Cardullo’s Plans Boston Expansion

Cardullo’s Gourmet Shoppe, a Harvard Square staple since 1950, is planning to open a second location of its specialty food store in Boston’s Seaport neighborhood.

The planned 101 Seaport Boulevard storefront is a 20 minute drive from Cardullo’s sole current location at 6 Brattle St. Cardullo’s is Harvard Square’s oldest deli and is known for its wine, cheese, and international gourmet foods.

Richard Wilson, co-owner of Cardullo’s with his wife, Kim Wilson, said the new store will be “identical” to the Cambridge location, describing it as “Cardullo’s Two.”

The Boston Licensing Board met Wednesday morning to discuss a requested alcohol license for the new Cardullo’s store and plans to announce a final decision Thursday. Wilson said he is hopeful the license will be granted.

The Brattle St. property housing the original Cardullo’s and other Square businesses was recently sold by the Dow and Stearns family trust to Asana Partners as part of a $108 million deal. Wilson said, though, that he does not believe the recent property sale will affect his store.

Wilson said Cardullo’s has a good relationship with its new property owner.

“It’s our intention as the business owners to stay here for a long time," he said.

The gourmet deli, which Frank N. Cardullo founded in 1950, remained in the family for three generations until the founder's granddaughters Donez Cardullo-Tavilla and Francesca Cardullo sold the shop in 2015.

The planned new location, 101 Seaport Boulevard, is a 17-story office building occupied primarily by the accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers’s northeast headquarters.

After obtaining his alcohol license, Wilson said he will need to remodel the new Cardullo's, but plans to open the location in May.

“We’ve had a great time [in the Square], and we’re looking to bring the brand to a new, exciting part of Boston that’s developing,” Wilson said.

Wilson added he thinks the proximity of the two Cardullo’s stores will allow employees and managers to move between both locations, something he said will be helpful for both shops.

—Staff writer Henry W. Burnes can be reached at henry.burnes@thecrimson.com.