Samuels & Associates steps in to keep Time Out Market Boston open

Boston, MA Samuels & Associates finalized an agreement to assume operations of Time Out Market Boston, ensuring the Fenway food hall will remain open. The decision maintains continuity for more than a dozen local restaurateurs who call the market home and responds to a strong groundswell of community support for the city’s first food hall.

Time Out Market announced it would be closing its Boston and Chicago locations as part of a broader business reorganization. Time Out Market was originally recruited to the city by Samuels & Associates and opened in the summer of 2019, as part of its comprehensive reimagining of the historic 401 Park building. The entire ground-floor experience for 401 Park – including the creation of a new public park – was designed to be open and inviting to the public; a world class food hall and local brewery like Trillium were a central part of that vision. 

Samuels & Associates sold the building in 2021 and has not been involved in ongoing operations since that time.

“Time Out Market is an important neighborhood amenity and an essential part of what makes Fenway work. It serves residents, students and employees at the Colleges of the Fenway, the Longwood Medical Area workforce, and the many people who work in Fenway’s offices and businesses, while also helping balance the activity generated by sports, music, and entertainment venues nearby,” said Steve Samuels, CEO of Samuels & Associates. “Recognizing this, we moved quickly to find a path forward. We’re pleased to have reached an agreement that supports continued operations and allows us to work collaboratively with the existing restaurateurs to build on what they have successfully established.”

“Every great city needs great food halls, and Time Out Market in Fenway has been a needed gathering space and economic hub showcasing our local culinary talent to residents, coworkers, and visitors from around the world. I’m grateful for the swift leadership from Steve Samuels and our Fenway community to ensure this will continue to be a bright spot in Boston’s food scene and the Fenway neighborhood,” said Boston Mayor Michelle Wu.

Though Time Out will no longer be involved in operations, the parties have reached agreement to maintain the Time Out Market name under a license agreement.

“Time Out has been a dynamic amenity for the community and visitors, while providing jobs for workers and support for local businesses. Keeping Time Out in operation is desirable and will help maintain the vitality of the Fenway,” said Tim Horn, President, Fenway Civic Organization Inc.

Samuels & Associates has been a property owner and manager in Fenway for more than two decades, transforming the historic Landmark building – a former Sears distribution center – into 401 Park and shaping the neighborhood through projects including The Pierce, Fenway Triangle Trilogy, The Verb Hotel, Van Ness, 1330 Boylston, and more. The region’s first Tasty Burger opened at a Samuels property (now home to Cisco Brewers only year-round location in greater Boston), and the Park at 401 is home to Trillium Brewing.

“Food halls like this thrive when they are closely connected to their surroundings and supported by a team that invests in activation. Over more than two decades, we’ve built collaborative relationships with locally owned restaurants across our portfolio by approaching these spaces as creative partnerships – focused on thoughtful programming, connectivity, and driving foot traffic throughout the day and across seasons,” said Peter Sougarides, co-President, Samuels & Associates.