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Church serves up change near Arlington Town Hall
A block with businesses long familiar to Arlington residents is being transformed as a new face in town undergoes some changes of its own. Three businesses across from Town Hall have closed within a short time span to make way for the expansion of the Highrock church, which has seen its attendance increase dramatically. On Dec. 29 the Town Hall restaurant served its last breakfast in its tiny space at 735 Mass. Ave. “It’s very sad,” said Donna Stathoulopoulos. She and her husband, John, had operated the eatery since September 1986, and the site had been the home of other restaurants long before the Stathoulopoulos family took over. “Families grew up here,” she said.
 Highrock block: The former Greek church and business spaces owned by an evangelical congregation.
Closed: Realty office, barber shop, restaurant
The restaurant’s final day took place only a few months after the closing last summer of the Town Hall Barber Shop, whose owner, James McGough, retired. Regal Management has fmoved to 223 Mass. Ave., not far from the Capitol Theater.
 Inside the Town Hall Restaurant on its last day, Dec. 29, 2007.
The eatery closed because the couple and church officials could not reach an agreement about the lease, which had been month to month. The couple wanted a long-term lease; the church did not.
The church is using the site of the real estate company for a classroom and for a youth group. The site of McGough's barbershop is now the office of the pastor, David Swaim. The church is uncertain how it will use the space the restaurant has occupied.
The church is "not eager to take over the space," said The Rev. Eugene P. Kim, associate pastor of Highrock said. "We were hoping the tenant would stay."
He added: "We have enjoyed their french toast .... We're sad they're going, too."
Whatever the use for a space that has been a place of camaraderie for generations, the closing occurs as the church is growing.
Attendance at Sunday services has grown from 250 when Highrock arrived in town from Davis Square to an estimated 450 participants today.
Highrock bought the properties from St. Athanasius Greek Orthodox Church, a deal completed in the spring of 2005 for an estimated $1.7 million. The Greek church had been a fixture at 735 Mass. Ave. since 1964. After its final service there on Nov. 27, 2005, the congregation moved to the former St. James the Apostle Roman Catholic Church at 4 Appleton.
On the gray morning the restaurant closed, Herb Farnsworth of Arlington, whose son operates the Hometown Garage in Burlington, was among those customers saying their goodbyes. A customer for 30 years, he said the restaurant has been "like a second family" to him. He noted it has long been a favorite gathering place for Arlington senior citizens.
 Highrock sign at former Greek Church.
Now the block is becoming a gathering place for the church's faithful.
The Rev. Eugene P. Kim, associate pastor of Highrock, said the church did not know yet just how the restaurant space would be used. Swaim was unavailable for comment until February.
Whatever the use for a space that has been a place of cameraderie for generations, the closing occurs as the church is growing.
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Enuma Elish
performs "Metropolis" Thursday, Nov. 20, at 8 p.m. at the Regent
Theater. General admission...
