Tag Archives: South End

Tom Cruise filming Wichita in Boston

Over the weekend notices were plastered through out the neighborhood that filming for Tom Cruise’s movie, Wichita, would be taking place. There has been a lot of filming in Massachusetts and Boston in particular since Gov. Patrick signed a bill last year that gave the industry a bunch of tax breaks. I first wrote about this back in my February post, Lights, Camera, Action.

Over the past year, Ben Affleck, Mel Gibson and Kate Hudson have all been filming on the streets surrounding my apartment. However, usually the filming crews are scattered through out the neighborhood or they just have a small crew on site to film a few scenes. However, that all changed today when I opened my curtains this morning and saw ta temporary trailer park outside my window.

Today, everytime I walked by my window it seemed as if Tom Cruise, or his wife, Katie, and daughter, Suri, were walking around the make-shift film site. I am not a very good photographer so I apologize for the blurry images, but I still thought it was pretty cool to play “paparazzi”.  I’ve included a few photographs of the Cruise family in their makeshift home for the week while they film outside my apartment. (If you click on the pictures they will enlarge.)

It has been really interesting watching everything take place today and I’ve enjoyed snapping my camera.  Here are few shots of them at the GasLight.  Apparently they are trying to make it quite bright in the restaurant, while they film there scenes.  I wish I was more of a movie buff so I could remember when this comes out to go see how they transformed GasLight Brasserie. If I get a chance tomorrow, I’ll snap a few more photos.
 

Open Studios this weekend in the South End

This weekend was Open Studios. This event happens twice a year (once in May and September) and draws more than 250 local artists (many of whom live here in the South End).  Thanks in part to the gorgeous weather, it appears as if the artists may have profited handsomely.  The streets in the South End and specifically SoWa had heavy foot traffic all day long on Saturday and Sunday, and I saw many people carring objects d’art with them as they were leaving the neighborhood.

Many of the artists who show during the Open Studios live in the South End and welcome you into their studios (which sometimes double as their homes).  While I have a few personal favorites, I’m always impressed by the number of participating artists who make their living from their craft and the variety of mediums artists use to express their creativity. 

If you did not get a chance to come into town to walk the streets, talk to the artists and enjoy the beautiful weather, I’m sorry for you because it really was a wonderful way to spend time. I wish I’d thought to write about this event earlier in the week and had the forethought to bring my camera when I walked around the neighborhood earlier today. 

View of SoWa Open Market and Antique Market during Open Studios

Bye bye banQ — hello Ginger Park

photograph by: John Horner
The blog, Boston Restaurant Talk posted a write up from The Boston Globe mentioning that banQ, an upscale Asian-influenced restaurant on Washington Street in the South End, is going to be renamed, Ginger Park.
The Globe’s article mentions that Ginger Park will be a reasonably-priced restaurant featuring Asian food (with an emphasis on Chinese cuisine).  I wonder what “reasonably-priced” means?

Flashback Friday: All the Rage

This was the first gay-themed movie that I ever saw which was filmed in and written about gay life in Boston. All the Rage is about a pretentious South End gay man obsessed with the pursuit of physical, sexual, and romantic perfection. Sound like someone you might know? The stereotype works even if the movie sometimes let you down.

As is the case with many gay-themed films, the movie is a bit cliché and the writing and acting at times made me wince, but it was an entertaining enough and worth the rental. The entire movie was filmed in Boston during the mid- to late-90s.


Official movie trailer

Motley has a new website


In the past I’ve written about Motley, which is a cool shop located in Boston’s South End. Over the weekend Seth, a long-time employee, informed me that the new store owners (Jason and Joseph) had recently updated the store’s website and had added store merchandise. A quick visit has confirmed this so I thought I would give Motley Boston a shout out. Beware that not everything appears to be on the site just yet, but this is a definite improvement. The website proudly proclaims Motley is “Boston’s best little store” and I have to agree. Now go and buy something from them to support local and independent merchants otherwise we’ll be likely to have another bank or real estate office open on Tremont Street, and I’ll have to scream with frustration.

Flashback Friday: Elevated Orange Line

The South End is currently serviced by the Silver Line but for long-time residents and those who called the South End there home up through the 1980s they will recall this line which stopped running in 1987. The image above is courtesy of the blog, AloneOne. In the image above you can see the cathedral on Washington Street in the background. Much has changed in the nearly 20 years since the elevated Orange Line stopped running and the Silver Line was created to serve this neighborhood. The image to the left (click it to enlarge)offers a glimpse of what Washington Street in the South End looks like now and includes a picture of the Silver Line bus service which residents now rely on to get to and from downtown.

However, if you are nostalgic about the old Orange Line check out Alone One’s tribute on his blog by linking here. He even has a five or six minute video you can watch and listen to.

Coppa – new South End restaurant

Back in April I mentioned buzz about the fate of the space occupied by a restaurant that had recently closed in my entry, South End rumor new owners have bought space formerly known as Dish.

On Friday, June 12 – Boston Restaurant Talk – wrote that Chef Ken Oringer, probably best known for his signature BackBay restaurant, Clio, will open his 6th restaurant in the city and his 2nd in the South End in the space once occupied by The Dish. According to the Boston Restaurant Blog, the restaurant will be called Coppa and is expected to open in August. The restaurant will feature a wine bar and serve small dishes that feature locally grown ingredients.

The Dish was a casual and friendly restaurant with a patio that seated more than the restaurant could hold inside. I hope Ken can take this tiny footprint of a restaurant and turn it into a viable business that stays connected to the neighborhood. He’s shown he knows how to do this. After all his first restaurant in the South End, Toro, is only a bit larger than Coppa.

Wallpaper Magazine honors banQ

The other night Wallpaper magazine hosted a party at banQ, to celebrate the South End eatery’s designation as “Best New Restaurant in the World.” While I’m a fan of the restaurant and love the location just one block from my house, I’m not sure I would classify the place as the best in the world – after all I have not eaten everywhere in the world (yet). However, I’m glad to see a new restaurant getting some recognition and wish them continued success.

Photograph by John Horner

SoWa Open Market returns

This weekend the SoWa Open Market in the South End returns. The market opens this Saturday and Sunday and will run every Sunday through October 25th from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

This year the market has expanded significantly. An antiques market will be held behind the traditional artisan and crafts market in the former transportation building, which I featured in a former Flashback Friday entry.

Two blocks up Harrison Avenue is an expanded farmer’s market that will also draw visitors to the newly remodeled store fronts along Thayer Street, which include galleries and shops like Mohr & McPherson. No doubt this has contributed to Rocca’s decision to start hosting brunches again during the Open Market. If you have the chance, stop by and check it out.

Rollins Square

Rollins Square is located between Washington Street and Harrison Ave in the heart of SoWa (South of Washington). This area of the South End more than any other has flourished in recent years as previously vacant buildings and empty parking lots have been transformed by developers in partnership with the city of Boston.

Rollins Square was the first apartment complex in the neighborhood built with public access to green space. The open courtyard is meticulously maintained and since opening in 2003 the trees have flourished. In a few more weeks flowers will also be added to the courtyard adding more color and fragarance. I thought I would share these pictures to show off how beautiful this space is right now.

Facing 2 Rollins building



Facing 519 Harrison building



Facing Town Houses



Facing Washington Street



Facing Harrison Avenue

The Company of Men returns to South End


The Loaded Gun is reporting that shooting for Ben Affleck’s movie, “The Company of Men” has returned to the South End for more filming that will last through May 15th. The film stars Ben Affleck, Kevin Costner, Tommy Lee Jones among others.

Back in April much of Union Park was closed off for filming at 5 Union Park. If you are into star gazing it might be fun to spend some time sipping a latte or two from The SouthEnd Buttery on Shawmut Avenue.

Thanks for the tip from Loaded Gun. Fortunately, I no longer have to fight to find street parking so I won’t be cursing at all the trailers taking up valuable street parking real estate.

Aunt Sadie’s is downsizing a bit. On a stroll down Union Park this afternoon I noticed a sign indicating that retail / commercial space was available so I popped my head in to inquire if the South End’s favorite Aunt was considering a move. At times, I can be very nosey like that inquisitive.

I was told that Aunt Sadie was going to occupy their original space rather than both store fronts on Union Park so the store will downsize – no doubt in part due to the economic battering all retailers have felt lately. Fortunately though – the store will remain which is good news because I would be broken hearted if the store were to leave the neighborhood or close all together.

Feel free to wish Aunt Sadie well by buying something (preferably not from their ever growing baby selection)… The Souh End store is at 18 Union Park (between Shawmut and Washington) and can be found online at http://www.auntsadiesinc.com.

South End rumor, new owners have bought space formerly known as The Dish

There is a rumor that the restaurant space occupied by The Dish until it closed in January of this year, has recently been sold. The Dish was a popular neighborhood restaurant on the corner of Shawmut and Milford Street but it’s tiny size probably worked against it during the colder months when their street patio was not available for patrons. I’m hopeful that another eatery will open in its place. Perhaps a delicious sandwich shop or bakery to compliment Formaggio’s across the street.

Good news… Motley lives!

Back in January I wrote about Motley closing in my blog entry, “Motley to close its doors”.

I was really bummed about the news and had not ventured down Tremont near the store, because I was afraid to see it sitting vacant or worse… as another nail salon or real estate office. However, today was so beautiful that I spent much of the afternoon walking around the South End and I happened near Motley only to see that they had a huge sale sign (all jeans are $39 right now). The person working there this afternoon said that the store was purchased from the original owner and would remain open for business.

If you’ve never been to Motley, you should definitely check it out. It is a tiny, tiny store located at 623 Tremont Street. You can also check them out online at ShopMotley.com.

Did I happen to mention that I scored some great jeans and they were only $39?

Flashback Friday: Harrison Avenue

The South End has probably changed more than any other downtown Boston neighborhood. Real estate values remain high even during the current housing crisis. I found this picture of the Boston Elevated Railway Central Power Station which resides on Harrison Avenue. The picture was taken in the mid 1990s and depicts how much of a wasteland “SoWa” South of Washington remained until recently.

Now this section of Harrison Avenue is vibrant. During the day, thousands come here to work in the refurbished mills that GTI Properties purchased in the mid-90s and renovated and at night many come back here to live (like I do) and play.

This particular block of Harrison Avenue hosts the BSC South End as well as Rocca and Gas Light – two respected South End restaurants. I’ve included a quick video of the building which is currently being renovated and will hold an antiques fair every Sunday to coincide with SoWa Open Market.

http://www.youtube.com/get_player