March 26, 2013
By Chris Stevens/The Daily Item

Cafe Rossetti's is the latest culinary contribution coming to the downtown, and it was a happenstance meeting between Winthrop resident Alison Goldberg and Community Development Director James Marsh that spurred the restaurant to expand to Lynn.

"She's interested in the community," Marsh said. "She brokered the relationship between Bob (Rossetti) and the city."

Cafe Rossetti's is set to open up next door to D'Amici's Bakery when it makes its move to 41 Sutton St. later this year. Robert Rossetti said previously that he had been looking to open a second restaurant for some time.

It was Goldberg who brought Marsh to lunch at Rossetti's and introduced him to the owner. Marsh said he knew the restaurant would be a good fit and he did all he could to woo him.

"Bob came out, and we gave him a tour and looked at a variety of places," Marsh said. "I remember looking at (41 Sutton). The rain was falling down, it was pouring down on top of our heads inside the building but he saw the potential."

Marsh and the Economic Development and Industrial Corporation put Rossetti together with D'Amici's owner Joe Toretta and the two worked out the details. Essentially the bakery will occupy half the building and Rossetti's will occupy the other half. The location puts both in great proximity to the Arts & Cultural District of the city, LynnArts, the Lynn Museum, Arts After Hours and the Lynn Auditorium.

Rossetti's will be open for dinner and is expected to bring 20 new jobs to the city.

"We worked hard to bring Rossetti's to Lynn and feel that with their track record and quality food they will be very successful," said EDIC Executive Director Jim Cowdell. "It's big news and it comes back to back with Kettle Cuisine coming to the Clock Tower building."

The city finalized a deal last week that will bring the soup company from Chelsea to Lynn along with about 100 new jobs.

Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy said she is thrilled to see the restaurant that has flourished in Winthrop come to Lynn.

"This restaurant will offer the residents of Lynn and the North Shore quality Italian dining and will compliment other fine establishments in downtown Lynn," she said.

Rossetti is equally excited.

"Lynn is a great fit," he said. "I've been looking for several years to expand. With the recent press that Lynn has gotten I decided to give Lynn a look. Since the moment I began working with Lynn officials, I knew that I had found a home. I know that the residents and businesses that give us a chance will be very satisfied."

Chris Stevens can be reached at cstevens@itemlive.com.