After nearly 60 years in operation, the Hawthorne-by-the-Sea restaurant in Swampscott is set to close this month. The Athanas family has chosen not to renew their operational contract for the longtime North Shore establishment, according to Boston Restaurants Blog.
The property on Humphrey Street, purchased by the town in 2024, is now under discussion for future use, as reported by the Swampscott Tides.
An online auction hosted by Stanley J. Paine Auctioneers is currently underway for the restaurant’s contents and is scheduled to close on November 18. Swampscott Town Administrator Nick Connors noted in a Select Board meeting that talks have been held about potentially delaying the auction due to uncertainty about the site’s redevelopment.
Town officials have met with the Athanas family to explore options for extending operations, but family representatives indicated that continuing the business is no longer feasible. The town formed the Hawthorne Re-use Advisory Committee earlier this year to help determine potential future uses for the property.
The Select Board is considering issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) that could allow leases of up to three years while discussions continue over acquiring a nearby parking lot owned by St. John’s Church. As the community weighs options for the site’s future, officials are working to ensure the property continues to serve a public purpose.
