End of an era for historic Saugus eatery

SAUGUS – The Board of Selectmen ended an era when it voted to transfer the liquor license from the long-defunct Ballard Restaurant to Buffalo Wild Wings Bar and Grille.Bob Lavoie, whose family owned the restaurant for more than six decades, told selectmen the liquor license was the first all-alcohol license ever issued in the town of Saugus.”My father started out with a beer and wine license,” he said.According to a story that ran in the Daily Evening Item in 1982, Phil Lavoie bought what was then a small cafe located on the water front at 128 Ballard St. on a lark. It was written that he made an offer to then owner “Joker” Pike, who shocked Lavoie by accepting.Lavoie, who was already a chef and son of a restaurant owner, was surprised but qualified – he and his family would occupy the spot for more than 60 years.The Lavoie family – Phil, his wife Helen and their sons, Rodney, Bob and David – would grow from these humble beginnings to a 210-seat restaurant with an extensive menu. In the 1980s the family added a lounge called “The Landing” that featured a menu of its own including an open-pit barbecue and an oyster bar.Lavoie said over the years the family has had many offers for the license, but Wild Wings is the first establishment it felt was deserving.”How could you ask for a better applicant?” he asked after the restaurant manager Joel Dover gave a lengthy and virtuous description of the franchise operation.Lavoie called the company’s reputation impeccable and said its management and security were sound.”I’m very proud to have them have our license,” he said.Lavoie is not ruling out a resurgence of a smaller version of the old family restaurant. Earlier this year half of the old building was torn down and Lavoie said the family has been working to clean up the site. He said the board could see the family back once more seeking a beer and wine license and putting the Ballard back in business.