The end of an era in Saugus

SAUGUS — After 72 years of business, the Continental Restaurant, an iconic Route 1 figure, will officially close on Nov. 24. The restaurant has been a staple in the community with its monthly events, old-timey feel, and well-known popovers.

Locals have been posting all over Facebook and sharing their favorite photos and memories from the restaurant after hearing the news.

Manager Roger Patient has worked at the restaurant for 40 years — since he was 15 years old — and he talked about how the Continental has struggled for some time.

Roger Patient, who has worked at the Continental Restaurant in Saugus for more than 40 years, sets a table for the next diners.

“The restaurant has been here since 1952, and business over the years has just really slowed down,” Patient said.

He specified that after COVID, the restaurant was never able to make a full comeback.

Patient also mentioned that the Kourkoulis family, who owns the restaurant, has been a great family to work for over the years, and that the staff and owners are sad that the doors are closing.

“It’s sad for us, but it’s also sad for the help that has been here for a long time, and the Kourkoulis family that owns the place also,” he said.

The Kourkoulis family has owned the restaurant for around 41 years, and Shauna Kourkoulis, the wife of owner Paul Kourkoulis, has been involved for 11 years.

The stained-glass logo of The Continental Restaurant in Saugus glows in afternoon light.

Much of the interior remains unchanged since The Continental Restaurant opened in 1952.

“It’s so nostalgic,” she said. “We just haven’t really changed a thing, and everybody knows it.”

She mentioned how the staff has stayed together for years and that the community knows and appreciates the consistency of the restaurant. She also said that there’s been a massive influx of customers after the closing was announced.

“It has been so busy. There’s been a lot of phone calls and a lot of reservations. People are coming in to probably get the last hurrah before the doors close,” she said.

Kourkoulis said that her favorite part about being involved with the restaurant was the regulars who were always there and the staff who had worked there for so long.

The Continental Restaurant co-owner Shauna Kourkoulis, who had to step out of the office on short notice to help with the lunch rush, looks over one of the dining rooms in the restaurant.

The Continental Restaurant will be joining a growing list of prominent businesses that have closed on Route 1. Despite the sad news, the staff remains upbeat about the situation.

“Our story isn’t finished yet,” said Christine Reno, who has been a server off-and-on at the restaurant for the past 30 years.