A beloved family-run restaurant in Massachusetts has permanently shut its doors, concluding an illustrious 78-year chapter and leaving its local community heartbroken.
End of an Era for Boston Harbour
Hawthorne by the Sea and its adjoining Anthony's Pier 4 Cafe officially closed this week. The duo of seafood establishments was situated on the water in Swampscott, approximately 12 miles north of Boston. For decades, they were famed for their classic Northeastern dishes, including lobster, crab cakes, and scallops.
The owners, brothers Anthony Jr., Michael, and Paul Athanas, confirmed the closure in an official announcement. They expressed their 'mixed emotions' at shuttering the venture, which they inherited from their father, Anthony Athanas. The senior Athanas was an Albanian immigrant who founded Hawthorne by the Sea in 1946.
A Legacy of Service and Stardom
In their statement, the brothers thanked the community for its unwavering support. 'Serving several generations of families has been our greatest honour,' they wrote. They also paid tribute to their father, describing him as a 'pioneer and leader in the restaurant industry.'
Anthony's Pier 4 was added to the property in 1963 and quickly gained international renown. It became a destination for a glittering array of patrons, including presidents, religious leaders, and celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, and Jimmy Carter.
Community Remembers a Local Landmark
Despite its star-studded clientele, it is the loyal local community that feels the loss most acutely. Devastated regulars have flooded social media with memories, sharing stories of proposals, first dates, wedding receptions, and birthdays held at the restaurant.
One local reminisced about visiting as a child in the 1950s, while another shared a poignant family story: 'My dad worked for Mr Athanas... After graduation, Mr Athanas gave him his first job and sponsored his work visa. That's how my parents were able to become US citizens.'
The brothers sold the property to the town of Swampscott three years ago, in what was described as the 'largest open space acquisition in half a century.' The formal closure has been anticipated since that sale. The founders' father, Anthony Athanas, died in 2005 at the age of 93, leaving his culinary legacy to his sons. The restaurant recently concluded an auction of hundreds of items from the iconic properties.
