Here’s a look at the businesses that are moving in and out of Methuen.
NOW OPEN
*Aroma Joe’s: Newly built location at 65 Haverhill St., opened last month. Methuen’s original AJ’s is located inside Merrimack Health Methuen (formerly Holy Family Hospital).
*RIKKO Kitchen: Now open and offering Latin fusion at 176 Pelham St.
NEW OWNER
*LoConte’s: The pizza and roast beef shop at 689 Prospect St. – which old-timers might know as Vinny’s Star Haven Pizza – has new owners. Watch for the Mario’s Pizza and More sign going up soon. Paul LoConte teased on social media that he’ll be opening another business, but offered no specifics.
ANNIVERSARIES
*Piro’s Bakery: Pies, cookies and bread … oh my! Congrats to Piro’s on Merrimack Street as they celebrate 40 SWEET years in business. Follow them on social media for specials …
IN THE WORKS
*Hampstead Manor: Renovations continue at the fixture at the end of Hampstead Street, near Route 97. The transformation will result in a steakhouse and martini bar. They continue to go through the city inspection process, per city officials.
*Namaste Bazaar: Indian snacks, spices, café and more, located at the former Joann Fabrics in the Village Mall on Broadway. Still going through the inspections process, as of MethuenLife press time.
*Take 5 oil-change shop: 465 Broadway, in the long-vacant lot next to Rostron’s, has a building-permit application pending.
BEYOND THE BORDER
*Staples, Party City partnership: Staples recently welcomed Party City to its Salem location at 176 S. Broadway, Suite 5. The balloon and party-goods store has teamed with Staples’ print and marketing services, aiming to personalize your celebration with a single stop. It’s a comeback for Party City, which filed for bankruptcy in 2023 and 2024. The new partnership is taking place at more than 700 locations nationwide and at Staples.com.
*Mark’s Deli owner Stavros Dimakis announced on social media in late March that, after 51 years, he has turned over his popular Railroad Square business “to someone we know and trust.” His father Tony opened the restaurant, which features an array of delicious diner food and Greek specialties.
*Haverhill Beef recently announced that they’ll be moving from Merrimack Street into the former Chicken Connection spot at 242 Broadway, Haverhill. Move expected to take place around late May.
*Rockingham Grand Casino: The current 19,000-square-foot Salem Casino at the Mall at Rockingham Park temporarily closed March 9 at 1am as it works to complete its 160,000-square-foot, two-floor space. There will be “approximately 825 historical racing machines, 32 gaming tables, a sports bar and other dining venues, retail sports betting, event spaces for entertainment and gathering,” and more, per casino officials. Aiming for a mid-2027 opening. New name: Rockingham Grand Casino!
