Spring 2011 What’s New

GENERAL

• Thalia Tringo, who has been buying and selling property in Somerville since 2002, started her own business in January. Contact Thalia Tringo Real Estate , thaliarealtor.com) to discuss buying or selling a home.
• In February, the City of Somerville
(somervillema.gov) launched a new traffic and parking web site (parksomerville.com). Got tickets? Now you can contest or pay them online. You can order parking permits too. To give your feedback on the new site, e-mail .
• Somerville Scout (235E Highland Ave, , somervillescout.com) is now offering vouchers providing major discounts at your favorite Somerville spots. Go to somervillescout.com/deals to find phenomenal deals at Boston Burger Company, Davis Squared, Mike’s Food & Spirits, O2 Yoga, Ronnarong Thai Tapas Bar, Union Square Acupuncture and Yak & Yeti. But you need to act fast — our supply of vouchers is limited!

ASSEMBLY SQUARE

• The City of Somerville (somervillema.gov) is transferring $3.5 million of federal funding from the Community Path to the future Orange Line T stop at Assembly Square. Construction on the new station will be put out to bid this spring.

DAVIS SQUARE

• Black and Blues (89 Holland St), a clothing boutique established in 1999, closed in late February. Check the Scout blog for updates on who might take over the space – we have spotted a nearby store owner casing the joint.
• Sagra Ristorante (400 Highland Ave) closed in March after four years in business. A new bar, Five Horses Tavern, will open in its place.
• Renovations are complete at Orleans Restaurant and Bar (65 Holland St, , orleansrestaurant.com), where there is also a brand new menu.
• Wainwright Bank (250 Elm St, ) became Eastern Bank (easternbank.com) on March 19.

EAST SOMERVILLE

• The scaffolding is down at Mudflat Studio’s new space (79 Broadway, , mudflat.org). Occupancy of the 16,000 sq. ft. new building is scheduled for late spring.
• Las Brisas (561 McGrath Hwy, ), a Spanish, Italian and American restaurant, opened late last year. In early March, it was awarded a beer and wine license by the Licensing Commission.

PORTER SQUARE

• Boasting new floors, new walls and a “more upscale” appearance, Eddie’s Furniture (95 Elm St, ) had its grand reopening March 21. Owner Eddie Louzada wants his eponymous furniture shop to look more like Sunshine Lucy’s (93 Holland St), which he also owns.

SPRING HILL

• Somerville Wine & Spirits (235 Highland Ave, ) now offers delivery. Just in time for the NBA playoffs!

TEELE SQUARE

• A new Indian and Nepali restaurant, Masala (1127 Broadway), is coming to the former location of Tip Top Thai. Owner Binoj Pradhan, 27 — also the proprietor of the Subway in Union Square — would not give an opening date.

UNION SQUARE

• Ebi Sushi Bar (290 Somerville Ave) is opening in the former location of Wu Chon House.

WEST SOMERVILLE

• Prior to the 2011 season, the Boston Militia (bostonmilitia.com), who play home games at Dilboy Stadium (110 Alewife Brook Pkwy), moved from the Independent Women’s Football League (IWFL) to the Women’s Football Association. The defending IWFL champions will face tougher competition and be part of the WFA’s efforts to bring national attention to women’s football.

WILSON SQUARE

• Tea Zone (15A Elm St, ) will shut its doors for good at the end of March. Co-owner Wen Lee did not discuss details with a Scout reporter.  “A decision was made,” he said.