Gospel-based coffeehouse wants to open third outlet, in East Boston

The Well, a coffeehouse that sprang from an East Boston church and which currently has shops at South Station and on State Street downtown, hopes to open a coffeehouse in East Boston's Central Square.

The Zoning Board of Appeal this week unanimously approved the Well's plans for a coffeehouse with live entertainment at 62 William C. Kelly Square. The shop would be open six days a week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and closed on Sundays so it can be used for church services.

The shop, which will also need food-serving and entertainment licenses from the city, would be a venue for local musicians, its attorney, Richard Lynds, told the board at a hearing on Tuesday.

The exact seating capacity will be determined by city inspectors, but manager Matthew Love said he's estimating a capacity of 78 people.

The Well's name springs from the importance of wells in the Bible, in particular a story in John about Jesus's conversations with a Samaritan woman at a well:

Today, coffee houses can be considered the modern day well. In the Bible wells served as a place to get water, socialize with others, have public meetings, listen to new ideas, hear the latest news, make public announcements, attract a crowd, serve needs, watch people and listen to prophets. The well was often at the center of the community which made it a very convenient place for public gatherings. Since all people needed water, the well served as a life source for the entire town.