Boston Restaurants Standing in Solidarity With ‘A Day Without a Woman’ Strike

On Wednesday, March 8, which is International Women’s Day, women around the world plan to “act together for equity, justice, and the human rights of women and all gender-oppressed people, through a one-day demonstration of economic solidarity.” The organizers (who were also behind the Women’s March on Washington) have dubbed the demonstration “A Day Without a Woman,” and anyone who is interested and able to participate is encouraged to take one or more of the following actions on March 8: Take the day off from both paid and unpaid labor; avoid shopping for the day (with exceptions for businesses that are small and women- and minority-owned); wear red.

Like the February 16 “A Day Without Immigrants” strike, March 8 will surely resonate among some restaurants in the Boston area. We’ll be tracking local restaurants’ plans for the day here, whether they’re closing, staying open but donating money to women-related charities, or taking other actions in solidarity.

Do you work at or represent a restaurant in the Boston area with plans to close on Wednesday or otherwise support A Day Without a Woman? Email boston@eater.com with your plans; we’ll be updating this piece frequently through the end of the day on Wednesday.

CLOSED

• Jodi Bee Bakes (7 Church St., Salem) — From owner Jodi Bradbury: “My bakery, Jodi Bee Bakes in Salem, MA, will be closed and my predominantly female staff will be paid for the day.” More on Facebook.
• The Naumkeag Ordinary (118 Washington St., Salem) — “Today is International Women's day. Women and allies will act together for equity, justice and the human rights of women and all gender-oppressed people, through a one-day demonstration of economic solidarity. Today is a day for reflection & action; observation & questioning. Today we must commit to doing better so that tomorrow dawns brighter, safer, and more free for us, our mothers, sisters, and daughters.”
• The Ugly Mug Diner (120 Washington St., Salem) — From principal owner and managing partner Diane Wolf: “We will be closing the Ugly Mug Diner at 120 Washington Street in Salem in solidarity with the women's strike. I am lucky that I am able to strike on Wednesday, knowing many women are not in a position to take a day off simply to call attention to women's issues. We, at the Ugly Mug, are striking in the name of women who are forced to make hard decisions every day about their economic safety, personal safety, the safety of their children or their Reproductive Rights. When women of color and LGBTQ citizens are treated as "lesser" or "other," we need to shine a light on that disparity, and that's what I hope we are doing by closing the restaurant for the day.” More on Facebook.
• Violette Gluten-Free (407 Concord Ave., Fresh Pond, Cambridge) — “As a woman owned and staffed business, we will be closed on Weds, March 8th, International Women’s Day. This is in solidarity with the Woman’s March on Washington, who are asking for a day without women. We will be open Tuesday and Thursday as normal. Have a nurturing, spend-free International Women’s Day!”

OPEN, BUT EXPRESSING SUPPORT IN OTHER WAYS

• Basil Tree Catering & Cafe (10 Fawcett St., Cambridge) — “Basil Tree Catering and Café is proud to have recently been certified as a Women Owned Business. Women comprise 50% of our total staff and more than 75% of our management. In support and recognition of ‘A Day Without A Woman,’ we will be donating half of all café sales on Wednesday March 8 to Planned Parenthood.”
• Belly Wine Bar (1 Kendall Sq., Kendall Square, Cambridge) — From co-owner Liz Vilardi, via Instagram: “This is my beat up, still editing copy of the Belly wine-by-the-glass list for Wednesday, A Day Without a Woman. We are a small woman owned business with many women integral to our operations and success, but we'll be working Wednesday. That small business part makes it necessary for us to stay open — it's a conundrum, but we'll still be sporting our red and launching this list of all women winemakers; so come see us! We will also keep this list for about 8 weeks (that's our usual run) and each week we'll give 10% of our by the glass sales to a new organization. In no particular order we'll, and you when you come by, donate to: Planned Parenthood, ACLU, Center for Reproductive Rights, NAACP, Human Rights Campaign, Southern Poverty Law Center, The Trevor Project, Natural Resources Defense Council.”
• Bon Me (Multiple locations) — “The Boston Chinese Progressive Association, a Bon Me partner, is honoring dynamic local female leaders on International Women's Day, directly following the Day Without Women Rally. Join us! Bon Me staff will be attending, and providing light food for the event. More information available here. Tickets available here. We're proud to say that over fifty percent of our supervisors and managers are women! Empowering women is a key pillar of our company mission.”
• Brass Union (70 Union Sq., Union Square, Somerville) — “Meet Kristin, our beloved bartender and manager! She's been with the company for over 6 years and we wouldn't be the same without her. Come celebrate International Women's Day with her tonight, she'll be donating a portion of her tips to our neighbors at RESPOND and we'll be matching that donation!"
• Cafe de Boston (75 Federal St., Downtown Boston) — “Women showing us this post will receive 5% off our Self-Serve Buffet today!”
• Casa Verde (711 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, Boston) — This is not specific to March 8, but: “For the month of March at Casa Verde we will be donating 100% of profits from our charity tap line to Planned Parenthood. Drink a Lord Hobo Glorious pale ale to help deliver vital reproductive health care and sex education worldwide.”
• Clear Flour Bread (178 Thorndike St., Brookline) — “Hi from Christy Timon, founder and co-owner of Clear Flour Bread. On Wed, 3/8, in celebration of International Women’s Day 100% of profits from Clear Flour Retail sales will be donated to The Center for Reproductive Rights, a nonprofit advocating for women's reproductive rights worldwide. They fight for the fundamental human rights of all women in the U.S. and across the globe.”
• Eataly Boston (800 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston) — “We apologize for any delay or disruption you might experience on Wednesday, March 8, at Eataly. From chefs to buyers to bussers, hundreds of inspirational women play key roles throughout our company. Any team member who chooses to participate in the national ‘A Day Without A Woman’ protest strike has our support.”
• EHChocolatier (561 Windsor St., B206, Somerville) — Via the newsletter: “In support of International Women's Day, EHChocolatier is donating 20% of sales to Global Fund for Women. We grew up in families where both the girls and boys were encouraged to be strong, independent, compassionate and hard working individuals. We know that not every person is so fortunate to have that support, in particular girls and women. That's why today we will donate 20% of all sales online and at our Somerville kitchen to Global Fund for Women. Global Fund for Women is one of the world's leading foundations for gender equality, standing up for the human rights of women and girls. It’s an opportunity to pay it forward for all of us here at EHChocolatier. Thank you for joining us in supporting this worthy cause.”
• Finagle a Bagel (Multiple locations) — All locations will be open tomorrow. From 6 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. (or while supplies last), anyone wearing red gets one free bagel and cream cheese. From owner Laura Trust: “Small businesses — and included in those, businesses owned by women and minorities — are the lifeblood of the economy. We are proud to celebrate International Women’s Day and A Day Without a Woman to support equality for all.”
• Honeycomb Creamery (1702 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square, Cambridge) — “Hello! I'm Kristen, the one in this photo lovingly staring at a cone of ice cream. I'm the owner, founder, and woman pretty much always behind the counter at Honeycomb Creamery. I started selling ice cream almost 2 years ago at pop ups and farmers markets, carrying heavy freezers, and making so many waffle cones I thought my wrists would snap off. My dream would not have gotten very far if not for the wonderful and hardworking women that I've met along the way who pushed me, who laughed, cried, and vented with me, who celebrated with me. In support of International Women's Day and A Day Without Women, we will be donating all of our waffle cone sales to The Center for Reproductive Rights, an organization dedicated to standing up for reproductive freedom all around the world.”
• Juliet (257 Washington St., Union Square, Somerville) — “On International Women's Day many are planning a General Strike in protest of social injustices and misogynistic policies and attitudes put forth by President Trump. Juliet's staff — 50% women who occupy 67% of management positions — has opted to stay open to create an open space for women to meet, share ideas, discuss their experiences, and make plans for the future. The absence of women from work and commerce will be drastically felt around the country on Wednesday. At Juliet, we'd like to open our doors to women and advocates who are interested in getting involved with organizing for the protection of human rights. Between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. with free coffee (suggested donation of $2, 100% to Planned Parenthood) Juliet co-owner, Katrina Jazayeri, will be hosting a salon to discuss issues and ideas about women in business and hospitality, her commitment to building sustainable careers and communities, and her unlikely path to the food industry through her education and early work in social justice and community organizing.”
• La Qchara (506 Franklin St., Melrose) — “Come in and support Hope for Our Sisters Inc. A portion of all sales will be donated to this amazing organization. A wonderful way to celebrate International Women's Day! Come on ladies show the love.”
• Longfellows Cambridge (284 Broadway, Cambridge) — “As an independent, woman-owned business, we thought about closing. We've decided to keep our doors OPEN. To close would only hurt our staff, and leave our customers hangin'. We invite you to support local businesses, and wear RED when you stop in!”
• Magic Bites Bakery (916 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington) — “MAGIC BITES BAKERY will celebrate WORLDS WOMAN DAY with our customers on 8th March 2017...We invite all woman of this community to stop by tomorrow at MAGIC BITES and enjoy our special and free WOMANS DAY cake bites. Let us celebrate to be together, to be as one and be strong...”
• Mei Mei (506 Park Dr., Audubon Circle/Fenway, Boston) — “In honor of International Women's Day and in solidarity with the 'Day Without A Woman' Strike tomorrow, we will be open to the public for lunch and highlighting the work of some of the incredible, dedicated, hard-working, forward-thinking women that make our business possible. We want to shout out just two of the phenomenal women we know who help run small businesses making excellent sustainable products — our friends Liz from Four Star Farms and Heather of The Piggery. We've chosen dishes featuring their ingredients — Sweet Corn Fritters and Lemongrass Pork Dumplings — and we'll be donating a portion of the proceeds from each to Planned Parenthood tomorrow. As a majority women-owned and -operated company, we want to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women that allow us to make and serve good, local and sustainable food every day and pursue a more just and ethical food system. Our lunch hours will be 11 to 4 p.m. and we will be closed for a private event in the evening. Thanks for your support and understanding as always!”
• PA’s Lounge (345 Somerville Ave., Union Square, Somerville) — The night’s show, organized by WEMF Radio, is being billed as “in support of International Women’s Day / A Day Without a Woman.” The line-up features female musicians and female-fronted bands: The Spots, Kat Kennedy, Tory Silver, and Victoria Rios. (Plus, WEMF is declaring March 8 a “Day With Only Women,” featuring female DJs and music by women from 7 a.m. to midnight on the radio.)
• True West (525 Massachusetts Ave., Acton) — “True West is going red today in support of International Women's Day, which here in the US has been marked as a Day Without Women. As a family owned local business we are lucky to be fueled and driven by dynamic and brilliant women. We respect and support any woman in our brewing solar system that decides to make their absence felt today. Our pints will certainly feel half empty at best should you decide to do so, but that it the point! Thank you to the women of True West and the women in our collective lives. We are stronger because of our diversity, because of you.”
• Veggie Galaxy (450 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge) — “Veggie Galaxy will be open on Wednesday, March 8. We are a small, local, Mom & Pop (50% woman!)-owned business. We aim to provide a safe and welcoming space for our staff and guests of all genders, on this day as on all days. In particular, today we recognize and are grateful for the daily contributions of those on our staff who identify as women. We will be making a contribution to the International Rescue Committee (IRC), which does excellent work with/for women and girls in crisis zones, helping to change their futures. Learn more about their work: https://www.rescue.org/article/breaking-down-barriers-women-and-girls.”
• Whole Heart Provisions (487 Cambridge St., Allston, Boston) — “We are a women owned and operated small business — and while we will remain open for the day, we'll be donating 10% of our sales to Planned Parenthood 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.” (Want to match their donation? There’s a Whole Heart t-shirt and a $50 gift card in it for you.)

ELSEWHERE IN NEW ENGLAND

• Sticky Sweet (Inside the Public Market House, 28 Monument Sq., Portland, Maine) — “As a women-owned and run business, we've thought long and hard about whether or not to close this Wednesday for the Day Without A Woman strike and International Women's Day. But we've decided to stay open and donate 100% of our profits from the day to Planned Parenthood! Blue Hill Berry Co. of Penobscot, our fabulous organic Maine wild blueberry farmers, have generously decided to join in and donate $1 for every Blueberry Sticky Rice sold on Wednesday!”