Spilling the beans on Cafe Gloria

A rendering of the counter inside Cafe Gloria.

Here’s where we can expect to place all of our coffee orders inside Cafe Gloria. | Rendering via @cafegloriabos

There’s been a lot of buzz around a new locally-owned coffee shop that is coming soon to East Boston. Before the coffee begins pouring, we wanted to get to know Will Isaza, the bar director of favorite spots like Blossom Bar and the new Birds of Paradise, who’s opening the new neighborhood cafe at 287 Maverick St. in East Boston.

Before Cafe Gloria began brewing, the “The Gloria” was first introduced as a cocktail in a competition, featuring a rum base with passion fruit, cinnamon, and marscapone — flavors that Will was familiar with and celebrate his Colombian background.

“I did a couple weeks of research in Eastie to see what’s missing in the area and learning what the neighborhood really needs,” Will said.

He saw a need for a community space and local coffee shop, where currently the options are limited to chains like Starbucks, Dunkin’, or what’s available at the airport.

“I went back to the drawing board,” Will said. “It will be a communal space for those looking to enjoy a good cup of coffee, maybe have a couple snacks, and potentially for those who work from home. It’s a coffee shop, so you can just hang out.”

The custom Colombian coffee blend was created in partnership with Somerville-based Broadsheet Roasters. There will also be bites on the menu like arepas, rice bowls, and other snacks that were always on the table while he was growing up.

If you’re wondering what Will’s go-to coffee order is, we asked. When he isn’t drinking an espresso, he will sip on a mocha latte.

While we wait for this Jeffries Point coffee shop to open later this summer, a GoFundMe has been set up for continued support. Keep an eye out for bags of the special roast and for pop-up events this summer.

Events

Monday, May 8

Conservation Up Close: An Introduction | Monday, May 8 | 11-11:30 a.m. | Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston | Free with admission | Tours are limited to 12 participants, first come, first served, to learn what conservators and conservation scientists do every day to care for the encyclopedic collections.
Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series Launch Event | Monday, May 8 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Boston Common, 115 Boylston St., Boston | Free | Bring a yoga mat and enjoy two free workout classes — attendees will receive a giveaway item.

Tuesday, May 9

Gallery Night Tuesdays | Tuesday, May 9 | 6-8:30 p.m. | The Liberty Hotel, 215 Charles St., Boston | Free | Visit the Liberty Lobby to see the work from Michael Yurkovisky and sample complimentary cheeses.

Wednesday, May 10

Guided Bird Tour | Wednesday, May 10 | 7:30-9 a.m. | Community Boating, Inc., 21 David G. Mugar Way, Boston | Free | Bring your binoculars for this guided one-mile walk along the Esplanade to see a variety of species from songbirds to waterfowl.
May Brewery Book Club | Wednesday, May 10 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Lamplighter Broadway, 284 Broadway, Cambridge | Free to attend | Grab a brew and meet in the backroom of the brewery to discuss the novel “How High We Go in the Dark” by Sequoia Nagamatsu.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Playoffs

The Celtics fell to the 76ers in Game Four yesterday, 116-115. Boston is tied with Philadelphia in the best-of-seven series 2-2. The C’s will return to TD Garden for Game Five tomorrow, May 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Coming Soon

Shaquille O’Neal is bringing his fried chicken chain called Big Chicken to Boston. The former Celtics player has partnered with two local franchisees to open six locations in the Greater Boston area. We’re keeping an eye out for location details. (Eater Boston)

Community

Foundation Kitchen, a hybrid food hall + commercial kitchen space in Charlestown, is now accepting applications for space inside the food hall. Current vendors include Render Coffee, Fermenta, and Urban Pharm. Apply here.

Closing

It’s last call for this Irish pub — The Sligo Pub announced it will be closing its doors in early June after 75+ years in the Somerville community. The Davis Square dive bar was previously known as Mahoney’s, and before that as Pat Connolley’s. (Boston Restaurant Talk)

Biz

Good news for the Back Bay, there is a bigger Trader Joe’s coming soon. The California-based grocery chain has received approval to sell alcohol + begin facilities work at the new 16,500-sqft location at 500 Boylston St. (Boston Business Journal)

Shop

She doesn’t need another bouquet of flowers — give mom the gift of learning a new language instead. Bonus: Get 55% off.*
It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re helping you choose the perfect gift for your favorite educators. Show them love with Marble and Steel Craft Chocolates or a handwritten note using a Joy Paper Co. card.

Travel

Itching to take a vacation? We’re always in support of time off + self care — so we’ve rounded up five drool-worthy vacation spots to help you plan. This romantic chateau in Nova Scotia is one of our favorites on the list. See the rest.

Edu

🎒 School is in session

15 school districts in Boston

School is in session today, Boston. | Photo via Pexels

Massachusetts has 302 school districts and 320,000+ students, according to US News. We’re giving you the 411 on enrollment, student-teacher ratio, tuition, and more for the state’s major school districts. And don’t worry, there won’t be any homework.

Before we dive in, here are four fast facts about schools in Boston:

Boston Latin School is the top ranked school in the Bay State and one of the oldest schools in the US.
Boston Public Schools is one of the most diverse school districts in the nation, representing 139 different countries. Plus, nearly one in every two students speaks a language other than English at home.
Boston Public Schools Budget Office manages the $1.3 billion operating budget which will increase by $65 million next fiscal year.
The City of Boston is helping BPS replace the entire school bus fleet with electric school buses by 2030.

15 school districts

The Wrap

Jess Burton in a blue shirt and gold necklace

Today’s edition by:
Jessica

From the editor

Did anyone else get outside over the weekend?

Another sign that warmer weather has arrived is the return of the A4 Beer Garden at Tech Square this Wednesday, May 10 from 2 to 6 p.m. with Equilibrium Brewery + live music from Kelsey Blackstone. Check out the pop-up schedule and head over for pizza, beer, lawn games + live music every other week through Oct. 14.

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