Boston— Samuels & Associates has announced an agreement to assume operations of Time Out Market Boston, ensuring the popular Fenway food hall will remain open following a recent announcement by Time Out Market that it would shutter its Boston and Chicago locations as part of a broader business reorganization.
The move preserves Boston’s first food hall and maintains continuity for more than a dozen local restaurateurs who operate within the market. The decision follows a strong outpouring of community support underscoring the market’s importance as both a neighborhood amenity and an economic engine for local food businesses.
Time Out Market Boston opened in the summer of 2019 as part of Samuels & Associates’ comprehensive redevelopment of the historic 401 Park building. The project was envisioned as an open, public-facing destination, with a world-class food hall and local anchors such as Trillium Brewing playing a central role. While Samuels & Associates sold the building in 2021 and has not been involved in day-to-day operations since that time, the firm originally recruited Time Out Market to Boston and helped establish the concept in Fenway.
“Time Out Market is an important neighborhood amenity and an essential part of what makes Fenway work,” said Steve Samuels, CEO of Samuels & Associates. “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. 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.”
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu praised the swift action, noting the broader cultural and economic significance of the food hall. “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,” Wu said. “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.”
Under the agreement, Time Out will no longer be involved in operations, but the Time Out Market name will be retained through a licensing arrangement.
“Time Out has been a dynamic amenity for the community and visitors, while providing jobs for workers and support for local businesses,” said Tim Horn, President of Fenway Civic Organization Inc. “Keeping Time Out in operation is desirable and will help maintain the vitality of the Fenway.”
Samuels & Associates has been a major presence in Fenway for more than 20 years, with a portfolio that includes the transformation of the former Sears distribution center into 401 Park, as well as projects such as The Pierce, Fenway Triangle Trilogy, The Verb Hotel, Van Ness, 1330 Boylston, and others. The firm has a long history of supporting food and beverage concepts in the neighborhood, including the region’s first Tasty Burger and Trillium Brewing’s presence at the Park at 401.
“Food halls like this thrive when they are closely connected to their surroundings and supported by a team that invests in activation,” said Peter Sougarides, co-President of Samuels & Associates. “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.”
With Samuels & Associates stepping back into an operational role, Time Out Market Boston is set to continue serving as a gathering place that showcases local culinary talent while reinforcing Fenway’s role as one of the city’s most vibrant mixed-use neighborhoods.
