Owner Peter Carbone stands in front of the family’s namesake restaurant with his sister and business partner, Mary Ann Lorentzen, in 2020, when they announced plans to sell the business before changing their minds. FILE PHOTO/JERRY SPAR
Carbone’s Restaurant, an iconic Italian-American eatery in Hopkinton at the border of Southborough and Ashland, will be closing on June 27 after 93 years in operation.
The town is negotiating with the owners to purchase the land for town and open space use, Assistant Town Manager Lance DelPriore confirmed in an email to the Independent Friday.
“The Town is very grateful that we were able to reach a mutually beneficial agreement,” he stated. “Our primary interest in the property was finding a viable location to construct a drinking water pump station for the proposed MWRA connection through Southborough, but we are excited to continue exploring other beneficial uses for the community.
“While the Town intends to demolish the restaurant,” DelPriore continued, “discussions continue regarding ways to commemorate its long history and impact. A final date for the transfer of ownership has not yet been set, but we anticipate it will be sometime later this year.”
Annual Town Meeting on May 2 voted to approve Article 13, authorizing the purchase as a one-time expense as part of the town’s capital improvement requests. Article 20, sponsored by the Community Preservation Committee, stated the purchase price at $2 million. Also approved at the ATM, it authorized $185,000 to be used toward the purchase, with the condition that 5 acres in the rear of the property be designated as open space.
The property includes the restaurant, parking lot and surrounding land — mostly forested, abutting Hopkinton State Park. While the site totals more than 12 acres, the town intends to purchase the 10 acres in Hopkinton. The remaining 2 acres are in Ashland.
A MassLive article Thursday quoted Mary Ann Lorentzen — who owns the restaurant with her brother, Peter Carbone — as indicating the June 27 closing date.
The Independent was unable to reach the owners for comment.
According to the Carbone’s website, the restaurant was founded in 1933 by Ana and Cesare Carboni after they emigrated to the U.S. from Italy. The restaurant’s menu features Italian-American classics as well as chicken and seafood dishes.
While the restaurant’s closing marks the end of an era in Hopkinton, the restaurant’s intention of closing was first proposed in 2020. The Independent first reported in September 2020 that the restaurant intended to close that fall. This was one month after a man drove his car into a side wall. The building sustained no structural damage and remained in operation as the owners sought a buyer.
I wonder how much the demo of the structure is going to cost the town considering the year this was built…around 1945. The cost to demo portions of the Center School is going to be a couple of million. It is also unfortunate that we are removing a commercial property from the town tax rolls when we are dealing with budget shortfalls.
Mary Ann, Peter, and all the truly wonderful folks who work at Carbone’s…you will all be missed so much more than you know. Thank you for a lifetime of great memories and delicious food. Sending you all the very best in your new future – I will miss you terribly ❤️
I have 2 prospective buyers of Carbone ‘s Restaurant in Hopkinton
We have so many fond memories of great Italian meals at Carbones when we lived in Milford in the 60s. Both my beloved wife, Peggy, and I enjoyed especially the Italian roast potatoes with our chicken Parmesan so many times. Thank you Carbone family for providing wonderful memories for over three generations God bless you all Fred Ormond
Carbone’s closing. Such sad news. A staple in the area. What will we all do. We’ve lost so many wonderful restaurants in the region. Do I now have to cook. I don’t think so. Wishing you all good health, and time to enjoy your downtime.
I only got to eat there once in my life, despite living so close to the place. I wish I could have eaten there more often. I loved their pizza and deserts.
Great restaurant- went there for years. Food delicious and generous drinks.
Maryanne always pleasant . Great memories.
Thanks
This restaurant was more than just an eating establishment it was a home away from home and provided so much love to the employees and customers. I started coming to the restaurant when I was small child with my Dad who plowed snow for the town and statei and new we would always stop at the little building called Carbone’a before we went home. From that moment on my life seem to be around the family and Peter Carbone Sr who was the most special man like my second Farther. Pizza takeout girl, dessert girl watress, hostess and my last was working in the office until I moved to Conn. in 1985, If though I stop working I have not been home once without visiting the restaurant. I will truly miss everyone I hopei they realize the legacy the family has given to me, my family, Hopkinton and all the patron. You will be missed but I will still come home and visit you,