'Really Set A Trend': Council Moves To Honor Espresso Owners

MEDFORD, MA — An iconic pizza parlor and college hangout may be gone, but the city council wants to cement its legacy in West Medford.

The council voted 7-0 Tuesday to request that the administration dedicate the corner of Winthrop Street and Boston Avenue to the Salvato family, which owned Espresso Pizza for more than 40 years.

"I don't think there's anyone who either went to Tufts or lives in most areas of West Medford who hasn't had Espresso Pizza," Councilor Richard Caraviello said.

The resolution was introduced by Councilor Adam Knight, who is from the neighborhood and said Espresso Pizza "really set a trend up there," becoming one of the first businesses to get an extended hours license.

The restaurant closed last month due to owner Patty Moore's retirement. Moore took over the business after her brother, founder and longtime owner Anthony Salvato Jr., died in 2010.

"When he passed away, I was determined to keep his legacy alive. After 9 great but long and exhausting years, I will be retiring, and Espresso pizza will be permanently closing," Moore wrote on Facebook in December.

At Tuesday's meeting, councilors reflected on the business's impact in West Medford.

"On Friday, Saturday nights, they used to turn the phone off, the calls were coming in so fast and furious," Caraviello said. "At one point they had 17, 18 drivers on the weekends."

"They were always one of the first businesses to give back to the community," Councilor George Scarpelli added.

The storefront on Boston Avenue hasn't remained empty long. Pini's Pizzeria relocated to the space from Somerville and opened Jan. 23.