In
1999 Canton was sold to Donnie Wahlberg of New Kids on the
Block fame. Wahlberg and a partner had planned to remodel
the location into a trendy sports bar, but determined that
the renovations would not be cost effective and allowed the
Restaurant to lie vacant for several months.
By
2001, no changes to the facility had taken place--even the
Howard Johnson's sign still beckoned, and the etched glass
Simple Simon and the Pieman panels still divided the empty
dining room's seating. However in a controversial moment Elma
Wahlberg, Donnie's mom, had taken it upon herself to operate
the restaurant without FAI's consent. But Barbara Leveroni,
Barrett's heir in HoJo's ruination, should not have gotten
her panties in a wad. Wahlberg was only selling coffee, juice,
and pastries to morning commuters. Besides, her son had already
sold the once distinguished Howard Johnson's Restaurant to
another... |