DEBRA BIRKMAIER, a manager at Kitty’s Restaurant, 123 Main Street, is shown with an official citation from the State Senate on the restaurant’s 80th anniversary. State Senator Bruce E. Tarr attended the celebration to commemorate the anniversary on Sunday afternoon, April 23. (Gail Lowe Photo)
By GAIL LOWE
NORTH READING — A hard rain fell on Sunday, April 23, but it did nothing to dampen the spirits of Kitty’s Restaurant & Lounge managers and owners nor the people who walked through its doors to celebrate the restaurant’s 80th anniversary.
Last Sunday afternoon, approximately 400 guests—including loyal customers, business owners and politicians—stopped by to congratulate members of the White family while enjoying homemade cuisine taken right from the restaurant’s extensive menu.
From 1 to 4 p.m., those who attended enjoyed appetizers, rolls and butter, garden salad, chicken wings, ziti, meatballs and pizza. Classic oldies but goodies background music was provided by Philip Carbone’s Time of Your Life DJ Service & Entertainment.
On hand to celebrate were members of the town’s Select Board, Stephen O’Leary, Vincenzo Stuto and Liane Gonzalez. Also attending were Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto, State Senator Bruce E. Tarr and State Representative Bradley H. Jones Jr.
Established as a family-owned and operated business by George and Susan White with sister Mary Brogna in 1943, Kitty’s is now owned and operated by the third generation of the White family. The Whites purchased the restaurant from its original owner Katherine McCarthy.
“If my grandparents were alive today and able to attend our 80th anniversary celebration, they would have been amazed to see all of our loyal customers and how far the restaurant has come,” said Kitty’s Manager Debra Birkmaier, adding that two dining rooms and a function room were built between the 1960s and the 1980s.
In a proclamation written by Select Board Chairperson Kathryn Manupelli, Kitty’s was cited as “Kitty’s Restaurant Day” on April 10.
“Kitty’s is a ‘destination,’” she wrote. “The restaurant is in North Reading, but North Reading is fondly known as where Kitty’s is.”
Long recognized and known as a place to celebrate, reunite and make new friends, the restaurant’s legacy of serving fine food in a family-friendly atmosphere is also enhanced by the portions served and shared for days to come.
“For 80 years, the White family, along with their extended family and employees, has been a strong thread within the fabric of our business community,” Manupelli noted. “Leading by example, the White family continues to generously contribute to and support causes, clubs and organizations within North Reading and beyond.”
Over the years, the family has supported the Rotarians, sports programs at North Reading schools, police and fire departments in the town and surrounding communities, Shriners, the Jimmy Fund, veterans, the North Reading Food Pantry, and various churches.
Birkmaier and Kitty’s co-owner and Manager Scott White agreed that their loyal customers and long-serving staff have contributed greatly to their restaurant’s success.
“Our patrons and staff members are like family to us,” Birkmaier said.
North Reading resident Pat Lavacchia is one of Kitty’s biggest fans, and she was willing to express her views.
“I’ve been coming to Kitty’s for years,” she said. “I love the family atmosphere. It is here that I’ve met some of my friends.”
Larry and Nancy Brown, also of North Reading, have been patrons since 1977. Nancy, who graduated from North Reading High School in 1968, called Sunday’s event “a great celebration.”
“We are here to offer our sincere congratulations to the entire White family,” she said.
Staff member Ophelia Maldonado has worked as a server at Kitty’s since the mid-1970s and has no plans to leave. “It’s been a great place to work,” she commented.
“Sunday’s celebration was a way to thank the people in town who have loyally supported Kitty’s over the years,” said Scott White. He and the other owners plan to “keep going” until someone from the fourth generation can take over.
“There aren’t many independent restaurants like ours,” he continued. “What we serve is always fresh and delicious, from our homemade salad dressing to our apple crisp.”
The anniversary event featured raffle prizes, including cornhole and bean bag toss games, an outdoor fold-up chair, T-shirts bearing the Kitty’s logo, various bottles of liquor and commemorative glassware.
From the North Reading Transcript to Kitty’s owners and staff: “Buona fortuna now and in the future!”