Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine Hull.
Back at the turn of the century, Magnolia’s astonishing natural beauty attracted wealthy clientele to its shores and hotels. This luxury vacation destination boasted the Oceanside Hotel, the largest wooden structure on the Northern Seaboard at that time. It hosted the wealthy and famous such as the Sears & Roebuck families, John Phillips Sousa and Lucille Ball to name a few. As the invent of the automobile allowed for greater and easier travel distances and the Oceanside was lost to fire, Magnolia’s hey-day passed her by.
She became a sleepy bedroom village of Gloucester, but still revered for her natural beauty and amazing shoreline. Now, Magnolia’s main thoroughfare, Lexington is under a renaissance of sorts. New businesses, new pavement, new sidewalks and attracting businesses and customers alike.
The former Patio Restaurant was a Lexington Avenue landmark for 40 years. The beloved owners, Finney & Irene Burke decided it was time to retire and they put the property and the business up for sale. Eric Loiacano purchased the building and business and a floor to ceiling renovation began.
Eric along with Catherine, the GM of all divisions of Loiacano Companies, a Board Member and Treasurer of the Magnolia Historical Society and lifelong Magnolia resident wanted to incorporate design elements of showcasing Magnolia’s history, she coined the new name, “the 525 Tavern” in ode to the phone exchange of the little hamlet of Magnolia (locals would know this number well) and a design idea formulated. When you visit the 525 Tavern, you will find beautiful black and white historic photos depicting classic Magnolia, some as early as the 1890’s, along with antique Edison bulbs and a modern, yet historical industrial chic look. Eric designed a curved bar so that it invited conversation to help maintain the close-knit neighborhood feel.
We serve creative comfort food and rocking cocktails.
Has it been a smooth road?
We had an entirely new construction build out, including all walls, floors and ceilings, new building codes in an old building, exterior construction and the recession was still on Lexington Avenue.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Magnolia 525 Tavern – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Eric owns and operates anywhere between 6-12 businesses at once. As the General Manager of all divisions, I’m always busy and my days fly by. We own self storage, a restaurant and real estate brokerage just to name a few, so each day is a different professional challenge for me. I love my work and my company, we try to integrate well into every neighborhood we do business in and we recently installed solar panels so all our companies will run off the sun and the advantage we have is our staff, without the dedicated and passionate staff we have, nothing would be possible, that sets us apart from the others, passion.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Boston and its outer suburbs are the smallest, largest friendliest city you will find. I love the diversity we offer and our old New England customs and charm, those are complimented by our first in the nation healthcare and educational opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Address: 12 Lexington Avenue, Magnolia ,MA 01930
- Website: 525magnolia.com
- Phone: 978-525-3230
- Email: info@525magnolia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magnolia_525_tavern/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magnolia525/
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