New Ownership, Name for Iconic Restaurant

A Chelmsford staple since 1981, Vincenzo’s Ristorante will soon take new ownership and eventually a new name, with changes expected to begin this month.

Incoming owner Cathy Ribeck, currently general manager at the restaurant, plans to an eye toward making changes while keeping its basic feel, while longtime owner Vincent Cicerchia will move full-time to his Concord location.

“I’ve been here thirty years…I’m looking to move on and do other things,” said Cicerchia.

Buying Vincenzo’s represents a new opportunity for Ribeck, who said she jumped at the opportunity to buy the location from her old boss when he offered it about a year ago.

“I took him up on the offer. I thought ‘what else (would) I do,’” she said.  

Ribeck first joined the restaurant business in 1990 after her husband passed away, leaving her with their three children to look after alone. She originally worked at a restaurant in Lowell called The Speare House, eventually becoming functions manager. When The Speare House closed in 1996, Ribeck joined Vincenzo’s.

Ribeck, who said purchasing Vincenzo’s was a perfect opportunity because it allowed her to stay in a familiar location while having her own establishment, said she wants to keep what works, including retaining all current employees.

“I’m keeping the same chef and same staff, so the menu will be Italian and it will be very similar…We’re going to try some new things, but keep the staples that keep the restaurant going,” said Ribeck.  

New changes, she said, will include experimenting with new menu items and giving facelifts to the dining room, and eventually, the bar. Because “Vincenzo’s” belongs to Cicerchia, the restaurant will have to take a new name, but she has 60 days after the change of ownership to do so. She said there are many ideas, but she and her staff will take time to pick one.

“Once we have a little bit of time to decide, we’re narrowing it down,” she said.

As a farewell to its old owner, Vincenzo’s is offering special “Arrivederci” specials from Sunday through Thursday: a three course dinner for $19.81, as well as dinner for two for $30. The prices, said Cicerchia, were decided from the year the restaurant opened and the length of his tenure as owner.

 Ribeck said she will keep the deals going for a time when she takes ownership of the establishment.

“(The deals) will probably go through early May,” said Ribeck.

Cicerchia said his long tenure in Chelmsford has left him with great memories, including watching customers and former employees grow up in front of his eyes.

“I had young kids who worked (here in the past)…Now I bump into them (and) I see them as adults and parents,” he said.

Cicerchia also said he hopes to see the friends he made in Chelmsford visit him at his Concord location, and that he expects Ribeck to do well with her new restaurant.

“I think Cathy has the ability…She’s been here for a while. I think she’ll be fine,” said Cicerchia.

Ribeck said she is grateful to Cicerchia for giving her the opportunity to have her own place as well as teaching her about the business, and that she looks forward to delighting Vincenzo’s old customer base while bringing in new patrons.

“It’s been a little hard to understand…People have been thinking ‘we’re packing up and leaving.’ Everybody’s staying,” she said.