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Sunrise Cafe opens in former Papa Gino's space in Hyde Park

Sunrise Cafe opens in former Papa Gino's space in Hyde Park

Built World Boston, MA local

New breakfast spot is the latest sign of change in Cleary Square

Today: Universal Hub reports Sunrise Cafe open in former Papa Gino's space

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Sunrise Cafe Bagels & Diner opened in the former Papa Gino's space at Hyde Park Avenue and River Street in Hyde Park, keeping the old pizza oven. The counter-service spot serves breakfast and lunch: eggs, omelets, pancakes, bagels, and tacos, with coffee from New England Coffee.

The opening comes as Cleary Square, Hyde Park's business district, faces a Squares + Streets rezoning proposal. The Planning Department held its only scheduled in-person public meeting on the plan on April 8, where residents raised concerns about parking, traffic and the displacement of minority-owned businesses.

Why it matters

A new independent breakfast spot has opened in Cleary Square while the city weighs rezoning the business district around it.

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Key Indicators

1
New restaurant in Cleary Square
Sunrise Cafe Bagels & Diner opened in the former Papa Gino's space at Hyde Park Avenue and River Street.
7
Maximum building stories in proposed rezoning
The proposed Cleary Square Squares+Streets map allows up to seven stories along parts of Hyde Park Avenue and River Street.

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People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

December 2023 October 2026

4 events Latest: Today
Tap a bar to jump to that date
  1. Universal Hub reports Sunrise Cafe open in former Papa Gino's space

    Today Business opening

    Universal Hub reports Sunrise Cafe Bagels & Diner has recently opened in the former Papa Gino's space in Cleary Square.

  2. Planning Department hosts Cleary Square rezoning meeting

    Public meeting

    Planning Department hosts Cleary Square Squares+Streets public meeting; residents raise concerns.

  3. Zoning Commission codifies Squares+Streets districts

    Policy

    Boston Zoning Commission codifies six original Squares+Streets districts.

  4. Boston releases Squares+Streets zoning framework

    Policy

    Boston Planning and Development Agency releases Article 26, introducing Squares+Streets zoning districts.

Scenarios

1

Sunrise Cafe becomes a Cleary Square staple

Possible Resolves by Oct 11, 2027

Discussed by: Universal Hub, which reported the opening

The restaurant builds a regular customer base and remains open through its first year. The square's summer concert series and new riverfront projects could draw steady foot traffic.

2

Sunrise Cafe closes within a year

Unlikely Resolves by Oct 11, 2027

Discussed by: Restaurant industry observers

The spot struggles to build a customer base and closes, following the pattern of the Papa Gino's that preceded it. Small restaurants face high failure rates in their first year.

3

Cleary Square rezoning approved

Possible Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Boston Planning Department, District 5 Councilor Enrique Pepén

The Boston Zoning Commission approves the Cleary Square Squares+Streets map, allowing up to seven stories along parts of Hyde Park Avenue and River Street. The approval would reshape the district's development potential and could bring new residential buildings to the square.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2018

Papa Gino's bankruptcy (2018)

Papa Gino's, a New England pizza chain, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2018 and closed dozens of locations across the region. The chain had been a fixture in many New England neighborhoods for decades.

Then

Dozens of storefronts went vacant across New England as the chain shrank.

Now

Independent restaurants and other businesses have since filled many former Papa Gino's spaces.

Why this matters now

The Hyde Park location on Hyde Park Avenue was one of the chain's former sites. Its vacancy created the space Sunrise Cafe now occupies.

2009

The High Line (2009)

New York City converted an abandoned elevated rail line on Manhattan's West Side into a public park. The first section opened in 2009, and the park drew millions of visitors.

Then

Property values and commercial development surged in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Now

The High Line became a model for using public space to anchor neighborhood revitalization.

Why this matters now

Cleary Square is trying a smaller version of this dynamic: the River Street Bridge closure created a plaza for a summer concert series, and new riverfront projects aim to draw people to the square.

Sources

(3)