Thanks for the Memories: Claremont’s Pleasant Street Restaurant Takes a Final Bow

By Mary Carter
EAGLE TIMES CORRESPONDENT
CLAREMONT NH June 5, 2023–When Todd Johnson’s father and uncle opened a dining establishment in Claremont’s Moody Building back in 1972, Todd’s mom Pat was asked to help out for six weeks. For Pat, in her own words, those “six weeks were up” fifty-one years later on Friday, May 26th, 2023.

The Johnsons’ Moody Building bar, the only one in town that wasn’t club associated in those days, was a “hopping place.” Son Todd learned the ropes with that first venture, beginning as a dishwasher at the age of thirteen. Todd’s uncle, a former cuisinier to the Rockefellers, was the chef. Pat pointed out that her brother-in-law often acted like a Rockefeller in the kitchen. High food costs and waste didn’t faze him. The building itself presented its own issues. Heat and electricity were spotty. The floors sagged and the roof leaked. It was time to move on.

Minus the lackadaisical uncle, the Johnsons relocated across the square, adjacent to the Claremont Opera House. Life became a whirlwind of packed dining rooms, lively bar crowds and bands. The now famous ‘Pleasant Menu’ flourished here with seafood being a speciality. Todd Johnson wore many hats at this operation. With time, he and his dad Ray decided to buy their own restaurant property.

They found that opportunity with the Indian Shutters in Charlestown. The late seventeen-hundreds 7,000 plus square foot estate has long been hailed as being haunted. “When the crowds were gone and the hour was late, it did feel creepy,” Todd admits. The positive, however, was that future wife Pamela waited tables there. Her stepdad had been a cook alongside Todd when The Pleasant was in Opera House (then Tremont) Square. Pamela confessed that she often brought her math homework into the kitchen, pretending to need help. Pamela and Todd had their first date at the Opera House, seeing the Indiana spun rock group Magi. Magi’s hit song was ‘Win or Lose.’ For Pamela and Todd, it was all win-win.

Claremont wanted The Pleasant back. Todd and family complied, settling at 84 Pleasant Street for what would become seventeen years of making folks happy. As it was for many restaurants, Covid proved an eye-opening setback. The Pleasant Street Restaurant was a place for experiences, not takeout.

While recovery came, the Johnsons knew it was time to take a rest. Friday, May 26th marked, as Pat labeled it, “the end of an era.” By 4pm, the lines were already down the street. Pat stood at the helm, managing it all. By 6pm, most menu items were sold out. Those in attendance didn’t care. It was a time for hugs and memories. The place was full with loyal customers and long-ago employees. Teary-eyed regulars were pointing out what booths were ‘theirs’ and what celebrations they’d enjoyed in the past. It was a touching and magical farewell.

Thank you Pat, Todd, and Pamela for all those years you served us well.