Fall River’s Miss Lizzie’s Coffee Leaving Second Street For Historic New Location

FALL RIVER (WBSM) — A Fall River business is moving from one Lizzie Borden-connected property to another, as Miss Lizzie’s Coffee has announced it is moving from its original Second Street location to the former Abbey Grill on Rock Street.

A Surprise Relocation for Miss Lizzie's Coffee

“SURPRISE!!!!!” Miss Lizzie’s Coffee posted to Facebook, announcing that June 22 was its last day of operations on Second Street. “We have decided to expand our coffee shop. We’re proud to announce we are moving into the former Abbey Grill at 100 Rock Street in Fall River. Such a beautiful location.”

The coffee shop said an opening date would be announced “very soon.”

Courtesy Frank C. Grace

Miss Lizzie’s Coffee opened on August 4, 2023 – the 131st anniversary of the murders of Andrew and Abby Borden – at 242 Second Street, the building that was the former home of Lawdwick Borden, Lizzie Borden’s great-uncle. In 1848, Lawdwick’s second wife, Eliza Darling Borden, drowned her two children Eliza Ann and Holder in a well in the building’s basement before taking her own life.

Legal Battles and Eviction Threats on Second Street

The building is also right next door to the Lizzie Borden House, and that led to controversy almost as soon as Miss Lizzie’s Coffee opened its doors. The company that owns the Lizzie Borden House, U.S. Ghost Adventures, sent Miss Lizzie’s owner Joe Pereira a cease-and-desist letter and later filed a lawsuit claiming a violation of its intellectual property for using both the Lizzie Borden name and a hatchet logo.

In October 2023, a federal judge ruled that Miss Lizzie’s Coffee could keep its name and logo, denying a requested injunction, but in March 2024, U.S. Ghost Adventures filed a brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals seeking a reversal of that decision. That appeal was denied in November 2024.

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Miss Lizzie’s Coffee continued over the next few years, refurbishing more of the interior of the building, adding lounge and event space while welcoming visitors from all over the world, including Simon Gallup, bassist for the iconic band The Cure.

However, in March 2026, the Herald News reported that Pereira was behind in rent payments for the building and was facing eviction. It is unclear if those issues have been solved as the business moves to the former Abbey Grill property.

The Deep Borden Connection to the Abbey Grill

The Abbey Grill is part of the Central Congregational Church, which was the home church for Lizzie Borden and her family. She also taught Sunday School there.

“So there’s a tremendous connection,” Miss Lizzie’s Coffee wrote.

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The property has been featured in media such as Aerosmith’s 1993 music video for the smash hit song “Cryin’” and was featured in an episode of the Destination America/Travel Channel series Haunted Towns.