Village Restaurant, a seafood eatery in Essex, has closed

Patrons loved their final meals at a North Shore seafood restaurant serving “conventional New England delicacies with a up to date aptitude” this week.

Village Restaurant, a beloved eatery in Essex, held its closing day of service on Tuesday. The spot, which had been open since 1956, introduced its plans to shut on Fb final Friday, and whereas the crew initially deliberate to shutter on September 27, they ran out of meals by 7 p.m. an evening earlier. After the Fb announcement, greater than 2,000 folks had come to go to over the weekend, the Boston Globe reported. Co-owner Mark Audette mentioned that the choice to promote the restaurant was made as a result of the opposite co-owners, his spouse, Tara Audette, and daughter, Carling Audette, are retiring from the restaurant enterprise.

“The ladies needed to maneuver on, [and] it was time to promote,” Mark mentioned. “I do know that my spouse and daughter put their coronary heart and soul into the entire operation. They actually gave an incredible period of time.”

The area will stay a restaurant, owned by Stuart Henry, Mary Kiely, and Inga Dowling, in response to Mark. They are going to be opening an Essex department of The James Pub & Provisions, which is situated in Needham.

Village Restaurant had been recognized for dishes resembling their fried clams, an Essex specialty, clam chowder, and fish sandwiches. Clients additionally loved their baked stuffed lobster, Mark mentioned, and their signature dessert, an Indian pudding. The place had a faithful following, and Mark added that he was at all times shocked by how many individuals would get in a automotive to go to from afar.

Mark will proceed to remain concerned within the restaurant trade. His seasonal eatery, The Deck in Salisbury, and Giuseppe’s, an Italian eating spot in Newburyport, will stay open. He has plans to open one other Giuseppe’s in North Beverly, hopefully inside the subsequent month, with accomplice Rob Hartley.

Having opened over 70 years in the past, Village Restaurant has a protracted historical past within the Essex neighborhood. It was initially purchased by two married {couples}, the Carters and the Riccis, when it was a burger joint referred to as “Wimps,” in response to the web site. The Ricci’s sons ultimately took over, till in 2018, the restaurant was offered to the Audette household.

Mark mentioned that he needs the brand new restaurant may have native help, and he may have fond recollections of the previous eatery.

“I definitely hope the city will welcome the brand new house owners the best way that they welcomed us,” he mentioned. “… We’ll miss the employees, as a result of they have been loyal, and definitely, the shoppers.”

Inform us: Do you might have a particular reminiscence of Village Restaurant? Tell us what you appreciated to order there, what your expertise was like, and what it meant to you. Fill out the survey beneath or e-mail us at [email protected], and your response could also be featured in an upcoming Boston.com article.