A seaside restaurant that has been a North Shore destination for nearly eight decades has shut down.
Hawthorne by the Sea in Swampscott, along with Anthony’s Pier 4 Café, officially closed on Saturday, Nov. 15, according to a Facebook post from the business.
“For 80 years, we have had the immense privilege of being part of your lives and the fabric of the Swampscott community,” owners Anthony Jr., Michael and Paul Athanas wrote in the post. “From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your unwavering support and patronage throughout the years.”
Hawthorne’s property was sold to the Town of Swampscott in 2022 “for its largest open space acquisition in half a century,” according to the post. Now that the town is moving forward with the project, the restaurant’s owners “are ready to move on.”
“We have been fortunate to serve a ‘who’s who’ of notable figures over the decades, but the heart of our business has always been you — our repeat, regular customers. Serving several generations of families has been our greatest honor,” the owners wrote in the Facebook post.
“We also want to express our deepest gratitude to our incredible and loyal staff. Their dedication and hard work have been the backbone of our restaurants,” they continued. “We are immensely proud that some members of our team have been with us for four decades, contributing to the family atmosphere that made our establishments so special. Their commitment to excellence has been invaluable.”
Anthony Athanas opened Hawthorne by the Sea in 1946 while Anthony’s Pier 4 followed in 1963, according to the restaurant’s website. Both focused heavily on seafood dishes with popular plates being Dover Sole, Lobster a la Hawthorne and the eateries’ famous popovers.
Athanas opened several renowned North Shore concepts after emigrating from Albania to the U.S. in 1915. He opened his first restaurant, Anthony’s Hawthorne, in Lynn in 1937 followed by General Glover House in Swampscott in 1957. Anthony’s Cummaquid Inn Yarmouth Port on Cape Cod followed in 1975. All these restaurants have since closed.
“Our father, Anthony Athanas, was a pioneer and leader in the restaurant industry and ahead of his time in so many ways,” Athanas’ sons wrote in the Facebook post. “Swampscott is not only where he decided to open two restaurants, but his home, where he and our mother, Esther Athanas, raised their family of four boys. As a family, we are proud to have contributed to the town we call home.”
The address for the now-closed Hawthorne by the Sea is 153 Humphrey St., Swampscott.
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