Work Continues On New (Sorta) Nobility Hill Tavern

When John Henaghan appeared before the Board of Selectmen March 20 all he wanted was a new liquor license for his restaurant. He answered every question the board had, except one. What are you going to name your new restaurant? A month ago, he either wasn't sure, or wasn't ready to make the name public.

But if you've driven by the former Felicia's Restaurant on Stoneham Square you've seen the answer. The Nobility Hill Tavern, officially "coming soon," will replace Felicia's at the 423 Main Street. The front walk has been replaced in the past week and ladders were up Thursday with work continuing on the area above the windows.

Felicia's closed last October after approximately 50 years on the site.

The name is a history lesson for Stoneham residents. The Nobility Hill Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places and includes the site of the restaurant as well as some of Stoneham's more expensive homes. Back in the day some of the town's wealthiest residents lived here. John Hill and H.H. Mawhinney, both shoe factory owners, lived here as well as C.W. Tidd, owner of the Tidd Tannery.

The new restaurant is hiring and has a website, although you won't find any menus there just yet. Like the sign out front says, it's "coming soon."

Photo by Bob Holmes