Uno's closes, leaves unused liquor license

By Ethan Forman
Staff writer

April 01, 2009 12:12 am

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DANVERS — Workers took down the awnings of Uno Chicago Grill at 194 Endicott St. yesterday after the restaurant closed for good at the end of business on Friday.

"Let's not say goodbye," read a sign on the door. "We've closed these doors for the last time, but please keep in touch." The sign directed diners to visit other locations in Swampscott, Woburn and Revere.

"The lease was up," said Town Clerk Joseph Collins, who said the town was aware of the potential closure "awhile back, but they hadn't made a determination on that."

The restaurant was across the street from the Liberty Tree Mall along a strip that includes a Wendy's, a Burger King and a Sozio appliance store. Approximately 60 to 80 people worked there.

"We attempted to place everybody in other restaurants," said Rick Hendrie, vice president of marketing for Uno Chicago Grill. "We are not too big to forget we are a family."

The Danvers location would have celebrated its 25th anniversary this year, Hendrie said. While the location's closing may be "bittersweet," Hendrie said, the location's age and the end of its lease proved its undoing.

"I think the truth is, this happens in our business, sometimes the marketplace changes for some concepts," said Hendrie, who pointed to the evolution of the chain to its "crown jewel" location in Swampscott: a new restaurant that sports a Chicago warehouse theme, a host of wide-screen plasma TVs on the walls and a large bar area.

Boston-based Uno Restaurant Holdings Corp. has a system of 200 company- and franchise-owned restaurants. The former Danvers location is on 1.4 acres with an assessed value of nearly $1.4 million. Its owners, Steven and Ann Marie Orgettas of Swampscott, could not be reached for comment.

Hendrie could not say what will happen with the restaurant's liquor license. With Danvers at its limit, such licenses can fetch a hefty price. Margaritas paid $200,000 for the license owned by the former Crab House.

Collins said it will be up to Uno to tell the town its plans for the license.

"I would assume we would be getting a communication from them shortly," Collins said.

Staff writer Ethan Forman can be reached at 978-338-2673 or by e-mail at eforman@salemnews.com.