Hilltop cow holds sentimental value for owner

SAUGUS – MarketStreet Lynnfield isn?t the only local storefront that opted to have a cow after Hilltop Steak House closed its doors.Angela Luongo, owner of the Little Shop of Treasures at the Liberty Tree Mall in Danvers, has had one of the famous fiberglass cows in her store since January, a black cow that she named Frank after the restaurant?s owner, Frank Giuffrida.?A lot of people are shocked to see him because it?s such an odd item to own,” said Luongo.Luongo spoke up about Frank the cow after MarketStreet Lynnfield received recognition for unveiling three cows at its outdoor shopping center this week, but Luongo originally bought Frank in December.After Hilltop closed its doors after 52 years in business last fall, a Hilltop knife sharpener bought Frank to feature in his own establishment, the Pearl Street Station Restaurant. But as Luongo tells it, the bar scene was too much for Frank, with customers often trying to climb on him.Luongo paid $3,200 to bring Frank to the Little Shop of Treasures, a memorabilia shop that has been at the mall about three years.Like the plans of MarketStreet?s marketing team, Luongo also dresses Frank up around the holidays, like she said Hilltop owners would do. Frank still has tape on his head from when Hilltop owners put a hat on his head, she added. The only restoration Luongo did for Frank was re-paint his feet black after they were scratched from the cement.But Frank has more sentimental value than a mere marketing tool for Luongo and her husband. Frank was the exact cow that she posed for a picture with at her Hilltop bridal shower. Luongo said after her wedding day fell on the same date as the Hilltop?s closing, acquiring the cow was meant to be.Frank does draw a crowd, though. “People will come in more to check him out because they couldn?t see him up closely before,” said Luongo. “People remember them as a symbol of Route 1, driving by and seeing the cactus and the cows.”For those who wish they had snagged some Hilltop mementos of their own before it closed, Luongo is selling framed menus, placemats and napkins from the iconic restaurant at her store.Frank is not for sale, at least not for now, said Luongo. “Right now he?s just for display,” she said. “We really don?t want to sell him. We just like having him, so people can see it again and have the memory of the Hilltop.”