Newton Asian Mart, the Asian supermarket in the former Walgreens space in Newton Centre, has received a temporary Certificate of Occupancy from the City, clearing the way for the store to open after a stop-work order halted activity in late April.
City permit records show the temporary certificate (BTCO-26-28) was issued June 9. Fire-related permits that had been flagged as outstanding — including fire alarm and sprinkler approvals — now show as complete.
On April 24, the store at 22-28 Langley Road received a stop-work order citing the lack of a Certificate of Occupancy. At the time, the store appeared ready to open, with stocked shelves, filled tanks ready for seafood, and pallets of bagged rice visible through the front window, but it had several permits that had not been closed. The store has displayed signs saying “Fire Alarm Testing in Progress” for the past several weeks.
It was the second stop-work order at the site this year. A previous order in January followed the expiration of the project’s Food Establishment Plan Review permit.
When contacted in April, the City’s Director of Economic Development, Lauren Berman, said, “Our goal is always to help businesses open quickly while following the city’s regulations.”
UPDATE: Business owner Miao Kun Fang told Fig City News on June 10 that delays by the sprinkler and fire alarm contractors had caused the extended timeline to close the outstanding permits. Fang said he had hired staff several weeks ago, but many had to move on to other jobs during the wait. He is now rehiring and hopes for a potential soft opening the weekend of June 13-14. A hiring sign posted in Chinese lists openings across seven departments, including dry goods, frozen foods, meat, fish, cashier, and cleaning.
Ed. Note: This article has been updated with information from business owner.