An iconic family-run Massachusetts restaurant has closed its doors for good after almost eight decades in business, leaving the community devastated.
Hawthorne by the Sea announced this week that the seafood restaurant and its adjoining Anthony’s Pier 4 Cafe had officially closed after a 78-year stint at the Boston harbour.
The duo of restaurants sat on the water in Swampscott, 12 miles north of Boston and served signature Northeastern meals including lobster, crab cakes, and scallops, according to the website.
In the official announcement, owners Anthony Jr., Michael, and Paul Athanas thanked the community for keeping the businesses afloat for so long.
The brothers described their ‘mixed emotions’ at finally saying farewell to the venture, which they inherited from their father Anthony Athanas, an Albanian immigrant and restauranteur who founded Hawthorne by the Sea in 1946.
‘Serving several generations of families has been our greatest honor. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your unwavering support and patronage throughout the years,’ they wrote.
‘Our father, Anthony Athanas, was a pioneer and leader in the restaurant industry and ahead of his time in so many ways.’
Anthony’s Pier 4 was added to the property in 1963 and quickly became renowned worldwide for hosting presidents, religious leaders, athletes, actors, and writers.
Beloved restaurants Anthony’s Pier 4 and Hawthorne by the Sea announced that they would be closing their doors after 80 years
Hawthorne by the Sea was founded by Albanian immigrant Anthony Athanas
The adjoining restaurants served classic New England food including lobster, crab cakes, and scallops
Despite their many star-studded patrons including Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, and Jimmy Carter, it was their loyal community that will be most affected by the loss.
Many regulars commented to express their love for the restaurant and share stories about what it had meant to them and their families.
‘Thanks to you and your father for many wonderful years of memories Hawthorne by the Sea, beginning when I was a child in the 50’s, and later when we’d go to the Surf theater Saturday matinee, and then to the Hawthorne,’ one local wrote.
‘Great restaurants and an amazing legacy of excellence in food, service and hospitality,’ another added.
‘So many of us have touching personal experiences & memories that will stay with us long after this incredible establishment is gone. First dates, wedding & funeral receptions, birthdays, anniversaries etc,’ continued a third.
‘My dad worked for Mr Athanas starting in the late 60s during summer breaks from college in West Virginia,’ a fourth said.
‘After graduation, Mr Athanas gave him his first job and sponsored his work visa. That’s how my parents were able to become US citizens. My dad had so many wonderful stories from his time there and always spoke highly of Anthony and his son.’
Devastated locals reminisced on proposals, first dates, and birthdays all taking place at Hawthorn by the Sea.
Hawthorne by the Sea was one of Athanas’s most successful restaurant ventures
The brothers sold the property three years ago to the town of Swampscott, noting it was the ‘largest open space acquisition in half a century.’
The formal closure has been in the works since then, and the trio wrote: ‘As the town prepares to move forward with its plans, we are ready to move on.’
Their father died in 2005 at 93 years old and left his sons his legacy.
He had spent his career working in restaurants and hotels after immigrating to the United States at just five years old.
‘Swampscott is not only where he decided to open two restaurants, but his home, where he and our mother, Esther Athanas, raised their family of four boys,’ his sons said in their statement.
‘As a family, we are proud to have contributed to the town we call home.’
Many frequent patrons took to the comments to express their love for the restaurant
Founder Athanas died in 2005 and left his restaurants to his sons
Athanas opened five restaurants in New England between 1937 and 1975.
Despite opening multiple restaurants in the Boston area, Hawthorne by the Sea and Anthony’s Pier 4 Cafe were the last remaining establishments of his legacy.
The restaurant began auctioning off hundreds of items from the iconic properties earlier this month. According to the Boston Globe, the auction ended Tuesday.
