[CommonWealth Beacon] Boston Common restaurant closing, city seeks new tenant
Leora Lanz, SHA associate professor, provides valuable insight into the challenges of operating a restaurant in a unique location like Boston Common. She emphasizes the importance of marketing strategies, such as placing signs on surrounding streets and creating a strong sense of place, to establish the restaurant as a destination for both locals and tourists. Lanz notes that these efforts are crucial for any new tenant aiming to succeed where the Earl of Sandwich struggled.
The article discusses the difficulties faced by the Earl of Sandwich, which after 11 years of operation and significant financial losses, decided to end its lease early on Boston Common. Despite its prime location, the small size of the building, lack of indoor seating, and competition from nearby eateries made profitability elusive. The city of Boston is now seeking new proposals for the space, considering changes like permitting beer and wine sales, while remaining mindful of the historic nature of the site.