HAVERHILL – Broadway still bustles with traffic as cars whizz by, but one familiar stop along the way has gone silent.
The fryers are cold and the doors are kept shut at what was once called the best chicken shop in the city.
On Thursday, The Chicken Connection, a much beloved homestyle restaurant in Haverhill, announced its closure, putting a cap on more than 30 years of serving finger-licking fried foods to the community.
Since 1991, The Chicken Connection was the go-to spot for to-go food, cheffin’ up crispy wings, legendary chicken pot pies, and comfort food that had the locals flocking. The restaurant had long been known for its impeccable services, which were often requested to cater for events around the city.
The menu covered every craving one could consider, from rotisseries to tenders, proving the family knew how to cook a bird.
But, it was never only about the business as the chicken shop was a family affair for owner Rick LeBlond, who worked alongside his son James and his father Dick.
Another favorite of many customers was the restaurant’s homestyle macaroni and cheese, a popular side dish.
But, the chicken shop’s lot was empty by the time roosters crowed on Friday morning.
The lights were out, the doors were locked, and there wasn’t a chicken-crunching customer in sight.
The only greeting visitors could receive were taped to the doors: printouts of the restaurant’s closure announcement.
“From our very first day, each of you has been important to us. Your support and loyalty have been the backbone of our success and we are deeply grateful for every moment,” the paper read.
“Thank you for being the heart of the Chicken Connection. We hope to carry the warmth of your love and support with us into the future.” The restaurant’s website now directs users to an Indonesian online gambling page, which may leave some customers scratching their heads.
But the business is “permanently closed,” as marked on its Facebook page.
However, the Haverhill spot is not to be mistaken for the New Hampshire restaurant with a similar name.
Plaistow’s Chicken Connection posted its own announcement via Facebook on Thursday, explaining that their business will not be closing as it has different ownership.
“The Plaistow Chicken Connection will remain open and operating as usual for it is completely separate from Haverhill,” the restaurant said on social media. “We wish them the best.”
As for Haverhill’s highly acclaimed chicken joint, the LeBlond family bids farewell to a business that kept folks full of fowl for decades.