ROYALSTON, Mass. — The only restaurant in Royalston was destroyed by a fire Tuesday afternoon.
Volunteer firefighters from Royalston teamed up with firefighters from several area departments to help battle the blaze at Pete & Henry’s on Main Street just before 3 p.m.
Video from the scene shows intense flames and thick, black smoke pouring from the roof of the restaurant. At one point, firefighters were forced from the building and had to tackle the flames from the outside.
Ken Bassett told Boston 25 News Pete & Henry's was well-known for their fried food and cold beer.
“They always had the coldest beer and their chicken nuggets were to die for,” Bassett told Boston 25 News. “But one of the greatest things was no cell service there. People actually visited with one another while dining.”
Bassett said the entryway was filled with Polaroid pictures of people visiting the restaurant from many years ago.
“My nephew’s picture was there from at least 20 years ago,” Bassett said. “A lot of memories in that restaurant.”
The fire is believed to have started in the kitchen, but the official cause is under investigation.
Pete & Henry's is not open on Tuesdays. It’s unclear if anyone was inside at the time of the fire.
This month, John and Terry Cloutier are celebrating 31 years as owners of Pete & Henry’s.
Pete and Henry Dufault opened the restaurant as a bar room in the woods of South Royalston in 1956. In the 1950s, the only food served was their own special pizza. The menu expanded the following decade. In 1971, the Dufault brothers sold the business to Bill and Ginny Cloutier. John and Terry Cloutier took over the restaurant in 1987.
“Throughout the years, long-time patrons have entertained us with memories of parties, music, dancing, good fun and always, great food,” according to Pete & Henry’s Facebook page. “It’s our pleasure to continue to serve you ‘always great food’ in the tradition of Pete & Henry.”
Royalston is a small town located in Worcester County with a population of about 1,300.