Breaking news: Sign on the Gorham Street cafe today says "had to close store." What? I just bought some killer tatoosh beans on Sat. and there was no inkling the cafe was about to shutter. I even chatted w/ the owner Aaron. Now that I think about it, he seemed a little down. I blamed it on being overworked, but maybe he was on the way out. Anyone know anything?
Im headed over there now to find out. If this is true (and he's not taking an abrupt vaca) it's a big loss to the downtown eating/drinking/cafe scene. Im pissed.
Update: It's true. No vaca for Aiello. The owner was behind on rent. Look for my story in tomorrow's sun. Now where can we go for our velvet foam lattes?
If Starbucks are closing, you can be we're going to see the little places close too. Which sucks, because the little places are great!
Lowell needed a real coffee shop like Aiello, good java, good vibes, good food. They need to be open late and on weekends too. Give us free wifi and we'll come.
GG, we need the scoop!
Oh no, it was my favorite coffee shop :( Going to miss it a lot.
I drove by this place almost every day on my way to work, and hadn't dropped in since they let me in after hours when they first opened. Hey, I'm always running late and get Starbucks beans for free at the office. But when I get home, or better yet after dinner, a good coffee and simple dessert can be a great thing. I always thought that a location on any of the three M streets would've done them so much better. Towers Corners ... you have to be a destination like Ricardo's to pull that off.
Like Emily, I'd love to have a late-night coffee option that isn't primarily a bar like Paradiso. It never occurred to me that Aiello'd be a great place to buy beans. Too late now, I guess...
sad sad news... this was definitely the best cafe in lowell... i don't mind the vibe of the other places but they are not up to snuff with Aiello's coffee quality
Since Corey seconded my opinion, I want to ask the masses - are there any evening or late-night hangouts that aren't bars in the area? I'm lookin, but I'm not seein.
It amazes me how many people there are out there who can't drink coffee in the afternoon or they say they'll be up all night. You have to drink it to the point where not only does it not affect you at night, but you'll have a headache if you don't drink it :-)
When I went to San Francisco last year, it seemed almost impossible, even with a Starbucks on every corner, to find coffee after 8. When I was in college in Albany, we had a Peet's that was open till midnight, and I was very much a regular after dark. In Lowell, the only downtown option I know of is the old Portuguese Credit Union Dunks, which again is all the way to Towers Corners and is definitely not worth the walk.
Hmmmm, coffee later at night? Good coffee, I assume. I can't remember the name of the place but it had a chubby orange and pink font and I believe the sold assorted round pastries with holes in the middle. It may be a chain because I'm pretty sure I've seen more than one. "They Might be Giants" sings about the place all the time on the radio and TV but I just can't seem to remember the name of the place. If I can think of it I'll post back, but be on the look-out for that chubby orange and pink font!
But I wouldn't Call the Dunk at the credit union a "late night hangout." Aiello is the perfect spot to be turned over into a lounge that serves wine/beer/tapas/coffee/dessert. A fourth place if you will. Open from 4 to 11ish, to capture the 30-plus crowd who don't fit at the Courtyard, Shamrock, El Rincon and may be tired of the irish bar scene. Wouldn't this work?
Something in/near the new garage would be awesome (at least for Peter). I got out of my car starving one day and realized the only thing that's "right there" is Elliot's. Don't get me wrong, I've been known to dabble in a dog or 4 but I just can't help but think all those cars in that garage have owners who'd probably be down for a good coffee and sandwich on their way into or out of their cars. At least I would.
We kneed a bakery or a calzone specialist!
"Kneed," I KILL me!
Chris Natalie could've cut him a break. The amount of rent he was charging was ridiculous.
theif
As I've posted elsewhere, I hate seeing businesses of this nature go under, especially as it's these types of places that are re-inventing the downtown area. I never made it to AIello, and I probably still wouldn't make it down there had it been there for another 10 years. But I liked knowing it was there...
I can't help but agree that the location and timing was the big killer here. Three years down the road, as the JAM plan launches into full swing, the demand would be there, and the location would be ideal.
Sadly, I didn't even know this place existed. I'm not one to actually go out and buy my coffee, since I prefer my home brew, but every once in a great while...and especially during the folk fest weekend I need the added pep and refuse to leave the downtown area for it.
I know some of the regular peeps who comment here have complained about Brew'd Awakening but I had pretty good coffee a couple of times...and recently had the iced coffee and it was great. I know they're open late on Fridays and Saturdays.
I work in DTL...have meant to go to Aiello's and I am sorry I did not. I totally agree that until that section of DTL is completed...Garage et al, not much is going to succeed there. Anything new with rest weeks?
Hi all
I am always seeking feedback to improve the store but what is it that is good or bad about Brew'd Awakening Coffeehaus. What would you like to see so that you can continue to support the independents vs the chains?
We have offered music on saturday nights (still do) and stayed open till 10 on weekends until just recently (needed to change that because of the few customers that sought this alternative consistently). Also we have free wifi, sandwiches, crepes, etc.
Feel free to let me know. My email is andy@brewdawakening.com
Thank you
There aren't enough residents or employees in Downtown Lowell to support all the eating and drinking establishments. You'll continue to see new doors open and old ones close until that situation changes. You simply can't count on enough people coming into downtown from other parts of the city or suburbs to support these places, especially in tough economic times.
Meanwhile, shame on those of you who waste your money at these chains. I can't tell you how sickening it is to drive by an Appleby's (Crappleby's as we call it) or Chile's and see those places packed every night of the week, while quality small places struggle to survive.
Hey - I do my best to keep my dollars downtown, but when I pick my girlfriend up at 10 at night after work and need something quick, you're right I go to Chilis or the 99s. There is something to be said for a chain restaurant. Cheap comfort food from a large menu that's served quickly and without the noise level of your favorite downtown pub. There is nothing comprable down here (Hookslides is the closest, and they can be painfully slow and I wouldn't say they're better than Chilis quality wise, and certainly not in menu options), and forget about as late at night as 10. There are things that draw people to chains for various reasons that Downtown Lowell just can't ever compete with. Primarily those that depend on a large and steady volume of customers, which depends largely on excellent vehicular access.
Speaking of which, I visited Lawrence this week and went to the little local chain of Salvatore's on Merrimack Street. Wasn't half bad, especially for our sister city, but guess what? It's visible from an interstate and has plenty of parking. Lowell can't compete with that setup because we simply don't have it.
Oh Corey, Corey, Corey,. Take it from someone who's worked in chains for years, you are not getting quality food. That's part of the reason it costs, slightly, less.
My favorite after 10pm spot is Cobblestones. They're usually not that busy around that time on a week night. You can get an awesome burger, a variety of apps, or even a sirloin until 11:30pm. It's just as fast as a chain and THEY serve quality.
Flash, you are so correct. I love DTL's variety of eateries, however there are just so many now that it seems impossible that they can all survive and thrive in that small area.
We need more to bring folks into DTL and keep them there. More retail aimed at grownups, please!!
It's not that I dislike Brew'd, it's that I prefer somewhere comfortable where I can sit, drink my coffee, lug out my laptop and have wifi, and hang out in the evenings on weekdays after work. Brew'd is ok, but I don't get a welcoming, comfy vibe that encourages me to stay for any length of time.
Hmmm... I've never thought of Cobblestones as an affordable and late-night dining option, but that's a good tip, thanks!
I'm optimistic that things will turn around downtown. Every year the Folkfest opens peoples eyes about what Lowell has to offer. But restaurant owners have to be creative. Why not offer half price apps from 3-5am-kidding or 9-11pm? Any other suggestions?
Grownup retail would be good. More late night choices would be good, too. But we have to also make a more concerted effort to frequent these places and spend some actual dough there. Have to make it profitable for these folks to stay in business. Don't go eat at a chain or a place in the suburbs and then expect to go downtown, occupy an outdoor table and sip on the same drink for two hours. Have your meal there instead and help support your neighbors.
I've visited Brews Awakening a coupke of times and I have to agree it is NOT a welcoming atmosphere. The help have a grungy look about them - I wonder if some of them know that clean clothes and neat hair is important in the food business. They also keep their music too loud - I tried to carry on a conversation with the person I was at the table with - but all I could hear was the music and the help talking about who they bonked last night. No reason for me to go back - I've now discovered the Coffee Mill - I go there now - it's worth the few extra steps. While I'm at it - Monkeys Ice Cream.....outrageous prices for what is obviously wholesale commercial ice cream - yeech!
Andrew... Glad you asked! My issue with Brewed is the most definitely cleanliness. Once you make your way through the hangers out in the doorway, I don't think the place nor the employees are that clean nor are they very friendly and welcoming. Instead of concentrating on customers, they have there back and forth convos that should be relegated to 'the break room'. I don't care who they're boinking or how hung over they are, they're there to 'serve'. I have the same issue with Market Basket cashiers. You have a good product and this blog is not the first place I've heard the cleanliness thing brought up.
I'd be happy to help you with training.
I'm sorry to see Aiello close. I liked to walk
there from time to time on a weekend
afternoon -- maybe get a sandwich for
lunch.
Sometimes I'd stop on the
way to work and visit Dana's for some candy.
Aiello and Brew'd have different vibes and
I'd go to the one that matched the mood
I was in at the time.