Worcester Business Journal

26 Worcester Business Journal | October 28, 2024 | wbjournal.com 35th Anniversary WBJ BY BARBARA M. HOULE Special to WBJ T hirty-five years – but who's counting?! I'll admit that writing about the Worcester County restaurant scene spanning 35 years has made my head spin. During my career as a food journalist there have been countless stories about restaurant openings and closings, new restaurateurs, chefs on the move, and reviews. e good and the bad. Restaurants are notoriously difficult businesses to run, so congrats to the independents whose Worcester owners managed to stay afloat despite years of challenge: Dino's Ristorante; the Parkway Diner; Boulevard Diner; Kenmore Diner; the Boynton; Wonder Bar; and Leo's Ristorante have operated 50 or more years. A few of them even passed the 100-year mark. e Webster House restaurant closed in 2014, aer almost 80 years in business. Robert "Gus" Giordano was in business for 42 years as owner of Maxwell Silverman's Toolhouse restaurant and Club Maxine, leaving Lincoln Square in 2018 to open Feasting on nostalgia Take a spin around the Central Mass. culinary scene alongside an admired food editor and writer who has seen it all. From what's next at Niche to Frank Perdue's pet peeve, treat yourself to a buffet of legendary destinations, inside stories and fond farewells. Maxwell Silverman's Luciano's Restaurant at Union Station. e Sole Proprietor on Highland Street celebrates more than 40 years, one of three restaurants in the Worcester Restaurant Group (One Eleven Chop House and VIA Italian Table) founded by husband and wife team, Robb and Madeleine Ahlquist. ree El Basha city restaurants account for 30 years of food service. Val's restaurant in Holden? irty-three years in 2024. e Horseshoe Pub & Restaurant in Hudson has been a fixture for 44 years. Some Central Mass. closings hit hard. e Nicas family in 2021 made the decision to retire and closed doors at e Castle restaurant in Leicester aer 71 years. Culinary icon Julia Child was among distinguished guests at the landmark. e list goes on and on. All business "ings really have evolved in this business," said John Piccolo of Piccolo's on Shrewsbury Street in Worcester. "We struggled through the lockdowns and labor and delivery shortages. "Restaurants notoriously operate on razor-thin profits and can't afford to lose Putnam & Thurston restaurant may have closed in 1978 (after 120 years), but its fine-dining legend lives on. COURTESY WORCESTER HISTORICAL MUSEUM The El Morroco was a landmark destination, attracting celebrities and working-class families alike. COURTESY WORCESTER HISTORICAL MUSEUM / EDWARD COURNOYER PHOTOS Piccolo's has been an Italian dining staple on Shrewsbury Street for more than 20 years. COURTESY PICCOLO'S John Piccolo, longtime Worcester restarateur BARBARA HOULE PHOTO

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