Published in the September 6, 2017 edition
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The Ship has officially sunk.
The legendary Route 1 restaurant, 24 Broadway, was razed last week in order for a new 7,580 sq. ft. strip mall to be built. The project also includes building a 2,500 sq. ft. drive-up restaurant and coffee shop, and a 2,500 sq. ft. free standing East Boston Savings Bank branch building that will be located next to the Christmas Tree Shops. The Christmas Tree Shops will remain at the site.
The Historical Commission and representatives from Ship Mall, LLC agreed earlier this year that the project will pay tribute to the restaurant’s legacy, which will include a memorial plaque. The new strip mall’s color scheme will resemble The Ship’s colors. Attorney Ted Regnante, who is representing The Ship Mall, LLC, told the Historical Commission earlier this year windows and glass installed at the strip mall will “duplicate” what was in The Ship. He also said the front of the new building will “mimic portions” of The Ship’s exterior.
The Boston Globe reported the new building will incorporate a “stylized version” of the restaurant’s mast. Additionally, The Ship’s eagle and stars will be incorporated into the new building.
The Historical Commission was also given artifacts from The Ship.
According to The Boston Globe, contractors will begin constructing the new strip mall this fall. Regnante told The Boston Globe the strip mall will be completed within five months.
The Ship joins several other Route 1 landmarks that have been demolished from the highway. While the Hilltop Steakhouse was razed, the iconic cactus is still standing and will be incorporated into a new development. Weylu’s was also demolished, and the Route 1 Miniature Golf and Batting Cages closed last year in order to allow a housing and retail development to be constructed.
Those three establishments were located in Saugus.
Former Gloucester sea captain James F. Wilkinson built The Ship in May 1925, which originally opened as a small refreshment stand on the Newburyport Turnpike. The restaurant was a popular dining destination a long time ago.
