A Thai specialty coffee roaster that surpassed its crowdfunding goal, a New York halal franchise and a returning Brookline Village wine market are among the businesses set to open along Harvard Street and Commonwealth Avenue this summer and fall.
The biggest splash belongs to Newbery Street Coffee Roasters, founded by Pack Katisomsakul, a three-time U.S. National Brewers Cup finalist who placed third in 2024 and 2025 and fifth in 2026. Katisomsakul and his wife Thunya Penbumrungvong are converting the former Cremeux space at 240 Harvard St., near Coolidge Corner, into a Thai specialty coffee café.
The couple's Kickstarter campaign, launched Aug. 1, had raised $26,851 from 180 backers as of Tuesday, Aug. 18, clearing its $25,000 goal with a stretch target of $50,000. The all-or-nothing campaign runs through Aug. 31.
"After more than a year of hosting pop-up cafés, we've finally found the perfect place that Newbery Street can call home," Katisomsakul wrote in a blog post published Aug. 1.
The café will serve hand-brewed pour-over coffees, Asian-inspired drinks including Cha Yen and Black Sesame Latte, and signature salt bread. Katisomsakul has been running weekend pop-ups at Merai Bar in Brookline Village for more than a year. No firm opening date is set, though the Kickstarter listed a goal of late August.
More openings along Commonwealth Ave.
Shahs Halal Food, a New York-based franchise with three existing Boston locations, will open a 25-seat restaurant at 830 Commonwealth Ave., according to Brookline Licensing Board records. The menu will feature chicken and beef shawarma, kebabs and falafel.
At 1026 Commonwealth Ave., the former BE Pasta Bar space, a restaurant called Bingtanghulu has been approved for an entertainment and outdoor dining license by the Licensing Board, though the business does not plan to offer outdoor seating. Tanghulu is a Chinese snack of fruit on bamboo skewers dipped in malt sugar.
Harvard Street turnover
KaoJiu Chinese barbecue at 406 Harvard St. closed after its owner moved back to China, Brookline.News reported. Licensing Board records show a restaurant called Yu Yue has been approved for a full liquor license and an entertainment and outdoor dining license at the same address. As we reported July 29, Yu Yue Bar & BBQ appeared before the Planning Board for a façade sign review, a key permitting step toward opening.
Brookline Village market returns
Sorriso Market in Brookline Village, which closed last year, is slated to reopen in August under its original ownership with a more specialized focus on European wines, according to Brookline.News.
The Newbery Street Kickstarter campaign closes Aug. 31, and residents can still back the project at newberyst.com.
