Nice business in the wrong place (for now?)

Finale, a locally owned company specializing in desserts that also serves lunch and a light dinner, is exactly the sort of business that could fit in very well in Barry's Corner as part of a lively and interesting shopping and cultural district.

Unfortunately, at their new Harvard-owned location at 9 Travis Street there is no opportunity to buy anything. Finale did not open a restaurant here, it moved it offices and commercial bakery to Allston. This would fit in well on Lincoln Street or other locations suited for "back street" businesses, but Barry's Corner is supposed to be Main Street, not Back Street.

Fortunately, there is a small but sufficient space in the building that could one day be used for a small take-out storefront. Space between the building and sidewalk could fit a few small tables or benches. Also, Finale has generously donated desserts to local events and it does have Allston roots (the founder lived on Adamson St while attending Harvard Business School). With Harvard's adjacent ex-CITGO station and 7-11 properties and some creativity, this could eventually be the start of a vast improvement for Barry's Corner and the rest of the neighborhood.

The Finale Dessert Co. holds a cake-cutting ceremony today for its new, 8,500-square-foot pastry kitchen and corporate headquarters on Travis Street in Allston. Finale, led by President Paul Conforti, will also announce the planned fall opening of a fifth location in Boston.

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