NEWBURYPORT — After being dormant for more than a year, one of the most high-profile spaces in Newburyport will be teeming with activity again.
On Thursday (today), LaRosa’s Italian Restaurant will open in the just over 1,800-square-foot space at 31-35 Market St., Unit 1, that had previously been occupied by Vera Ristorante.
With outdoor seating that stretches deep into the Market Square bullnose, LaRosa’s Italian Restaurant will be one of the first establishments pedestrians coming from the waterfront will see.
“We’re super-duper excited,” Jim LaRosa said. “This is going to be a great thing and hopefully it will feel like we’re a great addition to the town.”
LaRosa and his partner, Mike Camaratta also own LaRosa’s Italian Cafe & Bar, La Fina Restaurant and The Autograph American Tavern, all in Andover.
Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce and Industry Executive Director Nate Allard said having a strong restaurant group like LaRosa’s come into the downtown can only be a good thing for the local dining scene.
“We’re ecstatic to see them coming here,” he said. “That spot in Market Square is like a billboard to visitors and residents when you’re driving through Market Square and round the corner to State Street. You see it very well.”
Over the past 15 years, LaRosa’s new spot had been home to an Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt & Ice Cream franchise, before it was turned into West Row Cafe & Bar. John Santaniello opened Vera Ristorante in 2020 but closed less than three years later due to a bad recipe of COVID-19 restrictions, staffing and other issues.
LaRosa said he’s always had his eye on the Market Square location. But every time it came available, he was too busy with one of his other restaurants.
“I was in the middle of building the first LaRosa’s when Orange Leaf closed and then LaFina when West Row closed, so I couldn’t jump on it,” he said. “Then, when Vera closed a few years ago, I was building The Autograph.”
But the old Vera space stayed on the market for a while. Last September, LaRosa decided Newburyport was too good an opportunity to pass up. So, early this year, he and Camaratta bought the former Vera Ristorante building in Market Square for just under $1.6 million.
The space came with all of Vera’s furniture as well as kitchen equipment. That, LaRosa said, helped with a quick turnaround.
“We bought the place in February and here we are in May, ready to open to the public,” he said.
LaRosa’s Italian Restaurant began the week with soft openings for employees on Monday and Tuesday. A ribbon cutting ceremony with the Chamber of Commerce was expected to take place Wednesday, with the grand opening happening Thursday.
Just like Sea Level Oyster Bar NBPT across the street, Allard called having an active restaurant in the heart of Market Square “a rising tide that lifts all boats.”
“When Sea Level is activated and all the lights or on, it just brings a new sense of charm to the downtown,” he said. “All the events we do are about activating a space, when people see life in an area it makes it thrive. LaRosa’s should do really well here.”
LaRosa said his three other restaurants are known for offering quality food in a warm environment. LaRosa’s Italian Restaurant will be no different.
“Italian food is simple and from the heart,” he said.”You can expect some chicken parmesan and some homemade meatballs. We really take old-school Italian recipes and put them in a restaurant form. But we also like to experiment and play in the kitchen.”
A big part of his new space’s attraction, LaRosa said is its front patio that packs about 40 seats right into the Market Square bullnose. Seating will also be made available in back of the building on Inn Street.
Without outdoor dining, LaRosa said he should have about 120 seats available for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.
“Newburyport has a true sense of community and an awesome restaurant scene,” he said. “There’s a lot of people doing a lot of cool stuff with food and drink.”
With roughly 25 employees ready to go, he expects to be able to accommodate every customer he sees in Port.
“A restaurant should only have as many seats as it can handle and do a great job,” he said.
Staff writer Jim Sullivan covers Newburyport for The Daily News. He can be reached via email at jsullivan@newburyportnews.com or by phone at 978-961-3145. Follow him on Twitter @ndnsully.