THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, NOVEmbEr 22, 2024 Page 7 History of the Hammersmith Family Restaurant ty cornerstone. Today, the restaurant remains in family hands, operated by Costa and Niki’s children and their families. Their daughter Debbie and her husband Peter Politis, along with their son Angelo Agganis and his wife Angie, have carried on the tradition of home-style cooking that makes every guest feel like family. Peter and Angelo work in the kitchen, while Debbie and Angie provide the warm and welcoming service the restaurant is known for. The family’s commitment to each other and to the restaurant has been instrumental in its sucRESTAURANT | SEE PAGE 9 He’s Back...and Better Than Ever! John A. Fitzpatrick (Fitzy) A FAMILY AFFAIR: The Agganis family celebrates 50 years of ownership of the Hammersmith Family Restaurant, which Costa and Niki Agganis began in 1974. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) (Editor’s Note: After the Board of Selectmen presented a citation congratulating the Hammersmith Family Restaurant on its 50th anniversary in Saugus, we reached out to the owners to provide their own story about their family and how the restaurant got started. Stacey Politis, a third-generation member of the Agganis family who has worked at Hammersmith since she was 14, wrote this article for The Saugus Advocate. Her grandparents who started the business still live in Saugus. Costa is 93. Niki is 84.) By Stacey Politis W hen Costa Agganis arrived in America in 1969 with his wife, Niki, and their young family, he brought with him a strong work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit and a dream of a better life. In 1974, that dream became a reality when he opened Hammersmith Family Restaurant in Saugus. While Costa initially partnered with one of his brothers in the early days, it was Costa and Niki who ultimately established the restaurant on their own, laying the foundation for what would become a beloved local institution. Costa’s journey began far from Saugus, in the village of Logganiko, Greece. After serving as an Evzone in the Greek Presidential Guard and spending a decade in Canada, Costa arrived in America with just 50 cents in his pocket and a deep resolve to succeed. With the support of the local Greek community and his family’s restaurant experience, Costa built Hammersmith Family Restaurant into a communiSales & Lease Consultant Direct: 617.410.1030 Main: 617.381.9000 Cell: 617.279.9962 jfitzpatrick@mcgovernauto.com jfitzpatrick McGovern Automotive Group 100 Broadway, Rte. 99, Everett It’s Time to Review Your Medicare Plan Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period is October 15 — December 7 Plan benefits may change from year to year, so it’s important to see if there might be another option that works better. This may be the only time to change your plan and enroll in a Medicare plan. I am a licensed insurance agent and can provide a no-cost, no-obligation review of the Medicare plans available in your area. You Can Get It All in One Plan With a Medicare Advantage Plan, you get all the Medicare-covered services provided by Original Medicare and sometimes more. Most Medicare Advantage Plans include drug coverage (Part D). Insurance companies may also offer more than one plan in an area, with different benefits and costs. I represent multiple insurance companies so that means you can see more options that work for you. I’ll help you find a plan where your medical and drug benefits are covered in one plan and better fit your budget. All it takes is one phone call. Contact Me to Find Out More! Jordan Goudreau 978-852-4923 or Archangel Advisors (TTY:711) Nick Brunzell 305-710-4130 J.Archangel@Outlook.com A DOWNTOWN DINING SPOT: The Hammersmith Family Restaurant at 330 Central St. has been serving up meals for Saugus and area customers since 1974. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) This is a solicitation of insurance. Contact may be made by an insurance agent or insurance company. Not affiliated with or endorsed by any government entity or agency. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 2 organizations, which offer products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY: 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all your options. CareFree384a 8/2023 27
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