Wahlburgers at MGM Springfield to open next summer

Sept. 25, 2019 | Payton North
payton@thereminder.com

Chef Paul Wahlberg spoke at the Wahlburgers groundbreaking in Springfield on Sept. 20.
Reminder Publishing photo by G. Michael Dobbs

SPRINGFIELD – MGM Springfield and numerous local and state officials welcomed chef and reality television star Paul Wahlberg to the casino on Sept. 20 for the groundbreaking of the Wahlberg family’s burger chain, Wahlburgers.

Wahlburgers is a casual dining burger and bar restaurant that was founded by Mark, Donnie, and Chef Paul Wahlberg. The interior of the location is filled with memorabilia and photos celebrating the brother’s journeys to success from Dorchester kids to rising chef and international superstars.

MGM Springfield President Michael Mathis thanked the Wahlburgers group for “taking a chance on Springfield.” He continued to explain that the Wahlburgers is an “exciting company.”

“They [Wahlburgers] represent a lot of the things that we believe in here at MGM. Reinvesting in the local community, making sure that we provide jobs to people, and provide exciting programming and a great product at an affordable price,” Mathis stated.

Mathis continued, noting that “So much of what we’re trying to do here at MGM is about redeveloping the downtown beyond our four corners – and it’s happening. It’s not happening as fast as any of us would like to, but it’s certainly happening very, very quickly.

He turned the discussion briefly to the new CVS flagship store, which is under construction downtown. The location will be 12,000 square feet, and it is a $2 million building. Mathis noted that this location will “employ a bunch of local people,” and right next to it, is the Head Start Child Development center.

“We just toured [Head Start] this morning, 85 young kids getting a great start to life. Their parents, a lot of whom are our employees here at MGM, are able to drop their kids off at a world–class facility, come here and work, and pick them back up. I’m so proud of that,” Mathis said.

“This is a special occasion – this is just one more domino to fall on the redevelopment of Main Street and the downtown,” Mathis added.

Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno stated that he was “elated” to have Wahlburgers join the MGM facilities, and shared a portion of a conversation he shared with Paul Wahlberg on “proud cities.”

“When I was talking to Chef Paul, he mentioned coming from the Boston area – proud cities; proud cities that came from the industrial bases. Gritty – in a good way – blue collar, middle class. And Springfield, especially downtown, across urban America, we’re reinventing ourselves,” Sarno said.

Chairwoman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, Cathy Judd-Stein, came before the crowd at the groundbreaking, explaining that the “milestone” of adding Wahlburgers to downtown “signifies the continued strengthening of Springfield’s downtown,” and that it is “evidence of an empowered community that continues to attract new businesses and growth.”

Wahlberg came before the crowd, and first and foremost, thanked the City of Springfield.

“I, in a million years, never could have imagined I’d find myself in this position. Being able to represent my family and opening yet another location. I would’ve been happy with one – I was happy working in the kitchen and doing my thing, but being able to come out here to Springfield, to offer opportunities to people, offer jobs, and being part of the revitalization of the city is pretty amazing,” Wahlberg commented. “We are so blessed and so proud to be able to say Massachusetts is our home and it will always be our home, regardless of where we are, where we go. To be part of that in the western part of the state and in such a historic city is really, really amazing for us.”

Wahlburgers is going to be a 4,400 square foot space, with a 1,600 square foot outdoor patio. The location will be providing 120 restaurant jobs, not including the construction jobs that the build will provide.

Wahlburgers offers not only a variety of fresh burgers, but also house-made condiments, crispy haddock, seared chicken and vegetarian options. The restaurants also offer gluten free options. In addition to foods, Wahlburgers has a full–service bar, adult frappes, cocktails, wines and beers.

The Wahlberg family wrapped 10 seasons of their A&E Network, Emmy–nominated reality show, “Wahlburgers,” which follows the three brothers and their mother, Alma’s, efforts to grow the family business. The show also offers a peek into their daily lives.

In addition to Mathis, Sarno, Judd-Stein and Wahlberg, Gaming Commission member Bruce Stebbins, Springfield City Council members Melvin Edwards, Adam Gomez and Jesse Lederman, state Rep. Angelo Puppolo, state Rep. Jose Tosado and state Sen. Eric Lesser joined the group for the groundbreaking photo, showing their support for the Wahlburgers opening.

Wahlburgers Springfield is set to open in summer of 2020. The restaurant will be located at the corner of Union and Main Streets, with an address of 1028 Main St. in Springfield. Wahlburgers plans to have dining hours of Sunday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight. The hours, however, are subject to change.

 

Share this: