A slice of childhood nostalgia has scooped its last ice cream at Logan Airport. The Friendly's restaurant in East Boston, a staple for sweet treats and family dining, has shuttered, leaving locals and travelers alike without their familiar fix of Fribble milkshakes and SuperMelt sandwiches within city limits. Reports including one from Boston Restaurants Blog, confirmed the closure of the last Friendly's outpost within Route 128.
Established in 1935 by the Blake Brothers, Friendly's carved out a niche as a homey eatery that promised to be, as the name suggests, "a friendly place for families to enjoy a meal together." Generations of customers have done just that, tucking into Big Beef® Burgers and wrapping up dining experiences with scoops of home-churned ice cream. This commitment to family-friendly dining is still heralded by the company, despite the recent closures. "We still believe in that promise," states the company on Friendly's official website. Even as a footprint in Boston grows smaller with this recent shutdown, lovers of the brand can take a trip to the remaining locations in Norwood, Peabody, and Weymouth.
A dedicated base of customers, some of who had been frequenting the establishment since childhood, expressed their disappointment over the loss of the airport eatery. A standalone Friendly's had previously waved goodbye in Stoneham in fall 2019, leaving behind memories and an iconic legacy as it joined the list of bygone neighborhood icons. As reported by Friendly's, the company's roots are in Springfield, and throughout the turbulent tides of the restaurant industry, it has managed to survive as a symbol of simpler times.
As Friendly's bids farewell to Logan Airport, its spirit lives on in nearby locations. The Norwood, Peabody, and Weymouth diners continue to serve up familiar flavors, ensuring the brand's essence endures. Families can still enjoy shared meals and desserts, albeit a bit farther from Boston. Friendly's aims to be a place for generations to celebrate, offering a sweet tradition in a changing world.
