigrant-owned business. Dani’s is pretty unique in Boston in that way, which is why we condemn the actions of ICE and this administration with the utmost severity, anger, and heartbreak.
We’ve made the difficult decision to remain open today, but share full solidarity with those showing resistance. Unfortunately, we can’t afford to close as a small business. We hope that Dani’s can be a place all can feel welcome and safe at a time when our government is doing everything it can to make us feel otherwise.”
Forge Baking Co.: Open
“We support the reasons behind the general strike and the communities most impacted by the systems being challenged.
While we won’t be closing today, this choice comes from the real constraints of running a small business, especially during the slow winter season, not from a lack of alignment. If you plan to spend money today, we encourage you to use cash, donate to organizations supporting those in need, and support local businesses. As always, we will be raising money for Community Cooks, which helps feed vulnerable populations year-round.
We stand with workers, immigrants, organizers, and our community. If you’re able, join the rally at Copley Square at 3 p.m. today.”
Gracenote Coffee: Closed
“A lot is at stake right now. Speak up. Protect your neighbors. Stay safe. See you Saturday.”
Lone Star Taco Bar: Open
“Today many are observing a no-spend general strike. Our doors in Allston + Cambridge will remain open for regular service in support of our staff and to offer a place for our community to gather. If you’re spending money today, please shop small, in your neighborhood, keeping dollars local.”
Mimi’s Chuka Diner: Open
“We stand with Minneapolis. We stand with the immigrant community. Unfortunately we cannot escape the realities of being a small, self-funded restaurant in its first year of operation. We will be open regular hours Friday, Jan. 30. In solidarity, we will be donating 20 meals to the Somerville Community Fridge, plus-1 for every $50 in cash we receive through the weekend.
We encourage everyone to show up for the movement however they can. Shop small/local, pay in cash, donate to strike funds/immigrant resource/mutual aid networks, come out and support independent businesses on Saturday and Sunday, contact your reps. Thank you to everyone standing up and doing good for the community. Stay safe.”
The Mushroom Shop: Closed
“We will be closed Friday, Jan 30 to participate in the General Strike.
As a small and local business in Somerville, our participation is our way to show our support to our immigrant community who live and work and make our communities vibrant and strong. We are also out here to show our support to anyone working to make a difference or to anyone looking to find others who care.
Please reach out if you have thoughts/questions/concerns/want to say hi etc etc! We are here and looking to help if and when we can.
Working in many industries that rely on immigrant labor, it’s hard to imagine that our country has made such a callus attack on the people that make our communities tick and thrive.
My hope as a business is that we can connect within our own little community and find ways to meet and talk through the new year.
I (Tyler/owner) don’t speak on it online often, but if you know me personally [you’re] likely aware that I’m 1/2 Japanese, being a child of an immigrant as well. I have so much appreciation for this side of my life, and am proud to be so.
All those things said, we love all our neighbors and want to celebrate the things that make us unique, strong individuals.”
Nibble Kitchen: Open
“Nibble Kitchen was created in partnership with an amazing community of immigrant entrepreneurs and exists as a platform for cultural representation, sustainable and equitable economic development, and as a safe space for all members of our community to explore and celebrate cultural diversity through food.
We feel that the best way Nibble Kitchen can support the immigrant community and our chef-partners is to ensure they have a platform to share their stories and cultures, build meaningful relationships, and become economic leaders in their communities.
If you choose to dine out [Friday], we encourage you to support small, locally-owned businesses whose foods, cultures, and stories add immense value to our communities. And pay with cash.”
Nine Winters Bakery: Closed
“We’re closed on Friday, 1/30, in support of our neighbors and global community.”
Nightshade Noodle Bar: Open
“Tomorrow there’s a nationwide call for a no-spending day, a National Shutdown, in protest of ICE and the systems that fund it.
Participation matters. And you still have to eat. It’s important that we aim our dollars away from big corporations, not away from your neighborhood businesses. Amazon and national chains can absorb a many lost days of sales while small restaurants and local food businesses cannot, and the pressure is meant to go upward, not land on us small places with everything else.
A lot of us already lost sales to weather on Sunday, and another hit is genuinely scary. We’re trying to meet this moment with more value, more care, more intimacy, because things feel more brutal by the day, and we want you to forget it all while you’re with us.
So if you’re eating tomorrow: skip the big boxes and choose a local spot or local market instead. Supporting small, community businesses keeps money circulating right here where it’s most urgently needed.
Feed your neighbors while you feed yourself.”
Oak Bistro: Open
“As a small, neighborhood restaurant, we won’t be closing. With the state of the economy, the recent storm, and how fragile small businesses already are, closing simply isn’t something we can afford right now.
Many small restaurants are still trying to recover, and for us, staying open is about continuing to support our team and community, not indifference.
That said, participation does matter. And so does intention. We strongly believe that if you are spending, it should be intentional spending away from large corporations and toward local, community rooted businesses. Small restaurants, neighborhood shops, and local food businesses are where your dollars circulate back into the community, support workers directly, and help keep real people afloat.
We still have to eat. We still have to take care of one another. And we can do that while being mindful, aligned, and compassionate.
We are a small, family run restaurant built by people who come from immigrant roots and who love this neighborhood deeply. Watching what many families and communities are going through right now has been devastating. Fear, uncertainty, and loss are very real, and they do not disappear just because you are doing everything right.
We believe in taking care of one another, in keeping our community strong, and in supporting the local businesses and workers who make this neighborhood what it is.
We are choosing to stay open because nourishment, stability, and community connection matter. There are many ways to show care. Today, ours is keeping our doors open & and keeping our neighborhood connected.
Thank you for supporting small businesses, local workers, and community care, today and always.”
Ritcey East: Open
“As many of you already know, we stand with our community, always.
The way we know how to support us all right now is by doing what we do best: Opening up and offering a place that feels like home.
We are also featuring a ‘No ICE Needed’ cocktail where 100% of the proceeds will be donated to LUCE Defense Hotline.
If you are joining us today, think of using cash! It is an ‘F-U’ to the system. It cuts out the corporations. Keeps it local. Keeps it human.
Right now, the world doesn’t feel especially safe. So we’re choosing to be a place to gather. A place rooted in care, visibility, and safety when safety feels scarce.
Show up. Be together. Take care of each other. That’s how we move forward.”
Rite Tea & Espresso Bar: Closed
“Rite will be closed Friday, Jan. 30 in solidarity with [Somali Student Association in Minneapolis] call for a general strike.”
State Park Bar: Open
“In support of the dignity of immigrants and out of respect for the businesses participating in Friday’s economic freeze, all profits from our mighty frozie machine this Friday, Jan 30th, will be donated to [La Colaborativa].”
Viet Citron: Open
“As a first generation immigrant, I’m thankful for the opportunities that this country has given me but my heart breaks seeing how immigrants are being treated lately. Fear and hate divide us.
Without the first generation of Vietnamese boat people relatives, my family wouldn’t be able to come here. Many Vietnamese crossed the ocean illegally to Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and the Phillipines in the 70s and 80s. etc. Without the kindness of the US, Canada, and other countries around the world granting our community the first wave of asylum, that piece of paper, we wouldn’t be here in the first place. So if you are lucky to have that piece of paper or born here, show some compassions to those who are less fortunate.
We stand with the community to speak up and let your voice be heard peacefully. If you are out there fighting for the cause in different ways, come get a hot tea or a hot cup of broth to thaw out. Let’s melt the ICE. Thank you for being out there today.”
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