SWAMPSCOTT — The Hawthorne by the Sea restaurant, which initially opened in the town in 1947 before moving to its current location in 1967, is set to host its final dinner service on Saturday night after the Athanas family chose not to operate past the current agreement that’s in place.
Town Administrator Nick Connors initially made the announcement of the Athanas family’s plans during the Select Board meeting on Nov. 5, where he said that the Town received notice on Oct. 23 from the family and an attorney that they would not be operating once the agreement expires.
“The authorization for that expires on Dec. 31, but I believe their agreement ends earlier in the month based on when it was signed,” Connors said.
Anthony Athanas opened his first restaurant, Anthony’s Hawthorne, in Lynn in 1937, which went on to become “one of New England’s largest and most successful establishments,” according to its website. Athanas later opened the General Glover House restaurant in 1957 in Swampscott, then opened Anthony’s Cummaquid in 1975 in Yarmouth Port, located on Cape Cod.
In a later interview, Brian Watson, chair of the Hawthorne Re-Use Advisory Committee, spoke about the Committee’s work in drafting potential future uses for the site. He noted that the Committee is in favor of its G-1 concept — a plan for a single-site lot that utilizes both open space and buildings to collect revenue — though it has not yet taken an official vote on the matter.
The Committee was also tasked with looking into potential plans that occupy two lots, as the Town is considering the purchase of the parking lot adjacent to the restaurant. For the double-lot plan, the Committee picked its K-1 concept, which Watson said shares many similarities with G-1, saying that “one is just a little bit more expanded than the other.”
“We had a meeting last night and the Committee embraced these two plans, but we won’t have our vote to make it official until this weekend. We’re currently writing a report for the Select Board, and we won’t know whether or not the site will be a single-lot plan or a double-lot plan until the Select Board makes a recommendation to Town Meeting,” Watson said.
He added, “Ultimately, Town Meeting will be the decider.”
“Plan G-1 is a mixed-use plan that contains some park land, some buildings for revenue, a central courtyard, as well as some parking… I think it’s a good plan for the Town because of the very fact that it contains those various agreements,” Watson said.
He said he thinks the Committee is proud to come up with an integrated plan that covers both elements of open space and commercial activity.
Watson continued, saying that the Committee anticipates things like shops, cafes, and restaurants utilizing the space.
“The building heights would have to comply with zoning rules and the Humphrey Street Overlay District… The plan would be thoroughly reviewed by the Planning Board for compliance,” Watson said. “The Committee didn’t take the position whether or not to purchase the second lot; however, we selected plan K-1, which is a double lot plan in the event that the Town purchases the lot.”
He continued, “It’s notable that our Committee is recommending that the restaurant be demolished, whether the plan is single or double lot… Whether it’s single or double, our committee is very unified in believing that the building should be demolished.”
The Committee will present its report and conclusions to the Select Board at its next meeting.
Former owner of the Porthole Restaurant in Lynn, Bob Gaudet, said the Athanases are a great family that did an amazing amount for restaurant associations… They served the community for over 60 years. They’re great people.”
“I’ve been coming here my whole life, and the bartender is a good friend of mine, so I wanted to say goodbye properly,” Marci Benson said.
Benson said some of her favorite memories were the fun events and birthday parties she’s been to over the years.
“It’s a sad day in Swampscott. I think the restaurant is an icon for the community, and everybody relishes coming to Hawthorne by the Sea for their popovers and a great view of Boston… It’s a place of community,” Julie Faulkner said.
Jo Ann Simons said she still remembers when the restaurant was in its initial location and seeing her mother interact with people.
“It was in walking distance from my home; in high school, many of my friends were popover girls, and it was a first job for some people… It served as a great function hall for things like retirement parties and wedding receptions,” Simons said.
She continued, saying the presence of the Athanas family felt a little bit like “Swampscott royalty.”
“They had a presence in the community that we looked at in awe. There was always an Athanas greeting you in the restaurant. It’s very sad because we’ve seen the loss of the General Glover restaurant… I’m mourning the end of the era of the Athanas family legacy,” Simons said.
Stanley J. Paine Auctioneers is hosting an online auction for items within the restaurant, which is currently slated to close on Nov. 18, where community members can look over the catalogue at: https://www.paineauctioneers.com/servlet/AuctionInfo.do?auctionId=5311.
The website states that every item must be removed from the building before Nov. 19, as the restaurant will have its electricity, water, and gas shut off following the auction preview. Everything from chairs and dinner plates to the big bronze sea maiden that hung over the bar — which is currently going at $1,700 — are all included in the auction.
Anthony Athanas Jr. could not be reached for comment.
