Regulars are relieved: Ritcey's is set to reopen
Ritcey's Seafood Kitchen, one of Waltham's oldest restaurants, will reopen in the spring under not-so-new management. The fourth-generation family business will continue, as Tim Ritcey passes on the responsibility of the legacy to his younger sister, Kim Collins.
The popular dining spot at 560 Moody St. closed suddenly Jan. 22, leaving many customers wondering why the fish-and-chips restaurant had shut down after 93 years of business.
''We've had people call us saying, 'We have gift certificates; what are we going do with them?' " said John Peacock, executive director of the Waltham West Chamber of Commerce.
But fear not, gift-certificate holders. Collins is preparing to reopen April 1.
Located in the city's Southside neighborhood, Ritcey's Seafood Kitchen drew a loyal customer base of senior citizens, city workers, and local pols. Business had been lagging in recent years, Collins said.
Regular customer Frank Darcy did not expect Ritcey's to close.
''All of a sudden it just closed," said Darcy, 60. ''It's been around a long, long, long time. I've been going since I was a little kid. I hope the tradition will continue. If it does open, we'll be back."
Collins, 38, is determined to revive the place and lure back customers like Darcy. The official name of the restaurant will be changed to Seafood Restaurant Inc., but the familiar baby-blue ''Ritcey's Seafood Kitchen" exterior sign with the red lobster logo will remain.
Collins has spent weeks cleaning up the 80-seat eatery, which will not allow smoking when it reopens.
She ordered new kitchen equipment and decided to return to using vegetable oil to give the fried seafood a lighter taste. Her brother switched to cooking with canola oil a couple of years ago, she said.
''We've always had great customers," said Collins. ''Anything that changes, they know."
Collins commissioned an artist to paint a seascape mural behind the seven counter seats in the dining area. The rest of Ritcey's simple decor will stay intact.
''April 1st, that's my goal," said Collins, who lives in Arlington. ''After 93 years in business, [the closing] was tough for a lot of people. It means a lot to a lot of people. I've worked here all my life. To see the place go down really hurt."
Collins started working at Ritcey's when she was 8. A portrait of her great-grandfather, Ernest Ritcey, hangs above the front counter.
The Waltham institution began in 1911, when Ernest Ritcey started selling fresh fish. His son, Harry, expanded the fish market into a restaurant in the 1940s.
In 1983, Kevin Ritcey took over the family business and managed the restaurant, until he was elected as assistant city clerk for the city of Waltham. Kevin's son Tim maintained the business up until January.
Kevin Ritcey is happy that his daughter is taking over the business.
''I told her she didn't have to do it, not feel pressured to keep the family's legacy going," he said. ''But she really wanted to do it. She's a hot ticket."
Collins said the traditional menu will be offered, along with some additional surf-and-turf dishes, pasta specials, steamers, and broiled seafood choices. 