WATERTOWN — Christin D. Filippelli has some big ideas for The Eatery, the restaurant she opened almost two weeks ago on Court Street.
The Eatery is starting in a 1,200-square-foot storefront at 168 Court St. that once housed a used book store. Seating 20 people, it’s open from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a lunch menu of sandwiches and salads and some breakfast items. She employs three full-time workers and six part-timers.
But by late summer, The Eatery will triple its size in an adjacent storefront and employ 15 full-time workers.
That’s when Ms. Filippelli says she’ll offer a complete dinner menu and banquet facilities for wedding receptions, business meetings and special events.
“That side is huge,” she said.
For now, however, The Eatery offers menu items named after staff members and friends. The handmade wooden tables were built by a friend’s father.
She says it’s that family atmosphere that will bring her customers back to The Eatery.
They can join a coffee club for $125 a year and get as many cups of Joe they’d like. The Eatery serves “Whipped Desserts” by Mary Campbell and Stew Baytos.
Nonprofit organizations and local small businesses can use the storefront window to advertise.
A group of her teenage son’s friends work part time at the restaurant, which features some of her favorite quotes on the wall.
Soon, Ms. Filippelli will expand her hours to 7:30 p.m. and add a few comfort foods to a dinner menu before she opens the other side.
Opening a restaurant has been a longtime goal.
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