By Jane Keller Gordon, Contributing Writer
Westborough – Harry’s Restaurant is about to celebrate its 70th anniversary, including 47 years in Westborough. Not too many family-run businesses can make that clam – whoops! – that “claim.” This one is well-known for its fried clams, onion rings, crab and lobster bisques, pastrami sandwiches and a slew of healthy new entrees.
It’s also a place where you can count on seeing familiar faces, and Harry’s iconic logo, “Mr. Clam Man.” And, you can have beer, wine or cordial.
On Saturday, April 9, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., there will be an anniversary celebration, with free samples of food, raffles, coupons, t-shirts, and two meals for $19.46, the year the first restaurant opened. One of the hosts will be dressed up as “Mr. Clam Man.”
It all began with Harry Cohen, a house painter who owned a business in Worcester. When he developed diabetes at 28, Harry needed to find another line of work. His wife Eleanor, then a schoolteacher, joined him in opening the first Harry’s, in White City where Dunkin Donuts is now located.
Harry and Eleanor’s son Jon said, “[My dad] wrote the menu on the venetian blinds, and switched the blinds to show day and nighttime menus. … And he used his painting skills when slathering mustard with a paintbrush across 15 to 20 pastrami sandwiches at a time.”
Jon was born the year after the first restaurant was opened. He grew up to become an electrical engineer, and was then drafted during the Vietnam War. He did a stint in a reserve unit, according to Linda, his wife of 48 years.
“I fell in love,” said Jon, about having joined his father’s business after the war. He opened a second restaurant on Water Street in Framingham, which he ran until 1969 when the Westborough location was opened.
The Westborough building, a former Esso Gas Station, was the first building that the business owned rather than leased. The door to the men’s room is still outside the building.
Linda uses her background in human relations to recruit staff and manage hiring and training. She also works sometimes as a hostess. Jon handles the accounting and business issues. He and Linda come up with new healthy recipes by searching cookbooks and visiting restaurants while traveling, according to Jon.
Both Jon and Linda value community involvement and donate to many charities and sponsor teams.
John Graham, a former line cook at the restaurant, painted the “Mr. Clam Man” drawings, which feature different menu items and hang all around the restaurant, just below the ceiling.
Deb Foster has been a waitress at Harry’s for 45 years, and knows many loyal customers by name.
“I found a home and another brother,” she said. “My mom and dad were Harold and Eleanor… We have some of the best customers in the world.”
Waitress Tricia Wiseman is a rookie, having worked there for nine years. Kitchen Manager Andrew Chace has been on the job for 25 years.
Manager Sue Ryan has been with the restaurant for 41 years; she also does the baking. Pudding and pies are popular items. Jeanine Sanders, a 27-year veteran, is the other manager.
Linda and Jon said that they have a succession plan to continue the family business. They have two grown children who they hope will participate in some way.
“I came [to run the restaurant] because my father asked me, and I never left,” Jon said.
Harry and Eleanor passed away in 1986 and 2004, respectively. Their legacy lives on, 70 years after it began.
Harry’s is located at 149 Turnpike Rd (Route 9 West). For more information visit harrysrestaurant.com.
Photos/Jane Keller Gordon