THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, November 15, 2024 Page 13 Thank You, Malden, for 32 Years For over three decades, Dockside was a proud fixture in Malden, working alongside three different mayors and their administrations. I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support our business received from the City of Malden and its people. Our ability to weather economic challenges, including the global pandemic, was made possible by the steadfast support of our landlords at Combined Properties. My heartfelt thanks go to John Pereira and the entire team at Combined Properties, whose partnership extended far beyond a simple lease agreement. Our collaborative efforts date back to the 1990s, with the Boxing Fundraiser for McDonald Stadium’s new track, the Capital Campaign Committee for the Malden YMCA, and countless other community initiatives. I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to have become so deeply rooted in the Malden community. Through partnerships with organizations like the YMCA, Triangle, and Bread of Life, and through my time on the Board of the Malden Chamber of Commerce, I’ve built lifelong friendships with Tony, Paul, and Patty. A special thank you to Kevin for his unwavering friendship and support. The Malden community has not only sustained us but also enabled us to give back in meaningful ways. Our fundraising initiatives at Dockside raised millions of dollars for local groups and organizations over the years, and I’m proud to continue this legacy of giving at our Wakefield restaurant, Main ST Grille & Taphouse. Over the years, hundreds of employees have called this location home, with many forming lifelong bonds, marriages, and even families. None of this would have been possible without the loyalty and dedication of our incredible staff and customers. Your support has been nothing short of remarkable. The impact of Covid was especially tough on independent restaurants. After the pandemic, we tried different concepts at this location, but they didn’t work out as hoped. I also explored selling the business to local restaurant groups in the fall of 2023, but those plans didn’t materialize. On February 28, I informed our landlord and staff that March 30, 2024, would be our final day of operation under my corporation. There was another proposal on the table on March 18 to keep the doors open and continue operations, but unfortunately, that did not happen, leading to the closure of 229 Centre Street on April 10. As this chapter closes, I cherish the friendships and connections I’ve built in Malden over the past 30 years and wish the community continued success. With sincere gratitude, Jack Urbaczewski Malden Dockside Inc.
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