Iconic Salem Willows Restaurant Reboot Shutters After 2 Seasons
SALEM, MA — When Spitfire Tacos owners Ryan Harriman and Kathleen Rodgers reopened the iconic Salem Lowe Chinese food location in Salem Willows in 2023, Harriman told Patch: “We wanted to give it new energy, new life.
“We’re hoping it can last another 50 to 60 years.”
But after two seasons, Harriman and Rodgers said on social media this week that they have decided not to reopen the reboot for a third season next spring.
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“We did our best to try and save a piece of history,” they said. “We learned a lot.”
The statement said the pair spent the last three years on the project and that it was “time for us to move on.”
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They also own Spitfire Tacos locations in Salem and Marblehead.
Founding owner David Yee said the summer of 2022 would be his last before retirement after 50 years of running the business. Harriman said the landlord who bought the building then approached him and Rodgers about possibly giving the space a second life.
They agreed and worked with the Yee family to get the original recipes for items on the menu.
“It really worked out organically,” Harriman said at the time. “I’ve always loved that place. I have been going there since I moved up here 15 years ago.”
Harriman told Patch that the goal was to perfect the classics such as the fried rice, lo mein and, of course, the chop suey sandwich, while adding their own touch to some of the other menu items much the same way they did with traditional Mexican dishes at Spitfire.
“The Salem Willows is a special place and we look forward to the next chapter and its future,” the owners said in Monday’s message.
They said the space is now for rent for the person or group committed to that next chapter.
“The space is available for anyone who is interested,” they said. “Spread the word.”
(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)
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