Red Robin opens doors on Boston Road

Date: 2/23/2009

By Courtney Llewellyn

Reminder Assistant Editor



WILBRAHAM -- By 11:30 a.m. on opening day, the new Red Robin Gourmet Burgers restaurant's tables were already filling up for lunch.

State Rep. Angelo Puppolo was there with his family, as was Sen. Gale Candaras, on Feb. 16.

"We are delighted to have Red Robin here in Wilbraham," Candaras said, "and having them open now speaks to the strength of the surrounding area. The [Boston Road] corridor remains vital."

Puppolo agreed, adding that he was very pleased to see the restaurant open in Wilbraham.

"It's great, especially in this economy, to see a new business open up," the representative said.

The Wilbraham establishment is the sixth opened by the Red Robin office based in East Hartford, Conn., which services all of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts.

Rob Hawley, senior vice-president of Red Robin, said he is happy to be part of the community. The building took approximately five months to build and the new restaurant has hired over 120 workers from the area.

The new Red Robin has also chosen a charity partner in the community the Friends of the Wilbraham Library. During its first week of operation, Red Robin collected 50 cents from every burger ordered and donated it to the non-profit group.

"What better program than the library [to receive these funds]," Hawley said. "I think it's a good time for us to promote and raise well needed funds for the community."

Hawley explained that each Red Robin has a charity partner.

The Wilbraham Red Robin is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Red Robin's claim to fame is its gourmet burgers and "bottomless" steak fries. It also offers salads, chicken sandwiches and appetizers.

For more information on the restaurant and to see the Wilbraham location's menu, visit www.redrobin.com.