Downtown Haverhill becoming more family-friendly

By Cara Spilsbury
Staff Writer

March 26, 2008 03:21 pm

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A familiar face is behind two new names in downtown Haverhill.

Anthony Allen, former owner of River City Billiards, opened the Italian restaurant Trattoria Al Forno at 87 Washington St., the site of his former billiard room and bar.

His goal is to serve "Italian food that meets or exceeds people's expectations" in a family-friendly environment. Allen hopes his restaurant, along with other eateries up and down Washington Street, will attract people who would otherwise leave Haverhill for chain restaurants alongside malls in nearby cities.

"It's a beautiful downtown," Allen said. "Everyone agrees with that."

Allen originally leased the building in November of 1998 to open River City Billiards, which he operated until January 2004, when he sold it. When the new owners closed the bar last year, Allen was left liable for the vacant property and found himself pulled back into the restaurant business.

But Allen, a commercial restaurant broker, also helped place Taste of Bangkok, a new restaurant at 2 Essex St., home of the former Mandarin Buffet.

Taste of Bangkok, owned by Kid and Sasitorn Thainkit, offers fresh, made-to-order Thai food at lunch and dinner. Its healthy noodle dishes, curry, rice, vegetarian options and other authentic dishes offer something new to the restaurant scene.

"We'd like to see it catch on and do really well," said David Burton, the restaurant's general manager. "There aren't a lot of Thai restaurants in the area."

Burton said other establishments in downtown Haverhill have been welcoming.

The owners of Essex Street Grille and the Wicked Big Cafe around the corner have come in to say hello. Representatives from Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce and Laurie Chase Kidsfest Committee have brought in ideas, and Mayor James Fiorentini has come in twice to see how business was going.

But Taste of Bangkok had some other important visitors when it first opened: The Thainkits had monks come to bless their doorway — an honor many local restaurants can't claim.

As both restaurants, which opened their doors within the last few weeks, work to find their niche with customers, other Washington Street longtime establishments reflect on the direction of the downtown and what has made their businesses survive.

Dan Beaulieu, owner of Heather's Cafe and Catering at 22 Washington St., which opened 10 years ago, says it's all about having the right attitude and offering a unique dining experience.

"Know your clientele. Get to know them. People shouldn't feel like a brand new customer every time they come into a restaurant. If you're friendly, people don't mind coming back. If they can come in and have some fun, why not?" said Beaulieu. "It's been a good 10 years. I've seen the highs and the lows of downtown Haverhill. But we're fine. It always goes in cycles."

Beaulieu, who says he knows he'll make it through and hopes other restaurants do the same, is most concerned about the location of the proposed parking garage. He wants it to be in a safe location and central to downtown businesses.

"I like the feel of the downtown ... the historic value of it," Beaulieu said. "Downtown has a lot of potential."

People are used to finding a restaurant at 100 Washington St. because there has been a restaurant there since 1897. And though it has been called The Tap for many years, it wasn't until John Fahimian opened it five years ago that a microbrewery was incorporated into it, and it has won several awards for its hometown brews like HaverAle and Leatherlips IPA.

Fahimian also installed a large deck out back with views of the Merrimack River which has become a favorite summer spot for customers. He also has sidewalk dining.

"Being unique really does help," said Ali Cavatorta, a manager at The Tap, of the restaurant's longevity and success.

Cavatorta added that Washington Street is ideal for their business. She hopes the historic downtown continue to grow. "It's got everything," she said. "The shops ... the restaurants. Everything is right here."

Allen is thrilled that so many options are available during the day and night for people looking for a place to dine.

"There's good momentum," he said. "It benefits everyone. The more restaurants, the better."

Allen, looking at the successful revitalization of cities like Portsmouth, N.H., Providence, R.I. and Portland, Maine, has observed that successful, unique restaurants have been catalysts for struggling downtowns. He believes the new restaurants and successful older establishments are themselves positive signs of better things to come.

"Ten years ago, it seemed to be all bars downtown," Allen said. "If you came down here on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night, there were swarms of people, and you just don't see that crowd anymore. It's much more family-friendly."

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