Sweet Tomatoes expected to reopen this summer with new barriers

NEWTON, Mass. — A West Newton pizza shop will reopen this summer with new safety measures after a car crashed through the storefront in March, killing two people.

Seven others, including the driver, were hospitalized after the vehicle sped through a red light, veered across the Washington Street sidewalk and barreled through Sweet Tomatoes Pizza.

“A terrible tragedy, it was really something that was felt citywide,” said Aaron Goldman, Director of Performance Management in the Newton Mayor's Office. “They're hoping to open in July, and we're doing everything we can to help them reach that goal."

The owners of the business asked the city to add more bollards, or concrete barriers, across the bare stretch of sidewalk where the SUV traveled.

“This was a really shocking occurrence, a really kind of a freak accident,” Goldman said. "We want to make sure that the area is safe and that we're doing everything we can to prevent another tragedy like the one that happened in March."

Goldman urges customers to go back to the restaurant once it opens, to support the owners who have lost months of business.

"I'm really glad the city is responding in that way,” customer Melissa Powell said. "I've been here before. I'll be back, absolutely. We'll welcome them back."

Cox Media Group