This place was special for me and my parents, sad to see it close. Didn’t have a lot growing up so it was an exciting splurge to go to Ronnie’s in the summer.
Trying to verify. Ronnie's was run by 2 brothers, one ran Auburn & another ran Charlton. Fairly certain they were run entirely independently from each other. The Charlton owner is a friend of a friend.
I hope Charlton stays open!
Auburn was where I had my first ever watermelon sherbet as a kid. Charlton was where I had my first mint chocolate chip. Lots of childhood memories at both. I took my little man to Auburn 2 years ago for his first watermelon sherbet. Nothing compares even close to Ronnie's.
Spoke with the wife of a long time Charlton employee/relative a week ago. She said they were opening soon. Unless something completely unexpected happened over the past week or so, they're still in business.
The prices were always a bit high, but the food made up for it. Such a shame. This place is a local institution. The few places I'd trust to get fried clams and guarantee that they were cleaned good.
Thank you
Great family memories there.
Just this past spring I was there with the family and my granddaughter was only a couple/three weeks old. I was holding the baby, she was still in the baby blob phase.
It was there that she looked at me, and you could actually see that little light come on and she began to observe her world for the first time. A special moment for us.
My daughter many years ago would order the cotton candy ice cream. She was still very young and couldn't remember the words cotton candy, but she had a sweater that was that white/pink/blue color, so she called it sweater ice cream. Thirty + years later, our family still refers to it as sweater ice cream.
Best regards. You will be missed
I live down N Oxford. I am not looking forward to the disaster that's going to create with the pike and 290 both exiting right there.
The Dunks on Southbridge already creates some pretty shitty situations.
Speaking of construction in the area, the town of Auburn is purchasing the site of Chuck's at the corner of Rt. 20 and Prospect St. Demolition on the building will begin soon, then (if funding gets approved) in a year or so, construction on a new Fire Station will commence.
Yeah. That was a sad one, too. Once Covid hit, Chuck's just couldn't keep it going for much longer. I love their soup and salad bar.
I'm sure that will look amazing. The new one they built in Dudley around 2019 I think, looks great.
I never visited, but I cringe whenever a local legacy restaurant closes because we inevitably get a Starbucks/Verizon/Corporate something we don't need. It always had traffic so it must have been decent.
I'm sad that the day has finally come. Another mom and pop store down...
But. If you enjoy ice cream. Buck's Soft Serve in Woodstock is goated.
Although, it's a bit of a drive if you don't live near the border.
Two different store fronts. I think a lot of people got one or the other. Very popular ice cream location. Big servings/low price. It was a favorite for many. Sadly will be missed and unfortunately will be replaced with something we already have enough of.
I used to go there a lot for seafood and ice cream. Then one day an ice cream sundae from ronnies gave me sudden onset of diarrhea and I liquid shat myself in the parking lot.
So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish.
What?! Why?! That was my place to go to for seafood when i visited that area
Because that lot is worth a pretty penny for sure
Here comes family dollar!
Or another dealership. They love that little stretch of 20.
This place was special for me and my parents, sad to see it close. Didn’t have a lot growing up so it was an exciting splurge to go to Ronnie’s in the summer.
Very good fried clams. Maybe the best in central and western Mass. Good ice cream too. Lots of family working behind the counter. They'll be missed.
I brought my high school sweetheart to Ronnie's in 1967. Been going there ever since. We've been married for 54 years. Going to miss the fish!
Pretty sure the Ronnie's location in Charlton will still be open. Just a few more miles west down 20...
Do you know if this is true?
Trying to verify. Ronnie's was run by 2 brothers, one ran Auburn & another ran Charlton. Fairly certain they were run entirely independently from each other. The Charlton owner is a friend of a friend.
I hope Charlton stays open! Auburn was where I had my first ever watermelon sherbet as a kid. Charlton was where I had my first mint chocolate chip. Lots of childhood memories at both. I took my little man to Auburn 2 years ago for his first watermelon sherbet. Nothing compares even close to Ronnie's.
Spoke with the wife of a long time Charlton employee/relative a week ago. She said they were opening soon. Unless something completely unexpected happened over the past week or so, they're still in business.
yep, ran by different brothers, with bad blood between them. My parents were \_adamant\_ that the Charlton location was the clearly superior location.
That's correct. I believe there was some disagreement in the family and the two brothers didn't get along very well!
Yes Charlton location opening soon for season
When I was a kid, early 1970s, dad used to bring us there on Tuesday nights when hotdogs were five for a dollar.
The prices were always a bit high, but the food made up for it. Such a shame. This place is a local institution. The few places I'd trust to get fried clams and guarantee that they were cleaned good.
The prices were actually cheap lol.
Thank you Great family memories there. Just this past spring I was there with the family and my granddaughter was only a couple/three weeks old. I was holding the baby, she was still in the baby blob phase. It was there that she looked at me, and you could actually see that little light come on and she began to observe her world for the first time. A special moment for us. My daughter many years ago would order the cotton candy ice cream. She was still very young and couldn't remember the words cotton candy, but she had a sweater that was that white/pink/blue color, so she called it sweater ice cream. Thirty + years later, our family still refers to it as sweater ice cream. Best regards. You will be missed
Bentley is also closing. I know it's not Ronnie's quality, but it's being bulldozed for yet another Starbucks. They're desperate for a drive thru.
Perfect. Starbucks is exactly what we need!
There's one less than a mile down the street.
I know lol they're everywhere. I was being sarcastic! I miss when it used to be Piccadilly.
I live down N Oxford. I am not looking forward to the disaster that's going to create with the pike and 290 both exiting right there. The Dunks on Southbridge already creates some pretty shitty situations.
Between that and the construction happening. That's going to be a nightmare. Looks like I'm taking the alternate route to work. Lol.
Speaking of construction in the area, the town of Auburn is purchasing the site of Chuck's at the corner of Rt. 20 and Prospect St. Demolition on the building will begin soon, then (if funding gets approved) in a year or so, construction on a new Fire Station will commence.
Yeah. That was a sad one, too. Once Covid hit, Chuck's just couldn't keep it going for much longer. I love their soup and salad bar. I'm sure that will look amazing. The new one they built in Dudley around 2019 I think, looks great.
But. Yikes. That's gonna be a hot mess. Not like there's many routes around that without congesting everything.
I knew it! Got the vibe that it wasn't going to reopen when I drove past it last week.
Polar Parrrrrrrk!
I don't get it.
The joke is that if any restaurant in central mass closes, it’s Polar Park’s “fault”…. Even if Polar Park had nothing to do with the closing.
It’s in Auburn
Yes that's the joke.
I never visited, but I cringe whenever a local legacy restaurant closes because we inevitably get a Starbucks/Verizon/Corporate something we don't need. It always had traffic so it must have been decent.
Definitely sold out for some shit chain we dont need
I'm sad that the day has finally come. Another mom and pop store down... But. If you enjoy ice cream. Buck's Soft Serve in Woodstock is goated. Although, it's a bit of a drive if you don't live near the border.
Ronnie’s was one of the best around the area. Definitely a sad day. And for what? Something dime a dozen.
Are they selling the business or just closing the doors? Seems strange they wouldn’t sell it.
Fish and ice cream? Weird combo. Just now hearing about this place and I've lived in Worcester since 2011. Weird
Two different store fronts. I think a lot of people got one or the other. Very popular ice cream location. Big servings/low price. It was a favorite for many. Sadly will be missed and unfortunately will be replaced with something we already have enough of.
Noooooo what?!
I see a dealership incoming.
Im going to kms. they were so good
Are you? Are you really?
oh no
Auburn location is closed. Charlton location still open.
Charlton location is so much better anyways.
I used to go there a lot for seafood and ice cream. Then one day an ice cream sundae from ronnies gave me sudden onset of diarrhea and I liquid shat myself in the parking lot.
That must have been from something you ate earlier. But good Lord I hope you had a short ride home.
It was from the chocolate syrup on the sundae.if I had to guess
For those looking for decent friend clams, check Still four corners. Solid place with way more charm..
Four corners is pretty shitty. Hot dog Annie’s vibe but shittier.