Overview
- The grocery at 33 Austin St. reopened at 10 a.m. Friday following a temporary closure earlier in the week.
- Newton Health and Human Services ordered the shutdown after MassDEP reported that stockroom demolition might have released asbestos.
- MassDEP later confirmed the stockroom was sealed and contained, and air and surface samples across the store did not detect asbestos.
- A city spokesperson said air readings were well below clearance levels, and officials emphasized no risk to the public during ongoing work.
- Abatement continues in the contained stockroom area, and the city provided a hotline and email for customers and employees with questions.