Support from Dad

A Saugus man takes to the lectern to support his son’s efforts to open a fast-food place at Square One Mall

By Mark E. Vogler

When Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta invited members of the audience to speak for or against a license to operate a business in the Food Court at the Square One Mall at Tuesday night’s meeting, the father of the applicant raised his hand and attempted to make a recommendation on his son’s behalf. Panetta directed Anthony Kotkowski to join his son, AJ, and his wife Celina at the lectern if he wanted to address the board.

“He better be in favor,” Selectman Jeffrey Cicolini quipped as Kotkowski walked toward the microphone.

“And he better do a good job. Right?” Panetta added.

“I just want to say that he’s my son and we’ve lived in this town for over 60 years, and he’s been here for over 31 years,” Kotkowski told selectmen as he showed support for his son.

“And we’ve done nothing but good things for the town, and I appreciate that you guys let him do what he wants to do. We’re good people,” he said.

Board members were visibly moved by Kotkowski’s show of support for his son. “I must say, Madam Chair, that I’ve been sitting here a long time, and this is the first time I’ve seen someone’s father get up and support him,” Selectman Michael Serino said.

“I guess you’re a very close family. It’s nice to see,” he said.

Panetta agreed. “Yeah, it’s sweet,” she said.

“That’s so sweet,” Panetta added as she watched the young couple hug after the board voted 5-0 in support of AJ Kotkowski’s request for a Common Victualer’s license to operate Wicked Delish at Square One Mall.

AJ Kotkowski made a good impression on the board during the public hearing on his request for a Common Victualer’s License.

“She’s my wife and my partner as well,” he told the board of Celina’s role in his business plans.

“About a year ago, we were both doing different things. She was teaching school and I was working construction. And I was doing catering on the side. I’ve always loved food. I’ve always had a passion for food. Both of us love to cook,” he said.

“We come from families that love to cook, host parties – always cooking. And that’s how we both grew up. We got two young kids. And we said, ‘Let’s try to do something different.’ So, we’re doing it,” he said.

Panetta wanted to know if he ever had a restaurant before. “We have not, but we both have worked in the restaurant industry, pretty much our whole entire lives,” AJ Kotkowski responded.

Selectman Cicolini was satisfied with the applicant’s background. “I do think it’s important that we point out that you do have experience with the food because of the food trucks,” Cicolini said.

“Fast food in a mall vs. fast food in a food truck is very similar, as far as I’m concerned. And you’ve made a go at that. That makes me feel better,” he said.

Wicked Delish will be located in the back of the mall Food Court next to Sweet Sib, where the old Burger King once operated. The eatery will be open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. AJ Kotkowski told selectmen he expects to open his fast-food business during the second week of January.