The Ames Fan Club

Restaurants and Food => Current Restaurants => Topic started by: d_fife on July 26, 2006, 06:52:03 PM

Title: Bickford's
Post by: d_fife on July 26, 2006, 06:52:03 PM
I saw no topic on bickford's. a lot of them have closed or evolved? and WHY??? I have never eaten at one, but the one in manchester nh on south willow st is my closest one.

the former vernon CT one
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: d_fife on July 26, 2006, 06:52:42 PM
here is the former bickford's in southington CT
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: Zayre88 on July 26, 2006, 07:12:01 PM
I went there several times for breakfast, they are good.  Many locations have closed in the past years.  Newington and Dover NH are closed.  I also went to the one in Woburn MA.  It has a mansard style like the former Friendly's in Bangor/Brewer ME.

Here's a picture of the sign in Portsmouth NH.  Obviously it's a former Howard Johnson's.
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: Marc82 on July 26, 2006, 07:28:11 PM
That one in Southington hasn't been Bickfords since December 2004. It was bought by the Gold Roc Diner of West Hartford and it became Gold Roc 2 in the spring of 05. The owner of that restaurant where Price Chopper is that used to be a Friday's bought Gold Roc 2 and last I heard was planning on opening a Mexican Restaurant there. That old Bickfords was previously a HO-JO's and years ago that hotel in the back was HO-JO's too.

I miss Bickford's but the management was stupid. Several years ago their corporate office called me for a job interview in the Southington restaurant and when I went to the Southington restaurant the manager said he didn't even know I was coming.
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: AmesNewington on July 26, 2006, 09:04:55 PM
Bickfords basically disappeared from the Hartford area. When my family went shopping frequently at the Southington Price Chopper, we saw Bickfords, then Goldric II restaurant, and it is empty again.

Then there was one in Rocky Hill in front of Ames and Namco. That's the one I used to go to as a small child. It was really great food. Now it is called O' Leary's Pub and Restaurant. There might still be a few open in Southern CT.
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: Marc82 on July 26, 2006, 09:18:59 PM
According to their website there's only 2 left in Connecticut. One on Hazzard Ave in Enfield. And their new Grille/Tavern Style Restaurant on Greenmanville Avenue in Mystic.  It's sad. There used to be somewhere between 60 and 75 throught New England and now there's only 33.
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: Zayre88 on May 09, 2007, 09:32:18 PM
Just visited their website... only 30 restaurants are still open.  I found out that only 3 remain in NH (Two Bickford's have closed in Manchester...)  One closed in Dover years ago and the Newington location also closed. Only 1 in VT and 1 in CT. They really are going downhill.
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: Lastdaysofrain on May 18, 2007, 02:43:30 PM
They also closed their corporate office in Brighton, MA on Soldiers Field Road a few years ago (the building is still empty and is the most amazing Logan's Run-esque 70s arcitecture)

They rebraned most of their stores into the Bickford's Grill concept, but it didn't fly.

The Salem, NH store is a "Grille", the Saugus, MA and Somerville, MA locations (the Somerville one is relatively new, having been built in the last 10 years) are regular Bickford's and seem to be doing ok.
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: Zayre88 on July 11, 2007, 12:31:04 PM
Bickford's is no longer open 24 H in Portsmouth NH (Traffic circle).
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: Zayre88 on August 11, 2007, 10:44:40 AM
Closed Bickford's on 2nd Street in Manchester NH. (july 2007)
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: Marc82 on August 27, 2007, 08:54:36 PM
Down to 23 according to their website as of 8/27/07. :-( Enfield is the only one in CT left.
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: Marc82 on October 28, 2007, 02:50:06 PM
Down to 21. :(
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: Zayre88 on March 05, 2008, 08:36:10 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Marc82
Down to 21. :(

I just found out that the Portsmouth location is gone from the list.  It was a great location right at the Traffic Circle off I-95 in a Best Western Hotel with 5 other hotels nearby...

Best Western website statement: Restaurant and lounge are closed for renovations until further notice

The 2nd street location in Manchester NH was closed last summer.  A sign read: «Closed for renovation. Visit our South Willow street location»  That location was already demolished and the 2nd street one never re-opened...
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: RogerAnthony on March 05, 2008, 08:51:18 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Marc82
Down to 21. :(
Down to 17 now by my count.
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: Marc82 on July 15, 2008, 02:12:35 PM
Down to 15 now. You should see the old Bickfords in Southington. The building is painted Geen and has a huge outdoor dining area. Its a Mexican Restaurant called AGAVE. http://www.agavect.com  Next time I go to Price Chopper I'll try and take pix of it.
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: Crawford on July 15, 2008, 07:35:58 PM
Drop that to 14, the Bickford's in Seekonk Massachusetts closed up a couple weeks ago with no ado at all.
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: Zayre88 on July 15, 2008, 07:48:43 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Crawford
Drop that to 14, the Bickford's in Seekonk Massachusetts closed up a couple weeks ago with no ado at all.

They're going fast... Bickford's won't be around for long at this pace... they will be gone by the end of 2008... unfortunately.
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: CTAmeshopper on July 24, 2008, 03:19:04 PM
Yep, Mystic's is completely gone as well, I've been they're recently and it looks like they're building something completely new there, still under construction, I haven't a clue what it is there were no signs indicating what the new place was.:huh::(
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: Marc82 on September 18, 2008, 07:37:53 PM
Interesting. Their website no longer lists Mystic and CTAMESSHOPPER said they were closed, but I had two people tell me they ate at the Mystic Bickfords within the past couple weeks.
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: Zayre88 on November 08, 2008, 06:39:20 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Zayre88
Closed Bickford's on 2nd Street in Manchester NH. (july 2007)

The same location again: Bickford's used to be called Bickford's Family Fare.
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: CTAmeshopper on November 23, 2008, 09:20:12 AM
I remember Bickford's very well (based on eating at the one in Canton and the one in Niantic and another one in Southington,  and the last newest one in Mystic.)at the front they had toys you could take home with you,(I bought two) and in the back was the seating area, it was a pretty old school family restaurant which seems rare these days. The food was okay, not bad. I also got to ate at the newer one in Mystic before it closed down, the food was absolutely delicious and a big improvement over the other versions,inside it was nautical themed, now that restaurant is gone as well. I miss them they were unique.:(
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: Zayre88 on January 12, 2009, 09:58:49 PM
The officially former Bickford's is available at Loopnet.  

Some time ago, the Best Western website had this statement: Restaurant and lounge are closed for renovations until further notice.

http://www.loopnet.com/property/15700661/580-U-S-Route-One/

Bickford's sugar packets:
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: jmcnamara96 on January 12, 2009, 10:00:18 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Zayre88
The officially former Bickford's is available at Loopnet.  

Some time ago, the Best Western website had this statement: Restaurant and lounge are closed for renovations until further notice.

http://www.loopnet.com/property/15700661/580-U-S-Route-One/

Bickford's sugar packets:
hahaha the first ones funny lol
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: JimSawhill on January 22, 2009, 04:07:23 PM
What's in the old vernon Bickford's? That used to be an old 'Big Boy'.
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: jmcnamara96 on April 12, 2009, 01:25:14 PM
Nashua NH
<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/jmcnamara96/?action=view&current=JoesPictures300.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/jmcnamara96/JoesPictures300.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: Zayre88 on May 30, 2009, 03:00:25 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by Crawford
Drop that to 14, the Bickford's in Seekonk Massachusetts closed up a couple weeks ago with no ado at all.

Recently down to 13 if i'm correct.
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: Zayre88 on June 24, 2009, 09:14:03 PM
Down to 12 with the recent closure of the last Bickford's of Rhodes Island (Warwick).

http://www.projo.com/food/content/BICKFORDS_LEAVES_RI_06-23-09_RREQDAI_v8.37b3ba8.html
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: jmcnamara96 on June 25, 2009, 12:45:51 AM
I think they mite not last thru 2009
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: C. Fontaine on June 25, 2009, 06:47:00 PM
QuoteOriginally posted by JimSawhill
What's in the old vernon Bickford's? That used to be an old 'Big Boy'.
The Bickfords in Auburn, MA also started as a Big Boy, then Abdows, then Bickfords.  The Bickfords in Westfield, MA is still there.  It sees little business due to bad location.
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: Marc82 on July 03, 2009, 06:33:06 PM
I though Bickford's made the best pancakes. I also used to enjoy their Thanksgiving Sandwich - Turkey, Stuffing, and Cranberry Sauce between 2 slices of bread.
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: jmcnamara96 on January 20, 2010, 09:55:44 PM
The second Nashua one still there near Building 19 the other was torn down on DW Highway and now is Walgreens
<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/jmcnamara96/?action=view&current=JoesPictures229-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/jmcnamara96/JoesPictures229-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Title: Bickford\'s
Post by: gu4ever on January 21, 2010, 12:38:23 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by jmcnamara96
The second Nashua one still there near Building 19 the other was torn down on DW Highway and now is Walgreens
<a href="http://s621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/jmcnamara96/?action=view&current=JoesPictures229-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt295/jmcnamara96/JoesPictures229-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
I went there a few years ago late one night... It made Denny's seem pretty tame in comparison. I never went back after that experience. Although during the day I hear it is pretty nice "like a friendly's".
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: Zayre88 on January 22, 2011, 10:08:54 AM
Down to 10 locations....

With the 2010 closings of the last two CT stores, but Wikipedia lists Bickford's as a defunct chain...

Sign in the window at one CT location redirected customers to the Brattleboro VT location!!

http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/hampden/bickfords-closes-two-area-restaurants
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on January 22, 2011, 10:49:42 AM
*sigh*
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: jmcnamara96 on January 22, 2011, 03:26:44 PM
The former Salem NH one is now Bickfords Grille
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: Zayre88 on March 12, 2011, 06:45:38 PM
Quote from: Zayre88 on January 22, 2011, 10:08:54 AM
Down to 10 locations....

With the 2010 closings of the last two CT stores, but Wikipedia lists Bickford's as a defunct chain...

Sign in the window at one CT location redirected customers to the Brattleboro VT location!!

http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/hampden/bickfords-closes-two-area-restaurants

Make that redirected to Woburn MA...  The Brattleboro, VT location was abruptly closed recently:

http://www.reformer.com/localnews/ci_17535337
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on March 13, 2011, 12:43:36 AM
Holy shi*. I thought for sure that would be the one to stay open.  :'( It was my mom and dad's favorite place to dine whenever they visited Brattleboro. Oh well. At least they got one last meal there together before my Dad passed away in November 2010. They were there just a couple weeks before he passed.
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: retailisking on March 15, 2011, 09:25:25 AM
It could have been worse.  Remember when Ground Round went bankrupt and kicked out paying customers on a Friday while they were still dining?
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on March 15, 2011, 01:47:02 PM
Yeah I remember hearing about that.
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: jmcnamara96 on March 15, 2011, 02:26:56 PM
Bick fords had to Nashua NH Locations
DW Highway in front of the Royal Ridge Mall (Plaza) torn down about 3 years ago became a Walgreens
Amherst Street is still Bickfords looks re-done from the outside only open from 7-3 tho so im usally sleeping so i woulnd go haha
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: d_fife on April 10, 2011, 02:33:01 PM
whats wrong with Bickford's?
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: Zayre88 on May 08, 2011, 02:51:09 PM
Down to 8 locations in 2 states...

http://www.bickfords.com/locations/locations.asp
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: Zayre88 on September 28, 2011, 06:52:12 PM
Went by the Nashua NH location Sunday morning, parking lot was empty and the restaurant looked closed...
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: Zayre88 on October 16, 2011, 03:25:16 PM
Over 50 locations in 1997.....

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6172/6250762391_882a5b7fd0.jpg)
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: irichluck21 on October 18, 2011, 09:09:04 AM
The old Bickford's in Enfield CT is being remodeled interior and exterior.
The rumor is that Chipotle Restaurants is moving in. It will be interesting because a Moe's just opended right down the road next to OSJL.
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: Zayre88 on December 08, 2011, 09:38:51 PM
Quote from: Zayre88 on May 08, 2011, 02:51:09 PM
Down to 8 locations in 2 states...

http://www.bickfords.com/locations/locations.asp

Down to 7 locations, the last of two Nashua locations is apparently closed!

http://www.bickfords.com/locations/locations.asp
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: Zayre88 on November 10, 2012, 01:43:46 PM
Down to six locations:

Needham MA has closed...

(http://o5.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/PATCH/resize/273x203/http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/patch/a902479bf1fc6a8ac251dd92f18f02d6)

http://www.wickedlocal.com/needham/news/x346789198/Bickfords-in-Needham-closed
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: Zayre88 on March 30, 2013, 04:47:19 PM
Quote from: Zayre88 on December 08, 2011, 09:38:51 PM
Quote from: Zayre88 on May 08, 2011, 02:51:09 PM
Down to 8 locations in 2 states...

http://www.bickfords.com/locations/locations.asp

Down to 7 locations, the last of two Nashua locations is apparently closed!

http://www.bickfords.com/locations/locations.asp

Nashua is now a Chipotle restaurant
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: BillyGr on March 31, 2013, 01:11:35 PM
So, which will last longer... the 6 Bickfords or the 2 HoJos?

(Or maybe the 27 Ground Rounds or 32 Bennigans - they also have 25 or so foreign listings, a good number in South Korea and Cyprus - maybe not the best overseas choices :)
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on March 26, 2014, 08:06:42 PM
The former Bickford's in Brattleboro, Vermont is becoming a Ramunto's Pizza Restaurant. Ramunto's is a New Hampshire based pizza chain. This article is from November 2013.

http://www.reformer.com/localnews/ci_24527129/ramunto-rsquo-s-coming-exit-3-roundabout
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: ynkeesfn82 on May 31, 2015, 09:54:59 AM
5 Left.

Salem, NH which is Bickford's Grille.

Acton, Mass which is Bickord's Family Restaurant

Brockton, Burlington, and Wouburn Mass which are Bickford's Grille locations.
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: JimSawhill on June 02, 2015, 11:26:29 PM
Quote from: Marc B on May 31, 2015, 09:54:59 AM
5 Left.

Salem, NH which is Bickford's Grille.

Acton, Mass which is Bickord's Family Restaurant

Brockton, Burlington, and Wouburn Mass which are Bickford's Grille locations.

Will it survive??
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: Zayre88 on March 20, 2016, 10:42:25 AM
Salem NH is now closed

Only 4 locations left..
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: retailisking on March 23, 2016, 10:20:25 PM
Quote from: Zayre88 on March 20, 2016, 10:42:25 AM
Salem NH is now closed

Only 4 locations left..

When did Salem close?
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: Zayre88 on March 24, 2016, 06:03:37 AM
Not sure... It's off the website and on Google it is listed as closed.

Could not find any news about this closing.

Here's a picture from before the location became a Bickford's Grille:

(http://c7.staticflickr.com/2/1460/25394833614_eef3de05bc_b.jpg)
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: JimSawhill on May 28, 2016, 10:14:50 PM
Quote from: Zayre88 on March 24, 2016, 06:03:37 AM
Not sure... It's off the website and on Google it is listed as closed.

Could not find any news about this closing.

Here's a picture from before the location became a Bickford's Grille:

(http://c7.staticflickr.com/2/1460/25394833614_eef3de05bc_b.jpg)

Did it close? What's there now if anything?
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: Zayre88 on June 14, 2016, 08:07:28 PM
New logo released on their website:

(http://www.bickfords.com/_Upload/imgs/websites/b8433e1c-efc2-4bf4-9f72-a12a0097a100/bickfords-logo.png)
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: retailisking on June 17, 2016, 10:39:31 PM
At this point, why are they bothering with a new logo?
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: giantsfan2016 on January 21, 2017, 06:58:05 PM
Still 4. Brockton, Burlington, and Woburn which are Bickford's Grille. The 4th is in Acton, which is a regular Bickford's.
Title: Re: Bickford's
Post by: BillyGr on January 21, 2017, 07:11:01 PM
Quote from: BillyGr on March 31, 2013, 01:11:35 PM
So, which will last longer... the 6 Bickfords or the 2 HoJos?

Quote from: Marc B on January 21, 2017, 06:58:05 PM
Still 4. Brockton, Burlington, and Woburn which are Bickford's Grille. The 4th is in Acton, which is a regular Bickford's.

Guess that answers that question (I'll assume at the time I was referring to Bangor and Lake Placid, as the Lake George was in it's closure then - and of course both of those are now gone, with LG not so far behind...).