A longtime Reading favorite was almost called Paul and Nick’s
The Reading Select Board on Tuesday formally recognized The Last Corner Restaurant for its 50th anniversary, honoring a half-century of continuous operation and community service at the January 27th board meeting.
Founded in 1976, The Last Corner has long served as a neighborhood gathering place for residents, town officials, and local workers. The recognition drew an unusually large crowd to the meeting, reflecting the restaurant’s longtime role as a shared space for generations of Reading families.
During the ceremony, the Select Board presented owners Paul and Valerie Pavlidis with a commemorative plaque marking “50 years of commitment, care, and connection in the Reading community,” officially acknowledging the milestone on behalf of the town.
Several speakers highlighted the restaurant’s decades-long support of Reading’s public safety departments and municipal staff, particularly during emergencies and severe weather events, when the owners have consistently provided food and assistance on short notice.
In remarks delivered during the recognition, Fire Chief Rick Nelson noted both the personal and professional impact The Last Corner has had on the community, describing its owners as deeply woven into the town’s daily life and civic culture. Nelson recounted how The Last Corner has consistently supported Reading’s public safety departments, opening early during storms, feeding firefighters and DPW crews, and responding without hesitation during emergencies.
One phone call at five in the morning, and we had 70 sandwiches for firefighters on the ground,” he said. “That’s who they are.”
The recognition also included a brief reflection on the restaurant’s origins. Select Board Co-Chair Chris Haley asked, “How did you come up with the name The Last Corner?”
Valerie explained that when the restaurant first opened, it sat at the edge of town along a corner that marked the final turn when leaving Reading in that direction, making “The Last Corner” a natural fit, adding that the name reflected their own experience navigating the area when they were newly married and first starting the business. She also noted that the restaurant was initially going to be named after the owners, Paul and Nick but decided against it.
Board members thanked the owners for remaining in Reading through challenges facing small businesses and praised their decision to continue operating as an independently owned local restaurant for five decades.
In closing remarks, Paul and Valerie expressed their appreciation for the community’s long-standing support and reaffirmed their commitment to staying in Reading, emphasizing that the restaurant has always been about family, consistency, and connection rather than formality or trend.
Following the presentation, the board and attendees gathered for photos with the plaque, marking a milestone that several speakers described not only as a business achievement, but as a shared community accomplishment.
