'I’m so sorry it’s over': Mass. artisanal pizza shop shutters after 11 years
A Neapolitan pizza and sandwich shop near Boston's waterfront has closed after more than a decade.
Pastoral ARTisan Pizza + Kitchen + Bar has shut down after 11 years, according to a message posted on the eatery's website and a Jan. 30 Facebook post from owner Todd Winer.
"There is no joy posting this message," owner Todd Winer wrote in the message. "After 11 years, Pastoral is officially closing for service."
"Thank you for being a part of what we built here, of the families we've seen grow here, the friends we've made, the many returning faces we see so often, and of the resilience and support of our Fort Point community," Winer wrote. "I'm so sorry it's over. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."
While Winer did not disclose why his business was shutting down, he wrote that he "never imagined Pastoral closing this way," adding "if I'm honest, I never imagined it closing at all."
He continued, "This place has been deeply meaningful to me, our beloved staff and many others, and the loss is significant."
That sentiment was shared by patrons who left heartfelt comments on Winer's Facebook post.
"What an amazing run you've had, my friend," one Facebook user commented. "I'm very grateful for all the great times we've had at Pastoral. Love you."
Another user praised Winer for "creating a unique eatery that was before it's time" that is now "been duplicated many times over all over the country."
"The food service industry is brutal fiscally, physically, and emotionally to be able to create an atmosphere that people want to come back to it again again for more than a decade," they continued. "Whatever the reasons are for the closure, be sure not to celebrate all you were able to create and maintain for all this time."
Pastoral first opened in 2014, according to Yelp . The restaurant specialized in Neapolitan pizza in addition to pasta dishes, Italian appetizers and wood-fired entrees such as Chicken Parmesan and Steak Frites.
Pastoral was equally known for its sub shop that served sandwiches during lunch Tuesday through Friday.
"Pastoral is a home, a restaurant, and a community and a dream. Dedicated to food and its direct connection to celebration, community, and culture," the establishment's website reads. "Built on a foundation of relationships with our community of friends and teachers, hunters and farmers, importers and foragers, wine & beer makers, fishermen, builders, artists, we work to celebrate food and the daily nourishment it provides."
The address for the now-closed Pastoral ARTisan Pizza + Kitchen + Bar was 345 Congress St., Boston.
MassLive has reached out to Winer for more information.
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