Fair 65°
Business
Lead Found In Lunchables: Consumer Reports Urges USDA To Remove Product From School Programs Lead Found In Lunchables: Consumer Reports Urges USDA To Remove Product From School Programs
Lead Found In Lunchables: Consumer Reports Urges USDA To Remove Product From School Programs Tests performed by the nonprofit Consumer Reports allegedly found high levels of lead and phthalates in the popular snack boxes by Lunchables, leading the organization to call on the government to remove the lunches from the National School Lunch Program. Consumer Reports (CR) issued the call to the US Department of Agriculture to remove Lunchable meals from the national program following a report released on Tuesday, April 9. As part of the report, the organization tested store-bought Lunchable food kits and compared the nutritional profiles of these meals to the two school-only Lunchab…

SHARE

by Sophie Grieser
Business
Rite Aid Announces Massachusetts Store Closure After Declaring Bankruptcy Rite Aid Announces Massachusetts Store Closure After Declaring Bankruptcy
Rite Aid Announces Massachusetts Store Closure After Declaring Bankruptcy Rite Aid has announced new store closures after the struggling pharmacy chain filed for bankruptcy in the fourth quarter of 2023. Shortly after declaring bankruptcy, Rite Aid announced 154 store closures. In a filing on Tuesday, April 9, the company said 17 more stores, including one in Massachusetts, in Fall River, at 10 Stafford Road, Rite Aid currently has 2,000 stores and about 44,000 employees. Rite Aid is one of a number of drugstore chains facing litigation related to the deadly abuse of opioids and more than a thousand lawsuits have been filed claiming Rite Aid illegally…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
'An Incredible Run': Mass Restaurant Closing After Nearly 50 Years 'An Incredible Run': Mass Restaurant Closing After Nearly 50 Years
'An Incredible Run': Mass Restaurant Closing After Nearly 50 Years A popular restaurant in Western Massachusetts will hold its final dinner service after nearly 50 years in business. Berkshire County staple The Old Mill, located in Egremont at 53 Main Street, will permanently close in early June 2024, owner Terry Moore announced on its website. “In early June, after 46 glorious years, the Old Mill will close its doors. We have had an incredible run and I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the extremely dedicated staff that has worked alongside me all these years,” he said. Moore went on to thank the “countless wonderful guests” who have supported the restau…

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
Business
'New Era At Panera' Sees Dozens Of Items Chopped From Menu 'New Era At Panera' Sees Dozens Of Items Chopped From Menu
'New Era At Panera' Sees Dozens Of Items Chopped From Menu Did your favorite make the cut? Dozens of menu items have gotten the chop as Panera enters its “new era” complete with the largest menu overhaul in company history. The popular bakery-café chain officially launched its revamped menu at locations across the country on Thursday, April 4, with nine new offerings and 12 “enhanced” classics featuring more chicken and steak. Company officials said the move is aimed at “refocusing” on core Panera products that customers love the most: soups, salads, sandwiches, and macaroni and cheese. It will also streamline and simplify operations for employees…

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
Business
Procter & Gamble Recalls Laundry Detergent Packets Due To Serious Injury Risk Procter & Gamble Recalls Laundry Detergent Packets Due To Serious Injury Risk
Procter & Gamble Recalls Laundry Detergent Packets Due To Serious Injury Risk Procter & Gamble is recalling some of its laundry detergent brands due to the risk of serious injury. The voluntary recall, announced on Friday, April 5, involves certain lot codes of Tide Pods, Gain Flings, Ace Pods, and Ariel Pods liquid packets packaged in flexible film bags manufactured between September 2023 and February 2024.  Recalled products range from bags with 12 to 39 packets and were sold at Big Lots, CVS, Family Dollar, Home Depot, Sam’s Club, Target, Walmart, and other major stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com and other websites from September 2023 up until th…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
Popular Discount Bakery Chain Shutters All Mass Stores Popular Discount Bakery Chain Shutters All Mass Stores
Popular Discount Bakery Chain Shutters All Mass Stores It’s the end of an era for bakery bargain shoppers as longtime staple Freihofer’s Bakery Outlet has permanently closed. The discount bakery chain has shuttered dozens of stores across the Northeast, including all of its New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts locations. “After careful analysis and consideration, we made the difficult decision to permanently close 28 of our outlet stores…” a representative for Bimbo Bakeries, Freihofer's parent company, told Daily Voice. Any leftover products were expected to be donated to local food banks. “We appreciate all of our associates who worked …

SHARE

by Michael Mashburn
Business
Whole Foods To Open New, Small-Format Stores: Look Inside Whole Foods To Open New, Small-Format Stores: Look Inside
Whole Foods To Open New, Small-Format Stores: Look Inside Whole Foods says it will be launching new small-format stores aimed at providing customers with a quick, convenient shopping experience. The company says the stores, targeting urban areas, will provide "easier access to the fresh, high-quality offerings." The new stores will be called Whole Foods Market Daily Shop. The first location to open will be in the Upper East Side in Manhattan with additional locations in New York City to follow.  The first store, located at 1175 Third Ave., is expected to open later this year.  Following the New York City launch, Whole Foods Market pla…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
McDonald's, Krispy Kreme Announce Nationwide Partnership: Here's How, When It Will Work McDonald's, Krispy Kreme Announce Nationwide Partnership: Here's How, When It Will Work
McDonald's, Krispy Kreme Announce Nationwide Partnership: Here's How, When It Will Work It could be the sweetest of partnerships. McDonald's and Krispy Kreme are teaming up for a national expansion. Customers will begin spotting Krispy Kreme doughnuts in their local McDonald's restaurants later this year as part of a phased market rollout across the US.  Nationwide availability at participating restaurants is expected by the end of 2026, McDonald's announced on Tuesday, March 26. Three of Krispy Kreme’s most popular doughnuts will be delivered fresh to McDonald’s restaurants daily. They’ll be available individually, or in boxes of six, starting at breakfast and las…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
Asian Restaurant Closes 3 Locations In Somerville, Boston, Woburn: Report Asian Restaurant Closes 3 Locations In Somerville, Boston, Woburn: Report
Asian Restaurant Closes 3 Locations In Somerville, Boston, Woburn: Report Grainmaker, a popular chain of Asian restaurants has closed all of its locations, according to a new report.  Boston Restaurant Talk said they received a tip about the closures in Somerville's Davis Square, Downtown Crossing in Boston, and Woburn Village in Woburn on Monday, March 25.  Calls to the restaurants go unanswered, the social media accounts for each location have been removed, and the websites no longer exist.  Google and Yelp list all of the locations as permanently closed as well. It's unclear what led to the closings, or what day they shuttered.  …

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Business
Shell To Close 1,000 Gas Stations: Here's Why, Company Says Shell To Close 1,000 Gas Stations: Here's Why, Company Says
Shell To Close 1,000 Gas Stations: Here's Why, Company Says One of the nation's major oil companies says it will close 1,000 gas stations. Shell made the announcement in its 2024 Energy Transition Strategy report, saying the measure is “in response to customer needs” and aimed at reallocating those resources towards EV charging stations. Shell said it will close 500 stations in 2024 and the other 500 in 2025. "We believe growth in oil demand is set to slow in the second half of this decade and could start falling in the 2030s because of increasing vehicle efficiency and growth in electric vehicles," the company stated in the report. "Toda…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
Popular Brookline Bakery Returns 3 Years After Fire Popular Brookline Bakery Returns 3 Years After Fire
Popular Brookline Bakery Returns 3 Years After Fire The owners of a South Brookline bakery had something to celebrate this week after they were approved to reopen on Friday, March 15.  Cheryl-Anns' Bakery, at 1010 West Roxbury Pkwy, posted a celebratory Facebook post on Thursday announcing its new hours after the kosher and pareve eatery received its final permit approval. That post was greeted with dozens of comments and likes from happy and hungry customers.  What just happened , you asked ? Cheryl -Ann’s’ got approved to open this Friday morning March 15th !!!…lots of happy... Posted by Cheryl-Anns' Bakery on Wednesday,…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Business
187K Air Fryers, Ovens Sold At Best Buy Nationwide Recalled For Fire, Burn Hazards 187K Air Fryers, Ovens Sold At Best Buy Nationwide Recalled For Fire, Burn Hazards
187K Air Fryers, Ovens Sold At Best Buy Nationwide Recalled For Fire, Burn Hazards Nearly 200,000 more Insignia air fryer and air fryer ovens sold nationwide at Best Buy are being recalled due to potential fire risks and burn hazards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall of approximately 187,400 Insignia products following dozens of complaints of ovens catching fire, burning, or melting. According to CPSC, the recall includes these models of Insignia Air Fryers and Insignia Air Fryer Ovens:  NS-AF34D2; NS-AF5DSS2; NS-AF5MSS2; NS-AF8DBD2; NS-AF10DBK2; NS-AF10DSS2. Product rating label on the underside of the unit showing INSIGNIA…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Business
Dedham Restaurant Closes After 16 Years: 'We Have To Take Care Of Our Health' Dedham Restaurant Closes After 16 Years: 'We Have To Take Care Of Our Health'
Dedham Restaurant Closes After 16 Years: 'We Have To Take Care Of Our Health' A popular Greek restaurant in Dedham shuttered its doors after more than 16 years in business this week.  The owners of Kouzina Estiatorio announced on Facebook on Wednesday, March 13, that they had made the difficult decision to close, but it was to take care of their health and family's well-being.  It is with a heavy heart that we are announcing that Kouzina Estiatorio will be closing our doors for good. We have been blessed to serve our community for the past 16+ years. We have made a lot of great connections, memories and friends along the way through good times and bad.…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Business
Family Dollar, Dollar Tree To Close 1,000 Stores Family Dollar, Dollar Tree To Close 1,000 Stores
Family Dollar, Dollar Tree To Close 1,000 Stores Discount chain Family Dollar and parent company Dollar Tree will close a combined 1,000 stores. Family Dollar will shut down 600 stores in 2024 and 370 stores over the next several years as store leases expire.  Dollar Tree will close 30 locations as leases expire.  The company made the announcement Wednesday morning, March 13. Family Dollar has around 8,000 US locations and Dollar Tree has  The company said it initiated a review of its stores in the fourth quarter of 2023.  It involved "identifying stores for closure, relocation, or re-bannering based on an evaluati…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
'Truly Grateful': Milton Restaurant To Close In Spring 'Truly Grateful': Milton Restaurant To Close In Spring
'Truly Grateful': Milton Restaurant To Close In Spring A Milton restaurant recently announced that it will be closing later this year after it couldn't extend its lease.  Owners of The Plate, at 10 Bassett St., posted on Facebook that "fortune" was not on their side during negotiations to remain at their current location. But they thanked the community for their years of support.  After twelve years of serving Milton and the surrounding communities, first at our original Central Ave location and for the past eight years above the Milton Fruit Center, the plate will be closing. While we hoped to extend our lease, fortune was simpl…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Business
Johnsonville Sausage Products Subject To Recall Due To Possible Presence Of Rubber Johnsonville Sausage Products Subject To Recall Due To Possible Presence Of Rubber
Johnsonville Sausage Products Subject To Recall Due To Possible Presence Of Rubber Popular kielbasa sausage products that were sold nationwide are subject to a massive recall due to concerns of potential contamination - specifically small pieces of rubber. Wisconsin-based Salm Partners announced this week that an estimated 35,430 pounds of Johnsonville turkey kielbasa sausage are subject to the recall, according to the US Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The items subject to the recall were produced between Oct. 30 and Oct. 31 last year and come in 12-ounce vacuum-packed packages that contain a single piece of "Johnsonville POLISH KIE…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Business
Pair Of Leading Restaurant Chains Could Combine, Report Says Pair Of Leading Restaurant Chains Could Combine, Report Says
Pair Of Leading Restaurant Chains Could Combine, Report Says Two of the nation's leading restaurant chains may soon combine, according to a brand-new report. Under the plan, IHOP and Applebee's would share dining space, the Nation's Restaurant News says., Both eateries are owned by California-based Dine Brands. The company has already launched eight prototype combined IHOP/Applebee's locations -- all in international markets outside the US, the report said. The prototypes feature “discrete entrances,” while inside guests can be seated in both spaces when necessary and possible, Dine Brands CEO John Peyton told the outlet. This would allow overflo…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
Watertown Bar Taffer's Tavern Has Closed Watertown Bar Taffer's Tavern Has Closed
Watertown Bar Taffer's Tavern Has Closed The Watertown bar Taffer's Tavern has closed less than 18 months after it opened.  Taffer's Tavern at Arsenal Yards closed its doors for good over the weekend, reports said. Jon Taffer, host of “Bar Rescue” on the Paramount+ Network, franchised the location.  Calls to the 541 Arsenal St. bar go to a voicemail confirming the closure.  Peter Weber and Marc Magerman, Taffer's Tavern Watertown management team, sent a message to Boston Restaurant Talk saying they had "decided to pursue other business endeavors." We would like to thank our amazing team of empl…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Business
Popular Chick-fil-A Sauce Recalled Popular Chick-fil-A Sauce Recalled
Popular Chick-fil-A Sauce Recalled Fast-food chain Chick-fil-A announced it is recalling one of its most popular dipping sauce cups and advising customers to toss them in the trash due to the possible presence of undeclared allergens.  According to a notification posted on the eatery's website, anyone who took home Polynesian Sauce cups between Wednesday, Feb. 14 and Tuesday, Feb. 27 should discard them because they may, in fact, contain a different product that contains wheat and soy. The eatery did not disclose whether there have been any reports of adverse reactions from customers consuming the mixed-up product. Any…

SHARE

by Zak Failla
Business
Poisoning Hazard Leads To Recall Of 102,000 Bottles Of Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash Poisoning Hazard Leads To Recall Of 102,000 Bottles Of Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash
Poisoning Hazard Leads To Recall Of 102,000 Bottles Of Hydrogen Peroxide Mouthwash More than 100,000 bottles of hydrogen peroxide mouthwash are being recalled due to a poisoning hazard. Heritage Store issued the recall for two of its products sold at health food stores and online from October 2010 to December 2023  The recalled mouthwash contains ethanol in a concentration that must be in child-resistant packaging, as required by the Poison Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA), according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The packaging of the products is not child-resistant, posing a risk of poisoning if the contents are swallowed by young children, t…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
'I've Been Blessed': Popular Beverly Hot Dog Restuarant Shuts Down 'I've Been Blessed': Popular Beverly Hot Dog Restuarant Shuts Down
'I've Been Blessed': Popular Beverly Hot Dog Restuarant Shuts Down The Scotty Dog, a beloved Beverly eatery known for its Chicago-style hot dogs, has closed.  Owner Stephen Scott posted on Monday, Feb. 26, in a popular private Facebook group — Northshore Eats — that he'd decided to close up shop after being made an offer he couldn't refuse. He didn't disclose what the offer was.  THANK THANK YOU!!It is with a heavy heart that I'm announcing that I sold The Scotty Dog. It's been a great run and my plans were to continue for at least 4 more years but a group came in and offered me something I couldn't refuse. I have been blessed to have a comm…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Business
Recall Issued For Multiple Eye Ointment Brands Due To Possible Risk Of Infection Recall Issued For Multiple Eye Ointment Brands Due To Possible Risk Of Infection
Recall Issued For Multiple Eye Ointment Brands Due To Possible Risk Of Infection A recall has been issued for multiple brands of eye ointment products due to the "lack of sterility assurance at the facility" of the manufacturer during an inspection conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). "For those patients who use these products, there is a potential risk of eye infections or related harm," the FDA said. "These products are intended to be sterile. Ophthalmic drug products pose a potentially heightened risk of harm to users because drugs applied to the eyes bypass some of the body’s natural defenses."  Brassica Pharma Pvt. Ltd. is voluntarily recalling…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
Macy's To Close 150 Stores, Prioritize Luxury Brands Macy's To Close 150 Stores, Prioritize Luxury Brands
Macy's To Close 150 Stores, Prioritize Luxury Brands Macy's plans to close about 30 percent of its remaining stores over the next three years. The 150 closures will be at underperforming locations, with 50 planned for this year, the retailer announced on Tuesday, Feb. 27, unveiling what it is calling "A Bold New Chapter" strategy designed to return Macy’s profitability.  "It challenges the status quo to create a more modern Macy’s, Inc.," Tony Spring, chief executive officer of the company said in a statement. "We are making the necessary moves to reinvigorate relationships with our customers through improved shopping experiences, releva…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
Mass 'Survivor' Celeb's Whiskey Will Launch Next Month Across State Mass 'Survivor' Celeb's Whiskey Will Launch Next Month Across State
Mass 'Survivor' Celeb's Whiskey Will Launch Next Month Across State Watertown Whiskey, the brainchild of Mikey Bortone of "Survivor" fame, is set to release in Massachusetts on March 1.  Bortone told the Daily Voice that getting his coconut-flavored whiskey into Massachusetts was a milestone he was excited to make.  Related: Watertown Native, 'Survivor' Alum Launches Whiskey Label “It has always been one of our top priorities to have Watertown Whiskey for sale in Watertown,” says Mikey Bortone, CEO and co-founder of Watertown Whiskey, in a news release. “We’re thrilled to start our national expansion in Massachusetts as well as in Rhode Island an…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Business
Restaurant, Taproom In Beverly Has Closed Restaurant, Taproom In Beverly Has Closed
Restaurant, Taproom In Beverly Has Closed The owners of a popular bar and restaurant in Beverly announced that it had closed because of rising rent costs and falling profits.  Related: 'Sad News': Cambridge Restuarant To Close After 4 Years Owners of The Falconer on Cabot Street put out an Instagram post explaining how they were unable to "find a sustainable path forward," and thanked their staff and loyal customers.  To our friends and supporters - this has been a tough day as we regretfully made the decision to close The Falconer. Our team has been working hard over the last few months to find a way to continue, but with a lea…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Business
'Sad News': Cambridge Restuarant To Close After 4 Years 'Sad News': Cambridge Restuarant To Close After 4 Years
'Sad News': Cambridge Restuarant To Close After 4 Years Vincent's in Cambridge has gone from an eclectic grocery store that sold used records and breakfast tacos to a popular restaurant with rave reviews. Now, they're pivoting again.  The restaurant announced on Instagram that it would close its doors on Feb. 29 after nearly four years in business at 233 Cardinal Medeiros Ave.  Sad news! After almost 4 years on the corner here, Vincent’s time is up. We’re locking it up for the last time on February 29th. When we opened up in May of 2020 selling groceries, wine, used records, and breakfast tacos, we didn’t know where we’d end up. I…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Business
Italian Steakhouse In Boston Closing After 16 Years, New Eatery To Take Its Place Italian Steakhouse In Boston Closing After 16 Years, New Eatery To Take Its Place
Italian Steakhouse In Boston Closing After 16 Years, New Eatery To Take Its Place The owners of an Italian steakhouse in Boston's West Roxbury neighborhood say they will close next month after 16 years in business.  In a Facebook post, the owners of Sofia Italian Steakhouse at 1430 VFW Parkway said they had sold the building, and it would be revamped into a new restaurant with a new concept.  Sofia will serve its last dinner on March 2.  After 16 happy and successful years, it is with a heavy heart that we have come to the difficult decision to have our... Posted by Sofia Italian Steakhouse on Monday, February 12, 2024 The owners did not say…

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Business
Nationwide Recall Issued For Meat Products Due To Possible Contamination Nationwide Recall Issued For Meat Products Due To Possible Contamination
Nationwide Recall Issued For Meat Products Due To Possible Contamination A  nationwide recall has been issued for a brand of meat products. Fratelli Beretta USA, Inc., based in Mount Olive, NJ, says the undetermined amount of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat charcuterie products containing Coppa may be under-processed, which may have resulted in possible contamination with foodborne pathogens. The recall was announced by the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The Coppa products have various best-by-dates.  Coppa, a dry-cured capicola, is a boneless pork shoulder product that is dry-cured. Click here to view product…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
Dole Recalls Salads Sold In 25 States, Including MA, Due To Possible Listeria Contamination Dole Recalls Salads Sold In 25 States, Including MA, Due To Possible Listeria Contamination
Dole Recalls Salads Sold In 25 States, Including MA, Due To Possible Listeria Contamination A recall has been issued for several Dole Fresh Vegetables salad kits due to possible Listeria contamination. Dole says the kits were processed on the same line as cheeses produced by Rizo-López Foods, which recalled a line of its dairy products, including cheeses. Related story - Deadly Cheeses Prompt Massive Recall Nationwide: CDC, FDA, USDA "This recall notification is being issued due to the potential for cross-contamination of cheese contained in certain master packs by cheese potentially contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes from our packaged cheese supplier," Dole sai…

SHARE

by Joe Lombardi
Business
'Amazing Journey': Italian Restaurant To Close After 23 Years In Somerville 'Amazing Journey': Italian Restaurant To Close After 23 Years In Somerville
'Amazing Journey': Italian Restaurant To Close After 23 Years In Somerville A popular Italian seafood restaurant in Somerville's Davis Square has announced it will close after 23 years in operation.  The owners of Out of the Blue announced on Facebook that they would shutter the 215 Elm St. eatery.  It is with mixed emotions that we announce the closing of Out of the Blue. After 23 1/2 years it is time to say goodbye. It's been an amazing journey and we loved every minute of it. Our employees became family. Our customers became friends. The square became our neighborhood. We will cherish the memories we made along the way and hope you will too. And as we …

SHARE

by Josh Lanier
Business
Honda Recalling 750K+ Vehicles Nationwide Due To Faulty Air Bag Concerns Honda Recalling 750K+ Vehicles Nationwide Due To Faulty Air Bag Concerns
Honda Recalling 750K+ Vehicles Nationwide Due To Faulty Air Bag Concerns More than three-quarters of a million Honda and Acura vehicles are being recalled due to potentially faulty air bags that could cause them to deploy unexpectedly. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that the motor vehicle giant is recalling upwards of 750,000 cars, SUVs, minivans, and pick-up trucks due to the malfunctioning air bags, which could pose a safety hazard, the agency says. Recalled models include Honda Civic, Accord, CR-V, Fit, HR-V, Insight, Odyssey, Pilot, Passport, Ridgeline vehicles, as well as the Acura MDX, RDX and TLX that were produc…

SHARE

by Zak Failla