Refuge Cafe Has Closed for Real This Time

Refuge Cafe in Allston has finally, actually shuttered, with a “closed” sign hung on the front door providing confirmation. The news is not entirely unexpected: Rumors emerged in the fall of 2016 that the cafe intended to close, though it later reversed course and stayed open.

More recently, a series of (increasingly) bizarre posts on the cafe’s Facebook page hinted that its days slinging lattes and breakfast sandwiches might be numbered. Those posts also hinted that humankind’s days might be numbered, and that said species’ demise would come at the hands (er, metal hands) of machines equipped with artificial intelligence. (The posts are written in the first person, so perhaps Refuge Cafe itself has become sentient?)

Terrence B. Doyle/Eater

Paranoia of an AI takeover, coupled with past rumors, might suggest that the cafe’s closure might just be farce. The “closed” sign, the locked door, and the whole zero employees or customers inside thing indicate otherwise.

R.I.P. Refuge Cafe. May the machines enjoy the space should they destroy us all.

• Refuge Cafe in Allston Has Closed [BRT]
• Refuge Cafe in Allston Is Not Actually Closed [EBOS]