Economic Development & Industrial Corporation of Lynn

Tony Lena comes out of retirement to re-open Boston Street sub shop

July 17, 2012
By Kait Taylor/The Daily Item

Tony Lena tried to retire from the world of pizza, calzones and Italian sandwiches, but it didn’t take him too long to come right back.

“I missed the seven-day-a-week action,” he said. “I like the action.”

Four years after Lena closed his iconic sub shop at 617 Boston St. to commit to retirement and manage a tennis club, he re-opened Monday to a flurry of customers.

“It’s been wicked busy, as expected,” he said shortly after opening.

Lena had spent 10 years at the Boston Street space before he closed his doors in 2008, but the roots of the Lena’s business began long before that. Lena got his start working in his father Sam Lena’s sub shops, which started in Vinnin Square in 1945.

Lena’s image hadn’t completely disappeared since he closed. His daughters have been running a Tony Lena’s sub shop for the last 21 years.

“They knew what they were doing,” he said.

Tony Lena, left, and Lynn City Councilor Rick Ford hold a “Tony Lena’s” sign at Tony Lena’s Sandwich Shop on Friday. Lena closed the shop in 2008 when he went into retirement, but re-opened the Boston Street location on Monday. (Item Photo / Angela Owens)

When two businesses that took over the space at 617 Boston St. failed, Lena jumped at the chance to re-open. “It’s been a lot to put together — a lot of details. But it’s done, and we’re doing it. It’s kind of chaotic right now, but I’m excited,” he said.

City Councilor Rick Ford, a close friend of Lena’s, owns the Little River Inn breakfast place across the street. “The whole neighborhood’s excited,” said Ford. “People like Tony because he’s more personable. Plus he makes a great sandwich — it’s the way he cuts the bread.”

Lena said, “When I saw people after I was gone, they were (upset I left). People are going to be happy we’re back, and I’m happy they’re happy. It’s a win-win.”

Manager Janet Drak said the anticipation of the opening had hungry customers walking in asking when they would be cooking again.

“I have seen a lot of people I don’t even know coming off the street,” she said.

Aside from some remodeling, Lena promises everything will be exactly as it used to be, from the way the shop makes the “specialty” Italian sub to the punch cards that allow for a free large cheese pizza or regular-sized sandwich after 12 punches.

“Everything’s the same way we’ve been doing it since 1985,” said Lena.

Though one thing, he said, is different: “I’m approaching it as a fun project instead of a business,” he said. Rather than “the fight for every dollar,” Lena is feeling stress-free behind the counter, and said he will not be retiring anymore.

“I’ll be open forever now,” he said. “This can be a retirement for me now.”

One other thing that Lena has changed is the hours. “No late nights,” he said. The shop will be open Sunday through Wednesday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Ford said he was excited about the community benefit of Lena’s re-opening. “He’s real community-oriented. I think that ties into it.”

For more information about the re-opening of Tony Lena’s, visit the shop or call ahead to place your order at 781-581-3435.

Kait Taylor can be reached at ktaylor@itemlive.com

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