Methuen

If you’re headed north for some tax-free shopping, don’t skip this sleeper town.

By Karen Sackowitz

Methuen City Hall

History is a big deal in methuen. Just walking the streets can turn into a living lesson and for the residents who now call this town home, much of the growth seen over the years can be attributed to the work of three men.

Edward Searles, Charles Tenney, and David Nevins controlled great fortunes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These three millionaire philanthropists worked to build the town of Methuen, leaving behind an architectural legacy which lives on in structures such as City Hall, Nevins Memorial Library, Presentation of Mary Academy, and the Tenney Gatehouse at Grey Court Park.

Last year, the mayor’s office introduced two new walking tours. The Mill Tour starts at the Spickett River Falls and leads to several mill buildings which stood during the city’s manufacturing boom of the early 20th century. The Millionaire Walk showcases the architectural jewels left to the city by the Searles, Nevins, and Tenney families. Matt Kraunelis, chief of staff in the mayor’s office, says the tours allow visitors and residents to see the values of a different time reflected in the structures.

“People were generous back then,” Kraunelis says. “They wanted to leave a legacy.” New legacies are being born, too, with businesses such as The Loop, an outdoor shopping and entertainment complex that is a top regional destination.

Across the street from The Loop sits a perfect example of Methuen’s ability to balance growth with a commitment to community. Mann Orchards, a long-time family-owned business, sold a large chunk of its land in 2007 to accommodate a new Target store. While some worried about what would become of their favorite produce spot, concerns were quickly put to rest as the Mann family constructed a stunning new version of their signature red barn shop, just up the road. “They could have just taken the money and run,” says Kraunelis. “Instead, they chose to reinvest it back into the community.”

Residents of Methuen also value the town’s ethnic diversity. Italian immigrants and their families populate the Valley section of town, where resident Lana Grelle’s family eventually settled after coming to the United States from Italy.

“It’s a really close-knit community,” she says. “Wherever you go, there is always someone willing to lend a hand.” Grelle says there is something else people love about her neighborhood: Borrelli’s on Merrimack Street, arguably the best Italian deli on the North Shore.
“Years ago, people would go to the farms and small butchers for fresh food,” she explains. “Borrelli’s is the only one left and has the best food around.”

The Hispanic population centered in the Arlington neighborhood of town benefits from the tremendous efforts of Methuen Arlington Neighborhood (MAN Inc.). A grassroots organization, MAN Inc. was the driving force behind last year’s opening of a new community center where young people can congregate to do homework, socialize, or attend Saturday programs.

Looking for outdoor recreation? Forest Lake is the summer hot spot, where residents can cool off or enroll their children in swim lessons taught through the city’s recreation department. When the snow flies, hardy outdoor types can be found ice fishing, or cross-country skiing on a network of trails in the area.

Methuen residents also have access to excellent health care right in town, thanks to Holy Family Hospital, where staff and services are continually added to ensure top quality care in a community hospital setting. And for our four-legged friends, shelter services can be found at the Nevins Farm MSPCA, a sprawling state-of-the-art facility that offers care and adoption services, as well as a world-renowned equine ambulance program.

If you just wrapped up a holiday season full of frenzied shopping or festive dining, you probably spent some time in Methuen. If you didn’t, you are in luck. There is so much more to this town that can draw you back, no matter what the season.

The Details
Date of Settlement: 1642
Date of Incorporation: 1726
Zip Code: 01844
Population: 43,789 (2000 Census)
Total Area: 23.1 square miles
Median Household Income: $59,831
Public Schools: Methuen High School, Donald P. Timony Grammar School, Comprehensive Grammar School, Tenney Grammar School, Marsh Grammar School
Private Schools: Presentation of Mary (HS), Fellowship Christian Academy (HS), St. Monica Elementary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel School (elementary), St. Ann’s Elementary
Notable Residents: Robert Frost, Steve Bedrosian (MLB), Jimmy Pedro (Judo Olympian), Susie Castillo (Miss USA 2003)

Methuen Memorial Music Hall

Methuen Memorial Music Hall

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the first performance of the Great Organ in the Methuen Memorial Music Hall. To see and hear this handcrafted masterpiece is to witness a truly stunning historical treasure. Originally built in Germany in 1863, the Great Organ was first installed at the Boston Music Hall, now known as the Orpheum Theater in Boston. By the early 1880s, however, the musical landscape of the city had changed with the introduction of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. When the growing BSO needed more space, the organ was removed. Methuen millionaire Edward Searles purchased the organ in 1897, refurbished it, and built the hall in Methuen. Used exclusively for personal entertainment until his death in 1920, the organ was eventually obtained by influential organ builder Ernest Skinner, who began presenting public performances in 1931. Today, people can still enjoy the majestic sounds of the Great Organ through a summer recital series, as well as concerts held from May to December. The Methuen Memorial Music Hall is also home to the Methuen Young People’s Theatre summer program, in which children rehearse and perform a full-scale Gilbert & Sullivan operetta.

DINING

New Tokyo Steakhouse
Grab a seat on the hibachi side of this Japanese cuisine favorite and watch as expert chefs flip, catch, chop, and grill your handpicked ingredients to perfection, right at your table. Not the sit-near-the- flames type? The more subdued table side of the restaurant offers up a tasty array of sashimi, teriyaki, tempura, katsu, udon noodles, hot pot, appetizers, and desserts, as well as a full sushi bar. When you’re ready to wash it all down, a fresh pot of green tea is never far away, nor is a strong glass of sake, depending on your mood. 70 Pleasant Valley St., 978-725-8888, newtokyosteakhouse.com.

The Rosario 1859 House
Step inside this local favorite and you will immediately feel the charm of an old-fashioned Main Street tavern. The building, built in 1859, was originally constructed to house The Methuen Company, a textile manufacturer. In 1922, it was purchased by The Methuen Club, an organization of local businessmen in need of a gathering spot. Over the next several decades, the “Club House,” as it was known, gave the gentlemen a place to play cards and billiards or even bowl in the alleys built on the basement level. Today, The Rosario 1859 House serves up pub fare in a relaxed and family friendly atmosphere. Those who visit during the cold weather months are also treated to a roaring fire in the dining room’s center hearth. Whether you’re looking for a casual lunch or a lively spot to gather with friends on a Friday night, owner Miguel Rosario and his attentive staff aim to please. Offerings include everything from burgers to filet mignon, fresh seafood to potato skins, as well as an extensive wine list to compliment any choice. 12 Hampshire St., 978-738-9900, rosariothe1859house.com

The Loop
If it’s big, friendly chain restaurants that you seek, The Loop should be your destination. Not Your Average Joe’s, a stone’s throw from the Loews Theater complex, is a terrific spot to enjoy creative but casual cuisine before or after the movie. Not catching a flick? Kick back on the patio in the warmer months for outdoor dining and people watching. Across the parking lot is TGI Friday’s, a great spot for watching the big game with a beer, a burger, and a lot of new friends. At Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse, hearty portions are served up hot and fast in an old-fashioned lodge setting. Also, mechanical animals “speak” intermittently, providing endless entertainment for antsy little ones, if not some eye-rolling from the staff. 90 Pleasant Valley St., 978-946-9333, attheloop.com/methuen.

SHOPPING/TO DO

Guitar Garage
Guitar expert Jack Galvin specializes in selling guitars from some of the world’s largest retailers, not to mention bluegrass instruments, drum kits, wind instruments, amplifiers, and a host of accessories for the serious musician or the weekend jam band. Not sure what to do with that new Fender? Not a problem. Guitar Garage offers lessons for beginners on up, taught by formally trained professional musicians. 4 Hampshire St., 978-682-9630, theguitargarage.com.

Mann Orchards
Mann Orchards is the oldest business in Methuen, having started out as a small farm in 1877. Through many decades, and thanks to the dedicated efforts of several generations of the Mann family, it remains a local favorite, unsurpassed for fresh produce and homemade baked goods. Their newer, larger location has allowed for the addition of Country Lunches, a weekday offering of soups, salads, sandwiches, and quiches made onsite. Don’t forget to pick up a famous Mann apple pie to bring home, too; there’s a reason Ruth Mann’s family recipe has been around for 50 years. 27 Pleasant Valley St., 978-683-0361, mannorchards.com.

Forest Lake
With the snow flying in full force, it’s time to bundle up for an afternoon of old-fashioned fun at this local recreation spot where laughing children on ice skates are as common a sight as ice fishermen perched waiting for that cold water catch. In the warmer weather, boaters find their way to the shoreline ramps to take to the water, while swimming lessons are in full swing come summer vacation. The lake is for residents only, but fishermen from all over are always welcome. Ridgewood Ln., 978-983-8590, cityofmethuen.net.

The Loop
Longtime residents who remember the site of the old Methuen Mall can tell you what a phenomenal boost this outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complex has provided their city. Stores like Gap, Gap Kids, Old Navy, and Bath & Body Works are a draw for residents of the Merrimack Valley and beyond, as are restaurants like Not Your Average Joe’s, Friday’s, and Bugaboo Creek. A state-of-the-art Loews Cinema houses twenty movie screens, while next-door neighbor Starbucks caters to the “kick back and caffeinate” crowd. Borders offers a cultural twist, with an extensive selection of books and music, an in store cafe, and musical entertainment. For everyday needs, it’s a short jaunt between Stop & Shop, Home Depot, and Zoots dry cleaners. One of five such venues developed and managed by The Wilder Companies of Boston, The Loop also participates in community-based events and programs, such as showcasing local art or offering horse-drawn carriage rides for families during the holidays. 90 Pleasant Valley St., 978- 946- 9333, attheloop.com/methuen.