By Bonnie Adams, Managing Editor
Westborough – Since it was built in 1790, the graceful Colonial building at 208 Turnpike Rd. (Route 9 East) has been a homestead and then a popular restaurant where scores of local families and businesses celebrated important events. ?The structure, which was formerly known as the 1790 House, has been vacant since the restaurant closed in 2012. Now it will serve as the headquarters for a different type of business – PENTA Communications, Inc.
PENTA, an integrated full service marketing, advertising and public relations firm, headed by its eponymous founder and CEO, Deborah Penta, ?is now celebrating its 25th anniversary. It was formerly located just down the road at 182 Turnpike Rd.
Local and state officials, members of the business community and well-wishers gathered May 29 to celebrate the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the company's new home. As Penta welcomed the nearly 200 guests, she noted that it had been a seven-month process turning the shuttered restaurant into a state-of-the-art facility equipped for the modern age.
But the greatest care had been taken, she added, to ensure architectural preservation of the building, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. At times, she said, notable figures such as George Washington, Paul Revere and General Marquis de Lafayette had all visited the building. Retaining that important historical significance was critical, she said.
The renovation has won much praise, including from the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce (WRCC), who awarded PENTA the Silver Hammer Award for its efforts at the chamber's Inaugural Awards Program May 15.
Many state and local officials were present at the ribbon cutting including former Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. Murray, who is now the president & CEO of the WRCC, state representatives Matthew Beaton, R-Shrewsbury; Carolyn Dykema,D-Holliston; and Danielle Gregoire, D-Marlborough;? and Kate Donaghue, the chair of the Westborough Democratic Town Committee, representing Governor Deval Patrick.
Guest speakers lauded Penta on not only her business success but also her company's willingness and generosity in giving back to the community.
Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty, noting that PENTA had actually gotten its start that city 25 years ago, presented Penta with a key to the city.
Westborough officials remarked how pleased they were that PENTA had chosen to not only relocate within the town but also to a historic and iconic landmark.
“The PENTA project was the perfect marriage of a well-recognized building and well-recognized local company,” said George Barrette, chair of the Westborough Board of Selectmen. ??????”To have married this beautiful structure with a thriving regional business is a gift to the town.”
Photos/Janet Stearns