Historic Village Inn at Central and Guild Streets Transitions to New Management as “TK’s Meeting House”-August 15, 1981

The old Village Inn at Central Street and Guild Street has gone through a number of changes in recent years. Once run by the LaRosa brothers, the restaurant and lounge has previously operated under the names Country Corner and, most recently, Olde Village Inn. Now, a fresh wall sign reading TK’s Meeting House proclaims yet another transition under new management. Local residents George Thomas and David Kelley have stepped in to give the historic establishment a fresh lease on life. Thomas noted that he and his partner are in the process of finalizing a purchase-and-sales agreement with the Olde Village Inn Corporation. Until the deal formally closes, Thomas emphasized that the pair are operating as a management team on behalf of the corporation, which is headed by William Duffy.

“This place has been a landmark for many, many years. We’re here to get this place back again,” Thomas stated. Their primary conviction, he added, is that “a Norwood landmark could be run by Norwood people successfully.” To ensure deep community roots, Thomas noted that bar manager Steve Foley and kitchen manager Jim Foster also hail from Norwood.

Both partners bring extensive experience in the hospitality sector. Thomas, 35, operates The New Place, a Boston pub located on Quaker Lane between Devonshire and Congress streets in downtown Boston—a moniker playfully adopted in 1979 after patrons repeatedly asked when he would open a “new place” following the closure of Lewis’ Pi Alley bar and grille, which he previously managed. Kelley, 39, owns Lewis’ restaurant situated at Central and Cottage streets.

Following a one-week shutdown for a complete menu overhaul and restaffing, TK’s Meeting House officially reopened on August 7. The updated culinary offerings feature continental cuisine, including crêpes, omelettes, and full-course dinners, with entrée prices ranging from $6.50 up to $11.95 for a sirloin steak. Alongside the menu revamp, Thomas explained that the atmosphere is shifting to reflect a growing cosmopolitan aesthetic—exemplified by a dress code requiring jackets for male patrons in the lounge. Summing up their vision, Thomas remarked that TK’s Meeting House aims to bring “a little bit of Faneuil Hall to Norwood.”

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger