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Route 1 News – NMTW Community Credit Union Danvers

Route One Saugus MA — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:04:32 +0000

Is your money shrinking because of increased fees?

Are you unhappy with your bank? While banks continue to raise their fees by up to 50% on financial products, there has never been a better time to join NMTW Community Credit Union. We understand your frustration with increasing fees and that it’s a time when many people are re-evaluating their banking relationships, which you should.

“I would like to personally invite everyone to bring in their current statements and checks and we will pay up to $30* of their bank fees when they sign up for any one of our checking accounts,” exclaimed NMTW Community Credit Union President and CEO Kenneth Del Rossi. “In what has been an unprecedented and unstable financial climate, we have been and will continue to be a solid financial resource for our members and our communities to rely on.”

Founded in 1922, NMTW Community Credit Union is strong and secure. We take great pride in the ways that we can help our members protect and maximize their financial resources and opportunities.

NMTW membership is open to anyone who lives, works, or attends school in Middlesex or Essex counties in Massachusetts, several cities and towns within Norfolk and Worcester counties in Massachusetts, and Rockingham and Hillsborough counties in New Hampshire.

We invite you to stop by any one of our conveniently located branches in Danvers, Framingham, Lowell, or Haverhill (coming soon), visit www.NMTW.org, or call 1-800-942-9575 to learn more about the value-added products and services that NMTW Community Credit Union offers.

* Must open a checking account with $1 minimum balance and debit card and bring in checks and 3 months most recent bank statements. Refund up to $30 will be deposited at account opening and available after 30 days. May be subject to tax reporting. Refund will be forfeited if account is closed within 30 days. Only monthly maintenance fees and ATM fees qualify. Student/Teen and Benefit checking accounts earn .25% APY; Advantage checking earns .10% APY for balances under $2500 and .10%-1.23% APY for balances over $2500; Variable Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective as of April 1, 2010. Fees may reduce earnings. Limited time offer. Membership required.

Contact Us By Phone

Danvers Member Value Center

110 Newbury Street (Route One) Danvers, Massachusetts
Toll free 800-942-9575

Monday through Thursday: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
Friday: 8:00 am to 6:30 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Please send an email to info@nmtwcu.org.

Herb Chambers Lynnfield – Flagship Motorcars – A Herb Chambers Company

Route One Saugus MA — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 04:45:02 +0000

Flagship Motorcars – Herb Chambers Mercedes-Benz and smart center, Route One Lynnfield, MA

Welcome to Flagship Motorcars, New England’s choice for Mercedes-Benz automobiles.

At Flagship Motorcars, we understand that there’s a special feeling sitting in the driver’s seat of a Mercedes-Benz and looking down the hood at the three-pointed star at the end. The three points of the star are meant to symbolize land, sea and air. But it’s also an emblem that stands for engineering integrity and a history that no other auto maker can match.

It serves to remind you that Mercedes-Benz cars have evolved through the ages rather than being radically altered to suit prevailing fads and fashion.

At Flagship Motorcars, our name symbolizes unparalleled service, follow-up, and value.

We hope to see you soon!

Mark Hoch
General Manager
mhoch@herbchambers.com

Flagship Motorcars in Lynnfield Massachusetts

Flagship Motorcars is conveniently located in Lynnfield Massachusetts, just minutes away from Boston, Boylston, Providence, Westwood, Haverhill, Hyannis, Boylston, Worcester, Westboro, Westborough, Peabody, Norwood, Northborough, Springfield, Framingham and Danvers as well as all of New England. Flagship Motorcars has the areas largest selection of Mercedes Benz and certified preowned vehicles from cars and trucks to vans and SUVs.

Mercedes Benz Vehicles on the North Shore

If you are looking to buy a new or used vehicle and need financing, Flagship Motorcars is the dealer for you. Our finance team can assist you with securing affordable options on any new Mercedes Benz B Class, C Class Sedan, CL S63 AMG, CL Class Coupe, CLK550 Coupe, CLK Class Convertible, CLK Class Black Series Coupe, CLS Class, E550, E Class Sedan, E 63 AMG Sedan, E Class Wagon, E63 AMG Wagon, G Class, G 55 AMG, GL320 CDI, GL550, ML 320, M Class, R63 AMG, R Class, S550 Sedan, S600 Sedan, S63 AMG, SL Class Roadster, SL 550 Anniversary Edition, SLK Class Roadster or SLR McLaren.

In the years we have been in business our clients have come from communities like Boston, Boylston, Providence, Westwood, Haverhill, Hyannis, Boylston, Worcester, Westboro, Westborough, Peabody, Norwood, Northborough, Springfield, Framingham and Danvers as well as all of New England.

Best of all, Flagship Motorcars has a great staff on hand to assist you with your all of your needs when it comes to Mercedes Benz parts, factory service and OEM accessories for your vehicle.

Visit our showroom today at:

Flagship Motorcars
385 Broadway, Route 1 North
Lynnfield, Massachusetts 01940

Flagship Motorcars in Lynnfield Massachusetts

smart center Route One Lynnfield MA – Herb Chambers

BOSTON Massachusetts area Smart Cars

Smart Car enthusiasts in the BOSTON Massachusetts area have helped keep Smart Cars one of the most popular makes on the road today.

Whether you are a fan of the Smart Car Coupe or Smart Car Cabriolet, Herb Chambers Smart Car in Somerville and Lynnfield Massachusetts has the inventory you’re looking for.

Route One News – Fat Cactus Route 1 Lynnfield

Route One Saugus MA — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:09:17 +0000

Fat Cactus Route 1 Lynnfield moves in after Lucille’s moves on

by Alix Roy – Article Courtesy of: WeeklyNews.net

LYNNFIELD – The Board of Selectmen approved a handful of licenses on Monday for restaurant newcomer Fat Cactus, which will soon become the third restaurant in so many years to occupy the lot at 215 Broadway, former home of Lucille’s Fine Chicken and the Naked Fish Restaurant.

Fat Cactus was touted as an “authentic Mexican family-style restaurant” by owner Mark Colangelo, who also owns the nearby Bostonville Grille with his wife Karen. The new restaurant will include a bar area and two back rooms with three pool tables and 10 video games for children. Occasional entertainment could include a mariachi band, but Colangelo said the restaurant would not be a venue for loud music.

“As far as rock and roll in the bar area, that’s not the setting that we’re looking for,” he said. “We expect there to be a lot of children in the restaurant.”

Attorney Michael McCarthy of Wakefield represented the Colangelos during Monday’s public hearing, stressing the couple’s track record as successful restaurant owners and pointing to the Bostonville Grille as a venue that gives back to the community.

“They’re good citizens and they’re good neighbors,” he said, listing off the restaurant’s contributions to little league teams and charitable organizations.

McCarthy also pointed out that Fat Cactus would be taking over a lot that is currently vacant in a down economy, generating an estimated 50 new jobs.

“Obviously it will be good for the tax base,” he said.

The board unanimously approved the transfer of liquor license from Naked Restaurants, Inc. to the Fat Cactus and granted separate licenses for pool tables, video games, food service and entertainment on weekdays and on Sundays after 1 p.m.

The tentative operating hours for the establishment will be weekdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 1:30 a.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. until 1:30 a.m. A Mexican buffet brunch is planned for Sunday mornings. As is the case at Bostonville Grille, the Fat Cactus will be allowed to serve alcohol until 1 a.m. every night and all of the restaurant’s servers will be TIPS certified. Bostonville Grille manager Matthew Greer will be overseeing operations at the Fat Cactus as well, said Colangelo, and neighbors can rest easy when it comes to late night loitering.

“We get them right out of there when it’s time to go,” he said.

Route One Saugus News – Santarpios Pizza Coming to ROUTE ONE!

Route One Saugus MA — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:01:54 +0000

Santarpio’s World Famous Pizza Coming to Route One Peabody. It’s OFFICIAL!

Article Courtesy of: The Boston Herald

Santarpio’s, the next generation

It’s official.

Old school East Boston pizza institution Santarpio’s is expanding after 107 years.

The fourth generation of Santarpio’s plans to open, in Peabody by May, a second location of the perennial “Best of Boston” winner.

Their company won bankruptcy court approval on Wednesday to purchase the former Bennigan’s on Route 1 North for $1.8 million.

The 300-seat restaurant will be twice the size of the original.

Siblings Carla, Joia and Frank Santarpio have wanted to expand for a while.

“My father retired five years ago, and we’ve been planning to do something since then,” Carla Santarpio said.

The family will replicate what’s made them a success in East Boston since 1903 — first as a bakery and then as a pizza joint — and landed them on GQ magazine’s list of the top 25 pizza places in America last year.

“There are four siblings and some cousins, and we’re going to basically do everything,” Santarpio said. “We make our own dough, we cut our own meat and we make our own sausages.”

The company has purchased a liquor license for the Peabody location, but needs city approval.

“I’m excited,” Santarpio said. “We have six kids in our family. They’re all teenagers and they’re coming to work.

The fifth generation is ready.”

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Santarpios Pizza on Route One??? No Way!

There’s an old joke on the North Shore. It’s the pizza directions joke.

“Hey buddy where do get a good pizza around here?” Anthony replies: “Go past the Revere House of Pizza, then pass Domino’s Pizza and take a right at the end of Broadway, when you see the big church on the left take a left, pass Maggio’s and Billy Tse’s and keep going till ya see the water, then ask around for Bianchi’s Pizza.” The same is true for Everett, Malden, Saugus, Wakefield and Medford. We all use pizza parlors as landmarks. Route One has Prince and Polcari’s (Pizzeria Regina) and now Santarpios.

Route One Saugus News has heard that the old Bennigans Peabody Route 1 North Bound location is soon to be pizza lovers heaven. Santarpios Route One Peabody!

The pizza ovens are on the way! For pizza lovers all over the North Shore, Boston and the WORLD this is BIG NEWS.

The sometimes hard to find original Santarpios circa 1903 location in East Boston has always needed a suburban location. What better place than on Route One?!

Put me on the guest list for the first ever Route One Pizza Crawl! Yum! Last stop Santarpios. Make mine with onions, a double lamby bamby on the side, extra peppers and a bottle of chantay.

Follow the information trail we found online below, comment and tell us what you think!

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Santarpio’s Pizza May Open a Second Location in Peabody

Courtesy of: http://bostonrestaurants.blogspot.com/2009/12/santarpios-pizza-may-open-second.html

A classic old-school pizza joint in East Boston might soon have a second location.

According to both The Hubster and Grub Street Boston, Santarpio’s Pizza is looking at possibly moving into the old Bennigan’s spot on Route 1 in Peabody (the Bennigan’s in Peabody closed last year after the chain filed for bankruptcy). The Hubster states that if all goes as planned, the new Santarpio’s might open by March of 2010, though Grub Street Boston mentions that the new Peabody location won’t be a sure thing until the middle of December.

Santarpio’s first opened as a bakery in East Boston more than a hundred years ago, with the pizzeria opening in the 1930s. The Chelsea Street restaurant and bar has become a local institution over the years, and is considered by many to have the best pizza in the Greater Boston area. In addition to pizza, Santarpio’s also offers sausage and lamb skewers, as well as beer and wine.

For more information on the possible opening of a second Santarpio’s in Peabody, please go to The Hubster and Grub Street Boston links below.

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Santarpio’s North?

Courtesy of: http://www.blogcatalog.com/search.frame.php?term=bennigan\%27s&id=15ce350644250f8365b455770ec378d5

Until now, the legendary Santarpio’s name has been safeguarded: no other locations and no retail products.

It seems, however, that the family has purchased the site of the former Bennigan’s on Route 1 in Peabody and they intend to call the new place Santarpio’s.

After renovations, the eatery is scheduled to open in March. It’s unclear so far how similar the menu will be to the landmark East Boston restaurant.

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Santarpio’s Eyes Peabody

Courtesy of: http://boston.grubstreet.com/2009/11/santarpios_eyes_peabody.html

Eastie stalwart Santarpio’s Pizza is eyeing a second location in Peabody, reports The Hubster. The second outpost would open in the former Bennigan’s on Route 1.

Santarpio’s Lenny Timpone tells us that the opening won’t be definite until mid-December, so suburban pizza, sausage, and lamb enthusiasts should keep their fingers crossed until then.

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Frank Santarpio, a fourth generation pizza chef, removes an extra cheese and pepperoni pizza from the oven at Santarpio’s Pizza. (Wiqan Ang)

Putting toppings at bottom adds to flavor of Santarpio’s

By Jonathan Levitt, Globe Correspondent

Article Courtesy of: The Boston Globe

Santarpio’s customers settle into the blue vinyl booths and feast on barbecue and pizza — thin and crisp and served on battered metal trays — every day, from noon to midnight. You can hear hoarse laughter from the regulars at the bar, some couples hum to Jimmy Roselli records on the jukebox, and neighborhood cops come in through the back door to pick up a few pies to go. The lights are dim, the ceilings low, and the walls covered with autographed photographs and classic fight posters.

The East Boston pizza house opened for business in 1903. Three Santarpio brothers came from Naples and began with a bread bakery. “They cooked for princes in Italy and had about a dozen kids each,” says Lennie Timpone, 61, whose mother was a Santarpio, and who has worked here all his life.

These days fourth – generation sisters Carla Santarpio, 40, and Joia Santarpio, 33, and their 41-year old brother, Frank, run the place. Their dad, Frank Santarpio, and their older brother, Joseph Santarpio, retired two years ago and the younger siblings took over. “Joia is my godchild,” says Timpone. “Now she’s my boss.”

The menu is simple: pizza, bread, and barbecue. Most days the sisters work the pizza oven, wait tables, and take phone orders. Frank goes back and forth between the bar and the oven, and Timpone bartends and sees to the back room butcher shop. He brews big pots of Maxwell House, rests his wristwatch and glasses on the meat grinder, switches on his little radio (“This time of year it’s just Christmas songs,” he says), and then spends hours breaking down pork butts and lamb forequarters for the barbecue skewers.

Every morning for 30 years, baker Glenn Carlton has baked the bread and mixed the pizza dough. The sisters come in around 9 and take over. “The dough is easy, it’s just flour, water, yeast, and salt,” says Carla. On a typical day they make up to 300 pies. For every pizza they pull a floppy ball of dough out of the proofer, press it down flat on the counter and stretch it hand over hand over hand until it’s thin and round.

“Throwing the dough up in the air would just be all for show,” says Carla.

They lay the discs of stretched dough, two at a time, on a wooden peel dusted with coarse cornmeal. They sprinkle on the toppings first, then the cheese (3 types of mozzarella mixed together) and finally the sauce.

“Most places do the exact opposite, but we think the toppings cook better on the bottom,” says Carla. The sauce is just crushed tomatoes — “They’re the good ones, the same tomatoes that we put in the gravy at our Sunday night dinners at home,” says Carla — and dried herbs reduced together for a few hours over a low flame.

Timpone says that people are always asking him for the sauce’s secret ingredient. “When I tell them how simple it is , they think I’m lying,” he says.

To finish, the pies get a drizzle of olive oil from an old Smirnoff Vodka bottle, then about 10 minutes in the 550-degree oven. Santarpio’s had a brick pizza oven but got rid of it about 50 years ago. They’re now on their second gas- powered Reed revolving tray oven from Kansas City. It has five shelves and can hold 40 pizzas at a time. “It’s as hot as we need it to be, and I cook pizza just the way I like them — nice and crunchy,” says Joia.

During the day, the women take turns working the pizza station, then hand it over to various long time bakers.

Whenever he has a chance, Timpone likes to get in front of the oven. “You never forget how to do it,” he says. “I’ve been doing this since I was a little boy.”

The neighborhood has changed a lot over the past few decades. “I remember when the whole area here used to be all coldwater flats and all the old ladies would get big blocks of ice delivered in sawdust,” says Timpone. “Now the neighborhood people are gone, those days are gone. We’re still crazy busy on the weekends and holidays but during the week it’s quieter than it was in the old days.”

Joia studied fashion design at Mount Ida College and Carla has a business degree from Suffolk University. Neither sister intended to work at Santarpio’s full time. “My father never wanted this for us,” says Joia. “It started as a summer job and something to do on the weekends, but that was 15 years ago. I’d be a fool to leave though. I make my own hours and I see my family every day. We’re all like family here. If someone has a baby it’s a big deal. If some one gets sick it’s a big deal. I know most people don’t have that at work. This place feels like home to us. It’s what we know.”

Santarpio’s, 113 Chelsea St., East Boston, 617-567-9871, santarpiospizza.com.
© Copyright 2006 Globe Newspaper Company.

Prince Pizza Route One Saugus MA

Route One Saugus MA — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:05:24 +0000

Prince Pizza Route One Saugus – Our Story

CLICK HERE for the OFFICIAL Prince Pizzeria Website!

JFK was our young new president. Elvis, Roy Orbison and Patsy Kline topped the charts. A large pizza cost a buck. WWII Veteran Arthur Castraberti had a wife, three young children, a good education and a great job with Prince Spaghetti in Lowell, MA.

The year was 1961 and Arthur’s life was about to change.

Prince Spaghetti owned a 12 seat drive-in pizza stand and “spaghetti house” in Saugus—often referred to as an Italian Howard Johnson’s. It was losing money. Prince’s president thought Arthur could turn it around. He had no idea just how right he was. But Arthur was not interested in management by committee. He wanted to own the place.

Arthur and Prince made a deal. No money down, no interest. Arthur had to make good on the failed business’ debts in 10 years and the place was his.

“I had never been in a restaurant kitchen until I bought one,” says Arthur. “When I walked in, I saw two employees—a waitress in the corner reading, and a cook flat on his back asleep. I introduced myself and fired them both. ’But how will you run the place without us?’ they protested. ‘Oh, a great deal better, I imagine.’“

Arthur called his 65 year old father, Oreste. “You know how to make sauce, don’t you pop? Well, I could use your help.” Oreste, a talented cook, worked with Arthur to develop the original Prince Sauce that has made them famous today.

Sales climbed, but they were not enough to cover the debt. “I owed more than I ever thought I could pay. That was my incentive to work harder,” says Arthur. With a family to support and a mortgage every month, Arthur needed income and the restaurant did not make enough for him to draw a salary. So Arthur taught school. Every weekday, he would race from school to the restaurant and work until closing. Weekends he just worked at the restaurant. There were no employees. “It was a terrible time,” he laughs today.

After five long years of tremendously hard work, Arthur began to sense some progress. “I cleaned up the place; gave it heart.” Arthur had transformed Prince into a warm family restaurant where people can relax. He gave huge discounts to the Little League teams, who considered Prince their second home. Seniors received a free meal on Arthur’s parents’ birthdays—a tradition still practiced today.

“I sowed the seeds of my success when I could least afford it,” remembers Arthur fondly. “I took in the kids and the seniors and now those kids come back with their own families and their own teams.”

A few years later, Arthur had finally saved enough money to expand the restaurant. “Every part of this building is an appendage of my body,” asserts Arthur today. “Every expansion was paid for in cash. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

After several expansions over a 10 year period, Prince boasted a large dining room and three function rooms. Then in 1978, Prince added the highly successful 175 seat Giggles Comedy Club, which is now sold out almost every week. Prince Restaurant currently offers seating for about 700 people.

For 44 years, while growing Prince Restaurant into a legendary icon, Arthur Castraberti became known as one of the Boston Area’s most successful restaurateurs. During that time, he poured his heart into the community. He became president of the Route 1 Business Association, founded the Saugus Chamber of Commerce and supported dozens of charities including the Little Leagues, local schools, the Neurofibromatosis and Make a Wish Foundations and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

According to the Boston Globe, Arthur Castraberti is “is one of the visionary entrepreneurs who built Route 1 as we know and love it.”

In 2005, Arthur’s son, Steven, took over ownership of Prince Pizzeria and runs it with his wife, Trisha, who oversees finance, marketing and recently redesigned the Comedy Club and function Rooms.

Steven and Trisha are both active in the community, supporting schools, sports teams and charities. Trisha serves on the North Shore Music Theatre Board of Trustees and was nominated for the honor of 2007 North of Boston Businesswoman of the Year.

Arthur is still actively involved, dividing his time between Gloucester, MA and Sarasota Florida, where he volunteers at in the Cardiac Rehab unit of Doctor’s Hospital.

“Steven is doing an excellent job,” says Arthur Castraberti, “We’re just a family business. We worked hard. We still work hard. We live a good life and don’t worry about what the competition does. We focus on what we do.”

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Billy Costa Reviews Prince Pizzeria Route 1 Saugus on T.V. Diner!

Prince Pizzeria has received numerous awards, including being voted Best Pizza of the North Shore and is often called, “one of our favorite family-style restaurants in New England,” as VisitNewEngland.com puts it. The Phantom Gourmet says Prince is “ideal for feeding a family or a party.”

Don’t take their word for it. Come in and see for yourself. You’ll feel part of the family in no time.

Kowloon Bob Wong – URGENT – Say NO to the Rollback!

Route One Saugus MA — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:57:28 +0000

Kowloon – An Urgent Message to the Town of Saugus

From the Kowloon Restaurant Owners & Employees

Please Say NO to the Rollback!!! Call your Selectmen Now: 781-231-4124

Why this Message:

This is a movement by a group of residents to have operating hours of Liquor License holders’ rollback to 1 am.
This would be Absolutely Devastating to our businesses and the livelihood of our employees.
We a Family Owned, independent restaurant that has been in Saugus 59 years!!!! (Only Kowloon and Prince are owned by the original families) Longer than most residents have lived in Saugus.
Using a broad stroke and blanket approach to solve isolated problems is not FAIR!

We can’t afford to lose more hours!

A few years ago… we had already suffered a 10% Loss in Sales after a 2 hour rollback of our hours from 3:30 to 1:30 am! And we will lose another 10% if our hours are cut again.

We can’t and our employees can’t afford to lost anymore income

Although other restaurants such as McDonald’s, Dunkin Donuts, and I-Hop are allowed to stay open (24 Hours!)… Because we are a liquor license holder… we have to force all of our customers out of the building by 2:00 am.

Even though NO LIQOUR is served after 2:00 am we are not allowed to sell food or even take-out orders after that hour! And our doors have to be locked at 1:15 am so no new customers can enter.

Do you know what impact this new rollback will have on us? (As well as others)

If the rollback succeeds we will have to FORCE all of our customers out of the building by 1:00 am.
That means we must lock our doors at 12:15 (just after midnight) So that any new customers will be out in time!!!
We do over 10% of food and beverage business after MIDNIGHT!

List of some people we will lose:

We attract a well behaved crowd looking for a place to go, why else would parents form all over, drop off their school aged children after a school dance, prom, drama club play, or other reasons (all after midnight!!!)
We attract workers leaving their late night jobs. Such as airline employees, other restaurant employees, hospital workers and many others.
We attract people coming back after a show, a movie or sporting event looking for a late night snack or meal.
We also attract numerous celebrities. Such as professional wrestlers, (70 of them recently… after their event)
Red Sox owner John Henry and actor Don Wahlberg have stopped by after a concert.
Professional athletes come in after the game.
All of these people need and want a place to go after MIDNIGHT.
We have already lost a large portion of these customers from the last rollback and now we stand to lose EVEN MORE!!!

Why do this to us AGAIN?

We are in a terrible recession and business is already down!!!
It’s ironic that the town voted to increase local meals tax to 7% there by receiving ¾% in local aid to help solve our fiscal crisis during this very BAD ECONOMY.
Our costs are constantly RISING! (as everyone’s are!)
- The Kowloon has not laid off a single person (we have over 250 employees that depend on us!)
- Mandatory Health Insurance has increased our costs!
- Water and Sewer rates increased. We now pay over $300,000 yearly.
- Real Estate Tax – approximately $280,000 yearly.
- Gas and Electric – over $350,000 yearly.

People do not flock to us from other towns for last call!!! We lock our doors at 1:15 am – and they would never make it in time.

We are good citizens!

We feel we have been good partners in the community and will always give back.
Does the majority of the community want to do this to us??? Or is it only the wish of a few? And Why?
We strongly urge many of the people involved with various organizations in town, to let our leaders know you support us. We could use your voice, phone calls to you selectmen, and help!!!

The Solution:

So before you decide on creating a one-size fits all remedy please remember you do have alternative.

You can treat each establishment individually. If there is a pattern of abuse or problem the town can take action on each separately.

Our town leaders should be aware that they do have alternatives, and obligations to not only take care of its problems but also to let Good Business and Community Partners thrive and succeed.

We have been here 59 years and have been loyal and hopefully good for the town… and it would be EXTREMELY unfair (again!) for a few people in Saugus to be able to judge all liquor license holders the same. We are not!

Respectfully on behalf of the Wong family and our employees,

- Bob Wong

Route 1 News – $2 Million Bel-Aire Diner Revival Project

Route One Saugus MA — Thu, 21 May 2009 18:51:40 +0000

Article Courtesy of: The Boston Globe

PEABODY – Closed for three years, Bel-Aire Diner could become the star of a $2 million project to make an old truck stop once again a must-stop on Route 1.

The vintage diner, built in 1952, would be refurbished and moved on the 3.6-acre site, where a new building will house a gas station and a 24-hour convenience store. The project is the first proposed since industrial zoning was changed to allow for retail stores and restaurants to open on the two-lane roadway.

“A truck stop needs to be able to take advantage of a highway,’’ said John Kallas, 51, a second-generation owner who runs a Best gas station on the site. “The diner will be our centerpiece.’’

The new Bel-Aire would be a welcome change for the northern corridor of Route 1 in Peabody and Danvers. With a few exceptions, such as the new Sonic burger joint and Latitude sports club in Peabody, and DiLuigi’s Sausage Co. in Danvers, most major developments have stalled in the stubborn economy. “Very few people out there now are taking risks,’’ noted David Ankeles, a Peabody lawyer whose clients include the Kallas family.

A lack of financing scuttled plans for an 80,000-square-foot family entertainment center proposed for the closed Country Side Motel site in Peabody. Farther south, a Starbucks and a small retail strip was never built at a former Burger King site. Foreclosure claimed a 36,000-square-foot office building that once housed East West Mortgage, which moved to Worcester. The property, including old cubicles, desks, and chairs, is for sale for $3.5 million by Wainwright Bank of Boston.

On the north side, the Carriage House Motel remains for sale, after a proposal for a soccer facility never got going. Bennigan’s restaurant is still empty, months after its parent company filed for bankruptcy, although the property is said to be under agreement. In Danvers, Tequilas restaurant, a popular dance spot, is for sale for $1.8 million, according to a broker. Circuit City has been vacant for nine months, since the national electronics chain closed stores across the country last spring.

“Part of the problem is that there are just so many vacancies and ‘for lease’ signs on Route 1,’’ said Jonathan Martin, assistant vice president at Colliers Meredith & Grew, a Boston-based real estate firm that is marketing the property.

The empty stores concern local officials. “Route 1 is one of our revenue generators,’’ said Mayor Michael Bonfanti of Peabody. “It’s like anything else in a bad economy. People don’t start new businesses. Vacancy rates rise. That’s detrimental to everybody.’’

Said Karen Nelson, the Danvers planning director: “From a job-loss standpoint, and tax revenue, it’s a concern. But development goes in cycles. I am confident, in time, that we’ll start getting inquiries on those sites.’’

The slowdown comes in stark contrast to Route 1 in Saugus. That stretch of the highway has had a retail boom in the last year, with national retailers investing millions of dollars. But those projects were in the pipeline long before the economy tanked last year, an analyst said.

“Saugus has experienced the reverse effect,’’ said Todd Finard, a principal at Finard Properties of Burlington, a commercial real estate firm that owns a strip mall on Route 1 in Saugus. “A lot of projects were well along before things turned . . . A lot of other projects were in the wrong place at the wrong time.’’

Route 1 in Peabody and Danvers is a four-lane divided highway. Its eclectic mix of uses includes mobile home parks and gas stations along with warehouse stores and strip malls. Lawyers representing Route 1 developers and property owners agreed the economy is the main reason projects have stalled.

“There was a time of significant opportunity,’’ said John Keilty, a Peabody lawyer who represents many developers before city boards. “I hope it hasn’t passed us by as a community.’’

“There are good parcels of land out there,’’ said Ankeles, whose clients also include owners of the Carriage House Motel. “My hope is that the parcel will get redeveloped.’’

A soccer facility and fast food restaurants have been eyed for the five-acre site, but none has panned out. The owners have also asked an adjoining landowner about combining parcels, but were rebuffed, Ankeles said. “That would improve access to the site,’’ he said. “It would make it more marketable.’’

The 16-acre Country Side Motel site is one of the largest parcels on Route 1 in Peabody. Permits for a family entertainment complex proposed by developer Richard Marchese have expired. It’s back to the drawing board for any new development, said Keilty, the lawyer for the project.

“We’re starting over,’’ said Keilty. “He’s trying to identify tenants or users that make development of the site worthwhile.’’

Prospects on the pike may not be all bleak. Bennigan’s could become a North End-style restaurant. A Virginia company that holds a first mortgage company notified the Peabody tax collector that the property is under agreement, and back taxes totaling $40,000 will be paid in January, city collector Steve Yokas said. Tequilas restaurant has drawn interest from at least two potential buyers, each of whom could be close to making an offer, according to the real estate broker.

“It’s tough sledding out there, but we’re negotiating with two groups,’’ said Pat Paladino, a senior vice president at Colliers Meredith & Grew, the listing agent. “We’re optimistic we’ll get a deal done.’’

The former East West Mortgage building hit the auction block, after the property owner could no longer make mortgage payments. East West leased the building. On the market for one month, the property has drawn interest, said Steve Young, a Wainwright Bank spokesman.

“There is a considerable amount of interest from several different parties,’’ he said. “It’s a nice build out, a nice design that you don’t often see on that end of Route 1.’’

Bel-Aire Diner probably could bring the first visible sign of progress. Kallas said he is close to obtaining financing. “We’re ready to go. We hope to get the foundation in before winter,’’ said Kallas, whose family has owned the property for 57 years.

The diner closed three years ago. Since then, John Kallas has operated the Best gas station, where 18-wheelers still pull in for gas and a truck wash. But truckers still are hungry for the diner’s sausage and eggs.

“We’re the only truck stop around here,’’ Kallas said. “Even in a weak economy, truck stops do well. People have to eat.’’

Kathy McCabe can be reached at kmccabe@globe.com.

Qdoba Mexican Grill – Route 1 Saugus

Route One Saugus MA — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:43:53 +0000

Qdoba Mexican Grill opens on Route 1

Courtesy of Wicked Local: CLICK HERE for Wicked Local

By Kathryn O’Brien/kaobrien@cnc.com

Photo by Dave Winder

Qdoba Mexican Grill opened its newest Massachusetts location at the Shops at Saugus, Route One North Saturday, August 23 The Qdoba ribbon cutting was also a benefit for the Starlight Children’s Foundation of New England. Starlight children pictured here with their families and Qdoba employees include: Front row, l to r, Philip Herrara, Alexis Alfonso, Diana Whitcomb, Katherine Solivan, Bryce, Andrew and Collette Whitcomb, Zackary Finn, Brianna Lynch, Declan and Shane Finn, Criss Lynch, Kaelyn Keeley; and Back row, l to r, Lisa Alfonso, Lawrence Herrara, Louie Alfonso, Jonelle Prill-Tate, Brianna Whitney, Christina Schmidt, Matt Weiss, Francisco Diaz, Sherri Brown and Jennafa the Celtics Cheerleader.

Saugus – A grand opening “Block Party” was held at the newest restaurant in town — the Qdoba Mexican Grill — last Saturday.

“All of our food is fresh and made fast,” said marketing manager/director Matt Weiss who stressed that Qdoba is for the customer who wants healthy food “on the go.”

With 16 stores in Massachusetts and more than 400 nationwide, Qdoba’s slogan is “locally owned, locally grown.” Instead of trucking in food from all over the country, Weiss said that Qdoba strives to buy and its produce from a distributor in Taunton, MA.

According to Weiss, the new Saugus franchise is owned by Jeff Ackerman of Wellesley, who also owns the rights to the other Massachusetts and New Hampshire Qdobas.

As customers place an order for burritos, taco salads or nachos, they can choose the ingredients they prefer, said Weiss who mentioned that an order can be customized to meet special health restrictions. For instance, a customer can order “a naked burrito” without the tortilla to eliminate the carbs.

Health conscious customers can preplan a meal by visiting qdoba.com where all the ingredients and their caloric counts are listed.

The average price of an entrée at Qdoba is $4-$7.50. A children’s menu caters to the younger crowd and includes a huge favorite — quesadillas, said Weiss.

The Saugus location, which is on Route 1 North in the new Shops at Saugus plaza, has 75 seats. The business employs 15-30 part-time and full-time employees. “We try to hire from the area, but there is some cross over from our other locations,” explained Weiss.

Weiss said that Saugus was chosen as the newest store location because of its “family-oriented culture” and for the high traffic count — 114,000 — vehicles that drive along Route 1 each day.

Noting that Qdoba intends to be “a great community partner,” Weiss said that Qdoba’s marketing coordinator has already met with the Saugus school superintendent and has offered to donate cups to the Saugus High football teams.

The hours of operation at the Saugus store are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Hilltop Steak House Route One Saugus MA

Route One Saugus MA — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:45:38 +0000

History

In 1961 Frank Giuffrida bought a club in Saugus that he converted into a western-style steakhouse. With his wife Irene, as the hostess, they worked seven days a week and before long the Hilltop became the number One Steakhouse, a title it still holds today. Frank was soon known to be the “king of the Hill” serving over three million customers annually. His success was largely due to his generous nature, which he reflected into his business with great quality and quantity. The Hilltop is still known today for it’s quality and generous portions at a great value.

Over the course of the past 40 years Hilltop has won numerous awards and accolades. Most recently Hilltop was awarded #1 Steakhouse (City search 2003), #2 Independent Restaurant (Restaurant & Institutions Magazine 2002) and many more.

Dick Monfort of High Country Investors in Colorado, acquired assets of the Saugus Hilltop In October 1994.

The Hilltop Steak House Restaurant in Saugus has five rooms function rooms for business meetings, bridal showers, family events, and elegant weddings.

We also offer an off premise catering division called “The Chuck Wagon”. The Chuck Wagon concept is simple. With a minimum of fifty people you can hire us to do a barbecue anywhere, corporate or private. We come to your place of business, backyard, park, beach etc. We cook and serve a menu that you pre-select. We bring everything needed for a barbecue. Grills, chefs, wait staff, buffet tables, all paper goods, condiments etc. We cook, serve and clean up.

The Chuck Wagon has been very popular and has blossomed into a full service catering business. In addition to our now famous barbecues, we do clam bakes, weddings, showers, anniversaries, holiday parties etc. A sampling of our menu is available online at the host station and in the catering office.

Route One Saugus Websites

Route One Saugus MA — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:29:37 +0000

In our continuing efforts to provide some Route One Saugus SIDETRACKING for the initiated and braver yet un-initiated surfing souls, we are going to start a series of reviews highlighting Route 1 Saugus and Town of Saugus On-line Resources.

Our crack investigative staff have uncovered some obviously hard at work and dedicated internet devotees’ who are aggregating content each and every day so we can all sleep soundly knowing that they are ON THE JOB providing everything that we need to know about our BELOVED Route One Saugus and its surroundings

One Saugus on-line resource we uncovered is a nice hodge podge of various information called www.saugus.net loudly proclaiming itself as “The Official Homepage of Saugus Massachusetts”.

Check it out! It has that churned butter, Gutenberb press, horse and buggy, turn of the century feel that one can only find lovingly produced on the back woods Windows 98 PCs of your favorite smaller municipalities.

Need to know more about Saugus Library current events, birding along the Saugus Cul de Sacs or all about the weekend yard sale excitement? Then Saugus.net is surely soon to be a regular stop on your browser favorites! Enjoy!

Are you listening Chronicle???