638334 Tue Jul 21 12:46:56 -0700 2009 17 12 Boston Area 0 4877996 The following appeared in the 7/9/09 issue of the Hyde Park Bulletin . . . "Residents have waited over a year for C.F. Donovan’s restaurant to open on Hyde Park Avenue and soon, the wait will be over. The restaurant’s owner, Arthur Donovan, said he plans to open the restaurant in stages, beginning as early as this week. The first stage of openings will serve caterers and functions, he said. Licensing Board Chairman Daniel Pokaski said the restaurant had been holding onto a liquor license the entire time they were closed. According to Pokaski, Donovan told the board that he needed time to make renovations to the building, which took longer than he had expected. Donovan could not provide an exact date for when the entire restaurant would be functioning nor did he confirm what renovations had been made to the building. Lisa Timberlake, spokesperson for Boston Inspectional Services Department, (ISD), said the most recent document they have from C.F. Donovan’s is a certificate of occupancy and no paperwork filed asking for a health inspection. Residents still anticipate the opening will fill a much-needed void in the community." Tue Jul 21 12:46:56 -0700 2009 87253 Roons 1 4878117 Thanks for the update. I think it's actually been 2-3yrs. I'.ve decided to take the attitude that I'll believe it when I see it. There have been several dates given yn the past that haven't happened. Last Fall, I was eating over at their Savan Hill restaurant and asked our waiter if he had any updates regarding Hyde Park. He thought it had already opened! Tue Jul 21 13:14:33 -0700 2009 4877996 66655 catsmeow 2 4960118 Still not open a month later.... Wed Aug 19 14:02:12 -0700 2009 4878117 70879 gardgen 3 4961578 It's only been 3 years!! I've given up waiting and wouldn't be suprised if he sold it. Thu Aug 20 05:12:04 -0700 2009 4960118 26213 Pegmeister 4 5098058 Rumor is that he is doing catering out of the facility but its a ploy to keep the liquor license. I pass it every day and there is no activity at the site. Mon Oct 12 16:10:30 -0700 2009 4961578 70879 gardgen 1 5099228 I'm not holding my breath! (Been doing that for 3 years now.) Tue Oct 13 07:17:57 -0700 2009 4877996 14771 hiddenboston 2 5125178 Just saw on Universal Hub that they are in default on two loans totalling $300,000 to the BRA's Boston Local Development Corp. Don't think that bodes well for this place ever opening. Fri Oct 23 09:03:25 -0700 2009 5099228 186524 Dea 3 5125353 Whoa. I hope this doesn't affect their Dorchester business. That's not good at all. Fri Oct 23 09:56:25 -0700 2009 5125178 14771 hiddenboston 4 5178323 Dot Donovans is closed as of yesterday Fri Nov 13 07:00:31 -0800 2009 5125353 12724 eLizard 5 5178791 I'm really sad to hear that Savin Hill location closed. I know there was a lot of financial difficulty. Sounds like Arthur paid dearly for his divorce. Fri Nov 13 09:23:07 -0800 2009 5178323 26213 Pegmeister 6 5179351 You probably shouldn't comment on something you know nothing of...... Fri Nov 13 11:56:04 -0800 2009 5178791 173344 KBA 7 5179379 I would never comment on something I don't know about. That said, Donovans was a great neighborhood spot. Hyde Park loses out and so does Savin Hill. I have every hope that Arthur can regroup and restablish. He ran a good restaurant, had pleasant staff and decent food. Fri Nov 13 12:05:29 -0800 2009 5179351 26213 Pegmeister 7 5179586 moi? i freely admit i know nothing. except as of yesterday, the restaurant was shuttered. Fri Nov 13 13:15:22 -0800 2009 5179351 12724 eLizard 1 5178200 Update....this place is officially dead. Last night a big truck was out front, and men were moving lots of stainless steel kitchen and bar equipment into the truck. Fri Nov 13 06:11:57 -0800 2009 4877996 12647 JudyHP 2 5178243 I heard a rumor that aliens came and abducted everything. CF Donovans, R.I.P. We never even got to know ye. Fri Nov 13 06:25:49 -0800 2009 5178200 11275 Prav 2 5179560 Here is the 11/12/2009 story from the Dorchester Reporter: C.F. Donovan's apparently shuts down C.F. Donovan's, the popular Dorchester neighborhood restaurant and bar on Savin Hill Ave. across from the T station, was shuttered this morning and appears closed. At lunchtime, all the doors are locked, and all the windows were covered with brown paper. A neighbor reports visiting the buiilding and seeing two small trucks backed up to a rear door off the kitchen. Three workers were seen moving what appeared to be kitchen equipment onto the trucks. Phone calls to the business went unanswered, and owner Arthur Donovan could not be reached for comment. The Hyde Park Bulletin recently reported that Donovan was in default on $300,000 in loans from the Boston Redevelopment Authority for a branch location in Hyde Park that was planned to open for business in 2007, but was never completed. Fri Nov 13 13:10:02 -0800 2009 5178200 98619 Delhiwala 3 5180162 It is an extremely difficult time for all involved with C F Donovan's. For all the hounds with their self proclaimed gastronome expertize-especially Dea, Judy and smartguy Prav. - wherein your soulless frame exists any human compassion? Shame on you. Fri Nov 13 17:41:14 -0800 2009 5179560 169981 Skaket4 4 5183442 You're right, I think I'll send them flowers and a card. Sun Nov 15 12:19:28 -0800 2009 5180162 11275 Prav