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Correction:  A prior version of this story stated that Boston Urban Hospitality had sold two of its restaurants. The restaurants have been closed pending sale. The Friends of the JST regrets the misstatement.

In November and December 2025, significant progress was made on the road to opening Josiah Smith Tavern’s The Woods restaurant. This progress included successful meetings with the Planning Board, the Permanent Building Committee, and Historic New England which holds the preservation restriction on the building. Preliminary approvals and expressions of support from these groups came after the long delay in receiving a state liquor license. Preliminary approvals are necessary to confirm that the restaurant will be able to carry the number of seats needed to make a restaurant viable in the space.

“This will be the first new restaurant to open in Weston in generations, at a time when there’s real momentum to bring new life to the downtown,” said Brian Piccini, the owner/visionary for The Woods restaurant. “That’s not something we take lightly. We want to do this the right way for the town, and for the community.”

Mr. Piccini’s Boston Urban Hospitality Group announced in October 2025 that two of its well-known restaurants were being marketed for sale, and announced on January 1, 2026, that the restaurants had closed. This will free up more time for what’s next.

“With our goal to open in November 2026, and with the project entering a critical construction phase, I’m dedicating even more time and focus to Weston,” Piccini added. “As a resident of the town, this project matters deeply to me. There will always be unknowns during construction, especially in a historic building, and my priority is to be fully present to manage those details thoughtfully.”

The Woods is now in its next phase of work which includes intensive efforts by the design team and coordination among all consultants to create construction documents that include structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and kitchen-design details. This phase will continue through February, after which final approvals will be needed including from the building department, allowing the restaurant team to continue to actual construction.

For further updates on the Woods, please visit the Friends of Josiah Smith Tavern website and subscribe.

By Addison Antonoff in The Weston Observer.

Brian Piccini, CEO of Boston Urban Hospitality, the company behind The Woods restaurant slated for the Josiah Smith Tavern, told the Weston Select Board on Nov. 25 that his team has received preliminary approvals on several aspects of the project from Historic New England, allowing them to move ahead on completing construction documents.

“This is going to bring The Woods to life,” Piccini said. “The next phase of work, which includes intensive efforts by the design team and coordination among my consultants, is expected to continue through February.”

He added that the schedule will continue to change as plans develop.

Piccini has been an official part of the search for a restaurateur for the Josiah Smith Tavern since 2023, when his bid for the space was accepted. The question of what to do with the tavern has been a topic of discussion for Weston for almost 20 years. A restaurant was proposed in 2009, but restoration funds were voted down that year. The current reuse plan was proposed in 2016.

The Select Board and the Planning Board requested construction documents from Piccini, but he held off, saying if his proposals were not approved, redoing the documents would cost additional time and money.

“I tried to take the strategy of checking the big items of concern so the town and Historic New England aren’t surprised,” he told the Observer.

According to Piccini, he and his team have been able to plan the seating and bar area, but have not been able to design where refrigeration would go until Historic New England confirmed that they would likely approve the installation of an air handler outside the building.

In a November email to Town Manager Leon Gaumond and the Friends of the Josiah Smith Tavern, Historic New England confirmed they had approved several changes to the tavern, including ‘mechanical changes, such as the installation of exhaust vents’ and ‘construction of an addition and associated loading dock.’

It also stated the organization is prepared to approve the position of a makeup air unit and changes to the windows at the rear of the barn.

“Now that we know what area we have to work with, we can really start filling it with important systems,” Piccini said.

Leslie Glynn, chair of the Planning Board, told the Observer the planning process for The Woods has not followed the usual order of things.

“For them to come to us without construction documents is like, ‘close your eyes and imagine what it looks like,’” she said. “I’m very happy to hear Brian is continuing with construction documents because that’s where you find out if the vision you have can actually be built … I think we have moved past the roadblock.”

Piccini said that he hopes to have construction documents ready by February. Once necessary approvals are in place, he estimates construction will take about six months. He is targeting fall 2026 for opening.

“I’m working as diligently and as fast as I can and learning the process of the town,” Piccini said.

The Friends of the Josiah Smith Tavern are pleased to share an update on the progress of The Woods restaurant and Brian Piccini’s ongoing work to advance the project. In November, Mr. Piccini received formal design approval from Historic New England (HNE), the organization that holds the preservation deed restriction on the property. This approval marks a significant milestone and reflects months of collaboration and detailed design review.

In parallel, Mr. Piccini’s project team attended their fifth meeting with the Weston Planning Board, where they presented additional information requested by the Board. Additional coordination with HNE and the Planning Board will continue as the project moves into later phases.

Most importantly, with the support and guidance received from HNE and the Planning Board, Mr. Piccini is now proceeding with the completion of full construction documents—a major next step in bringing The Woods to life. As one measure of his commitment, he has invested approximately $163,000 to date, primarily in legal and professional design services. This next phase of work—which includes intensive efforts by the design team and coordination among all consultants—is expected to continue through February. The project team is actively refining the schedule to accommodate input from structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and kitchen-design specialists.

The Friends remain encouraged by the continued progress and by Mr. Piccini’s commitment, investment, and persistence. Each step moves the Tavern closer to opening its doors as a welcoming restaurant and a vibrant gathering place for Weston.

We are grateful for the community’s ongoing support and look forward to sharing future updates as work continues.

About the Friends of the Josiah Smith Tavern

The Friends of the Josiah Smith Tavern was selected by the Town of Weston to oversee the management and support the long-term preservation and activation of the property.

The Weston Observer’s November 3^rd article reported on the October Select Board meeting and Brian Piccini’s plans to open The Woods restaurant in the Josiah Smith Tavern. The article noted Select Board member Lise Revers’ concern with the project’s timeline and requests to review Mr. Piccini’s financials.

Mr. Piccini, a Weston resident, explained his deep commitment to the project and the reasons for selling two of his other restaurants. He also noted that the timeline was significantly delayed since the liquor license had to be reissued by the State Legislature. Mr. Piccini devoted significant time and effort advocating with the State Legislature and the Governor—further demonstrating his commitment to realizing the Town’s vision for the Josiah Smith Tavern.

Since then, Mr. Piccini has made substantial progress in obtaining design approvals from Historic New England, which holds the preservation deed restriction, and Weston’s Planning Board, Historical Commission, and Permanent Building Committee. These approvals have a direct impact on the restaurant’s design and the development of construction documents and cost estimates.

Jay Valenta, President of the Friends of Josiah Smith Tavern, clarified that the Friends were established by the Town to oversee management of the historic property, including financial negations with tenants, enabling the Town to step back from direct oversight of the property. As part of their process to select a restaurant operator, the Friends conducted thorough due diligence on Mr. Piccini’s financials. Three Weston nonprofits lease space in the Tavern and rent from the restaurant is expected to support the building’s ongoing operations.

The Friends are deeply grateful for the community’s ongoing support of The Woods and for Mr. Piccini’s dedication, investment, and vision. We remain confident he has the commitment and capability to make this restaurant a vibrant destination and gathering place for Weston for years to come.

Weston’s highly anticipated new restaurant, The Woods, is making significant progress with opening projected for early 2026. Located in the historic Josiah Smith Tavern, The Woods will offer a unique dining experience with a strong focus on sustainability, celebrating Weston’s rich history and natural surroundings.

The Woods’ owner, Brian Piccini, was on hand for Celebrate Weston on Saturday, May 17 to meet residents, answer questions and present new renderings of the restaurant (attached). Brian and his staff also handed out individual tree saplings to local families to promote the restaurant’s sustainability mission. “We are committed to bringing a vibrant and welcoming restaurant to our community,” said Brian Piccini, Weston resident and owner of Boston Urban Hospitality. “Our goal is to offer a unique dining experience that not only celebrates the town’s history but also incorporates elements of the surrounding nature, all while serving delicious, sustainably-sourced farm-and-sea-to-table cuisine.”

The Town issued the final liquor license to Urban Hospitality (BUH) in March, and BUH is fully engaged finalizing design and construction documents to obtain required approvals from Town and community boards. In addition, Historic New England, who holds a historic deed restriction on the JST, must approve modifications to the building.

Further details regarding The Woods’ official opening date, special events, and menu will be shared in the coming months. In the meantime, the community is invited to follow The Woods for ongoing updates and sneak peeks.

The Friends of Josiah Smith Tavern is excited to announce that the State Alcohol Beverage Control Commission (ABCC) has issued final approval of the liquor license for the Josiah Smith Tavern.

Boston Urban Hospitality remains committed to opening a restaurant in the Tavern and is looking forward to beginning construction this year and opening the restaurant in 2026.

Recent events: On March 6, the Golden Ball Tavern and the Josiah Smith Tavern sponsored a presentation “Taverns in the News: 1775” by Dr. Joseph Adelman in the Josiah Smith Tavern Ballroom. Attendees enjoyed libations provided by the Winter Hill Brewery in the original Tap Room after the talk. Thank you to the Golden Ball Tavern for this first of its kind collaboration between the two Weston taverns.

The trees and flowers are blooming and it is time for an update.  The month of May brings many events to the Josiah Smith Tavern.  Please join us for all of them!

Saturday, May 11th

• Garden Cleanup 10 am-noon.  Please come, with or without garden gloves, meet friends and help tidy up our beautiful gardens.  Brothers Marketplace will supply food and beverages.
• Spring Fling & Car Wash 10 am-2 pm.  This is hosted by Weston High School with lots of fun activities on the Town Green.  Get your car washed by Weston students in the Josiah Smith Tavern parking lot!  All money raised goes to Camp No Limits, a summer camp for kids with limb loss and differences.

CELEBRATE WESTON!
Saturday, May 18th, 11 am-3 pm

• Brian Piccini, Weston resident and chosen restaurateur, is delighted to participate in Celebrate Weston!  He and his team members will be at the Josiah Smith Tavern to meet and greet, with a temporary courtyard patio set up serving libations.
• Weston Historical Society on the 1st floor of the JST has two openings:  “Weston Then and Now” an exhibit of historic and contemporary photographs of the Town Center showing changes over time, including outstanding images by photographer Nicole Mordecai.  And “The Jones Family at Home” an exhibit of furniture, decorative arts, and photographs belonging to three generations of the Jones family, who occupied what is now the Josiah Smith Tavern until 1950.

Wednesday, May 22nd, 7:30 pm

• Weston Historical Society Book Club Join WHS and Eric Schultz for a discussion of his book King Philip’s War: A History and Legacy of America’s Forgotten Conflict, which he co-authored with Michael Touglas.

Regarding the restaurant, Brian Piccini says this:  “All of the build out progress is still on paper or in the planning process.  We are busy working with Historic New England finalizing their application and review process. We’ve started our construction bid documents.  We’ve hired our full design team of architects and engineers.  They are working together to make sure our use and all the equipment, fixtures, and furnishings needed are suitable for the building and its current MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) systems”

The Friends of Josiah Smith Tavern have remained on task during the holidays!  We put out a request for restaurant proposals in the fall and had flood of submissions.  The week before Thanksgiving we used the beautiful Reading Room at the Arts and Innovation Center to interview and view presentations by several outstanding candidates.

Our board selected Boston Urban Hospitality, owned by Weston resident Brian Piccini!  Brian has a stellar reputation in the culinary world and his restaurants have become the anchors of their communities.  You may have already enjoyed one of his signature establishments: Deuxave in Back Bay,  dbar in Dorchester or Boston Chops in Downtown Crossing and the South End.

To learn more, please attend the presentation by the Friends of the Josiah Smith Tavern and Brian Piccini, at the Weston Select Board Zoom meeting on Tuesday, January 9th.  It is on the agenda for 8 pm.

The Weston Community League hosted a Friendsgiving in November.  It was the first time the Ballroom was used for its original intent in decades!  The lights were aglow and decorations spectacular.  Many in attendance clearly enjoyed putting on their finest and bringing their best dishes to share.  The food was overflowing and festivities lasted into the night.  My husband, driving by on his way home from work, looked up from the road and seeing all the second floor windows lit, said “it looked like Fezziwig’s party from Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.”  Let’s hope this was the first of many.

And this in from Pam Fox, President of the Weston Historical Society :

We just finished moving our file cabinets, document boxes, and books to Rooms 103 and 104, which we plan to use as a reading room and place for our volunteer work on Tuesday mornings. Rooms 101 and 102 are going to be used for exhibits. For now, we are leaving the Jones family exhibit up, as we don’t have the manpower to do the move plus a new exhibit.

Michael Cooper, who is building our bookshelves, will be finishing up. Michael constructed the shelves as a volunteer, with Weston Historical Society paying for materials. They had to be custom made because there are so many vents, windows, pipes, etc. to avoid.

There is still a lot of work to do, so no timetable for having the JST rooms open for our regular work hours or events.