Gateway to Rocky Pt. memories planned at Ann & Hope lot

Posted 2/4/14

Imagine the scene.

You’re driving down Post Road near Ann & Hope. You can’t quite believe your eyes because there, not too far from the road, is the entrance to Rocky Point. There’s no …

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Gateway to Rocky Pt. memories planned at Ann & Hope lot

Posted

Imagine the scene.

You’re driving down Post Road near Ann & Hope. You can’t quite believe your eyes because there, not too far from the road, is the entrance to Rocky Point. There’s no mistaking the cinder block columns and the bridge between the two, with the multi-colored letters to the park’s name, cock-eyed and looking like they had just gotten off the Cork Screw. The gate is too small to be a knockoff of the original and, what is really mystifying, is that it wasn’t there yesterday. So how did it suddenly appear?

When that day happens, sometime this March, the answer will become obvious.

This gate to Rocky Point is on wheels. Actually, it will be part of a 16-by-34-foot food trailer – the Rocky Point Clam Shack.

The trailer, the brainchild of Anthony Restivo, is just the prelude to a Rocky Point experience.

Restivo and his major backer, Chanping “Ping” Hou, visited the Beacon last week to outline plans to rekindle park memories while serving the food that could only be found at Rocky Point. They have the recipes for Rocky Point clam cakes and chowder. In addition, they will bring back lobster dinners and the corn and steamers the Shore Dinner Hall was renowned for.

If you don’t have the time to stop and eat, there will be retail packs of the clam cake mix with directions on how to make them at home.

That’s not all. Under the Plexiglas of picnic tables surrounding the gate trailer will be photographs of the park. Clam cake bags will bear the Shore Dinner Hall drawing just like the originals. Kids will be able to ride a three-foot lobster and Rocky Point placemats – the work of local artist Frank Galasso – will be at each setting.

“We want to keep the whole idea of Rocky Point,” says Restivo. “It’s about family and it’s affordable.”

Restivo, who has been in the mobile kitchen business for 12 years, remembers family outings to the park and the fun he had as a kid. His plan has gained the endorsement of the city’s Zoning Board of Review. And in case you’re wondering, the gates over the trailer will be made of wood and look like blocks.

On the other hand, Hou, a mechanical engineer who came to this country from Taiwan in 1969, never had the chance to visit Rocky Point when it was operating as an amusement park. Hou is tied in with a group of investors in Chinese Native Products. He said there is interest in a government program designed to create jobs through the investment of foreign capital.

“There are a lot of Chinese businesses that make a lot of money and they want to get away from China,” he said.

Whether the Rocky Point food trailer will be the bridge to other new ventures remains to be seen. Restivo said the trailer operation would employ five or six.

“It will be everything Rocky Point,” Restivo said.

To also boost efforts to develop the site of the original park, Restivo said the company intends to support the Rocky Point Foundation, the non-profit organization that led efforts to get a referendum in 2010 to get the $9.6 million needed to buy 82 acres from the Small Business Administration. The foundation is working with the city and state as they consider development of the property after demolition and cleanup is completed later this summer.

Comments

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  • CharleneC617

    What a Wonderful idea to bring part of Rocky Point, especially the delicious foods! I had soooo much fun going there when I was young! Hope it becomes a reality and a money maker!

    Wednesday, February 5, 2014 Report this

  • Incognito

    This is great..... I can't wait!!!! Love the Rocky Point Chowder and Clamcake recipes, they are the best ever!

    Wednesday, February 5, 2014 Report this

  • reggs4

    Yayyyy! This is the BEST news I've heard in a long time! I loved, loved Rocky Point lots of memories. The Shore Dinner Hall was the best. I hope this becomes a reality so my grandchildren can enjoy it also! Thank you Anthony Restivo!

    Wednesday, February 5, 2014 Report this

  • KathyD

    Great News!! I can't wait to see it and enjoy the clam cakes, chowder, lobster...the whole idea!! I loved Rocky Point and have lots of great memories from spending lots of time there as a teenager!! Love it!

    Friday, February 7, 2014 Report this

  • Endmills1

    If I recall correctly there used to be an off shoot of Rocky Point Shore dinner hall at the corner of Airport Rd and Post Roads. Possibly in the old Carvel building?

    Hard for me to recall ive been gone over 30 years, but I dont think it is a new or novel idea, but good luck to them in the endeavour.

    Friday, February 7, 2014 Report this

  • morinmi

    Loved going to Rocky Point when I was a child. A lot of great memories, especially the dinner hall!

    Don't live in Rhode Island any longer. :-( Anyway of getting some of those packs of the clam cake mix mailed to the San Diego area? Please let me know if so, how many I can order and cost per. Thank you and best of luck!

    Wednesday, April 16, 2014 Report this

  • angela210

    HI

    I have to say I went there today an I was a not at all impressed with it, There was no taste to the clam cakes That is all that I got I wanted to try them, I will give it one more try in a few weeks for the 4.50 I paid the clam cakes they came in a box and it to me was nothing like it was at rocky point, but again I will try it again in a few weeks

    Tuesday, April 29, 2014 Report this

  • perky4175

    not to sanitary no runnig water go to tommys clam shack better deal good food

    Thursday, May 1, 2014 Report this

  • perky4175

    do they spit in the chowder like the old rocky point

    Thursday, May 1, 2014 Report this

  • Drew

    Yum

    Wednesday, May 7, 2014 Report this

  • FASTFREDWARD4

    How do you like the jet fuel fumes with your calm cake,s . I give it till the fall close all gone \. The people in this city better get over rocky point some day IT IS GONE

    Sunday, May 18, 2014 Report this