The development, built by David Framm between fall 2017 and earlier this year, is on the corner of Island Pond Road and Route 111 in a southeast section of Derry that closely borders Hampstead and Salem. The restaurant is on the corner of the development, hence the name. On The Corner Grill owner George Chichio said the business is technically a continuation of a restaurant called Buono Panini at 428 S. Broadway in Salem. Buono Panini closed at the end of August. The rebrand is in part because he wanted to convey that the menu has much more than paninis.
The restaurant has a full bar, espresso cafe, and complete lunch and dinner menus and is fully staffed with 23 full- and part-time employees. A grand opening ceremony will be planned for later this month.
When the opportunity to buy the restaurant first came up there was resistance at first. In recent years, the area of South Broadway in Salem was losing businesses and foot traffic, and there was too much competition from other restaurants and bars. Plus, the building was set back from the road and hard for motorists to notice. The old restaurant had 76 seats and the new restaurant in Derry has 86 seats mostly because of a larger bar.
The success of The OTC Grill has been phenomenal. The Cowbell Corner development was approved by the Planning Board in March of 2015, according to Assistant Town Planner Elizabeth Robidoux. About half of the 31,500-square-foot retail building has been filled. Aside from On The Corner Grill, there is a nail salon and kids gym space. A space to be used for a barber shop and salon is still being renovated.
ldnews@unionleader.comCREDIT: Union Leader (11/15/18)
RYAN LESSARD/Union Leader Correspondent