When I sat down with Justin and Becky Ahlstrom last month outside their restaurant in Andover, I felt so much hope and optimism. They are exactly the people you want opening a restaurant in your community – kind, driven, thoughtful, and pragmatic. They are aware of what they are up against. But they are choosing to look at their long-term goals – opening a place for their community to gather and they are okay altering their plans until life, and COVID, says it is safe.
I’ll be honest, I was shocked when the post showed up in my Instagram feed.
“Our friends opened a restaurant, Margie’s Kitchen & Cocktails! Tonight was the first night for the test kitchen!" the caption read.