After 40 years of enlivening the taste buds of the Greater Boston community, Tiki Island—a beloved Polynesian restaurant in Medford—is set to close "within the month or sooner." The announcement, which came via a Facebook post, has generated an outpouring of support, with many reminiscing about the "sweet memories" that the establishment helped create.
Located at 269 Middlesex Ave in Medford, Tiki Island was famous for attracting events with its elegant function room and delicious Chinese and Polynesian cuisine. According to MassLive, its customers expressed their gratitude and shared their fond memories on the restaurant's post. One person declared that they used to visit the restaurant so often that they knew the Muzak sequence by heart. Another reminisced about how Tiki Island was always their first stop when they visited Medford from Florida and said the news saddened them, but they were also thankful for the great memories and appetizing food.
The restaurant's management explained in the Facebook post that the owners decided to retire, despite the business being in good shape. They noted the challenges of running a restaurant and how much attention and effort it demands to maintain its success. An official closing date was not provided, but the restaurant will soon be under new ownership, as reported by NBC Boston.
While the restaurant community awaits news on the official closure date, the customer response has highlighted the impact of such establishments on local communities. As one customer shared on the Facebook post, as mentioned in an article from Boston25News, "Thank you for all your years of great food, service, and many great times at your restaurant. Enjoy your retirement. You will be missed!"
The closure of Tiki Island marks the end of an era, with many other Polynesian spots closing down in the Greater Boston area over the years. These include popular names like Bali Hai in Lynnfield, Weylu's in Saugus, Makaha in Acton, Imperial Terrace in Quincy, Tiki Hideaway in Boston's Fenway neighborhood, and The South Pacific in Newton, as reported by the same NBC Boston article.
