A Citation for The Continental

Selectmen honored the restaurant “for 72 years in Saugus” before its closing last fall; members bid farewell to “a Route 1 staple”

By Mark E. Vogler

The Continental Restaurant served its final meal last Nov. 24 – the Sunday before Thanksgiving. At Tuesday night’s meeting, the Board of Selectmen presented owner Paul Kourkoulis with a citation “for 72 years in Saugus.”

“I’m very sad that you closed,” Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta told Kourkoulis.

“You are a staple in our community” – a compliment that was repeated by several of Panetta’s colleagues.

“I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for the community,” Selectman Anthony Cogliano chimed in.

“Certainly, an institution, along with the Hilltop [Steak House],” Selectman Michael Serino said.

“Growing up, it was a treat for us to be able to go into your restaurant,” Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Jeff Cicolini said.

He recalled the lobster meals that his mom enjoyed. “A great place and staple in the community,” Cicolini said.

Selectman Corinne Riley thanked Kourkoulis “for your service to Saugus.”

“Such a staple on Route 1. The popovers are great,” she said.

Kourkoulis said his dad worked in the restaurant when he immigrated to the U.S. in the mid-50s. His family took over the restaurant in 1983.

Kourkoulis hinted that his family is considering future plans for the restaurant property. “Hopefully, we develop it into something the town is going to enjoy,” he told selectmen.

“We’re looking forward to coming up with a nice project with a positive impact,” he said.

It was just a few years ago that Kourkoulis had to shut down his restaurant for a few days, but for a positive reason – so a Hollywood film crew, cast and staff could use it for a movie scene. His family’s then 70-year-old eatery was picked as an ideal place to shoot scenes for the 2023 movie “The Holdovers,” starring Paul Giamatti as a teacher in a New England boarding school who got the unlucky task of chaperoning students who got stuck there on Christmas break.

“Yeah, it certainly does give us visibility. When the movie comes out, whether people will be able to tell whether it’s The Continental or not, I don’t know,” Kourkoulis said in an interview with The Saugus Advocate at the time of the filming back in February of 2022.

“But, just the idea of thousands of people driving by and seeing what’s going on, it’s definitely going to pique their interest. Whether it’s going online looking at The Continental to see what’s being filmed there, yeah, it puts it in people’s minds, I think,” he said.