Croft Withdraws, City and Neighborhood Groups Weigh Next Steps

As Foodie's Markets prepares to close its longtime South End grocery at 1421 Washington Street this June, new information is emerging about what may — and may not — come next for the site.

Earlier this month, The Croft School confirmed it would no longer pursue plans to lease the former Foodie's space, citing the intensity of community concern and a desire to avoid further division. School leaders said they remain committed to the South End but will look elsewhere for a consolidated location.

Multiple neighborhood associations — including the Blackstone/Franklin Square Neighborhood Association, Worcester Square Area Neighborhood Association, East Berkeley Neighborhood Association, and the South End Business Alliance — are now working alongside the Boston Mayor's Office on next steps.

At the same time, some community members are urging realism about whether another grocery store is viable at the site.

In a post to the South End Community Board, Jack O'Leary questioned whether calls for a replacement grocer overlook Foodie's own explanation for leaving. "Foodie's was an excellent operator," O'Leary wrote, noting that the company chose to exit the South End while remaining in South Boston. Foodie's owner Victor G. Leon said in a statement that continuing at 1421 Washington Street would have required significant capital investment to upgrade the aging building and mechanical systems — a level of long-term financial risk the company determined was not feasible given current economic conditions facing independent grocers.

O'Leary also pointed out that the neighborhood is currently served by Whole Foods, Star Market, and Tropical Foods on Melnea Cass Boulevard, and suggested the community consider alternative uses for the site, including affordable daycare, health services, a remote city service center, or expanded public-school space.

Others expressed skepticism about whether the space will remain commercial at all. In a separate post, Joshua R. O'Donoghue predicted the building could ultimately be torn down and replaced with condominiums — potentially leaving the neighborhood without either a grocery store or a school.

Leon has reiterated that the closure is not the result of pressure from another tenant. The store is expected to remain open through early June, with staff asking neighbors for continued kindness and support during its final months.

As discussions continue, the future of 1421 Washington Street remains undecided.