‘Beloved’ Taunton restaurant Star Drive-In set to close in spring

TAUNTON, Mass. (WLNE) — The well-known, 1960’s style Star Drive-In located along Route 79 in East Taunton is set to close in the spring, its owner said in a Facebook post.

Owner Erika Madden said her lease for the property expires in March.

Madden described issues with the lease after a different company purchased property across the street from Star Drive-In to build a storage facility, but did not give any specifics.

She also said Taunton city leaders have not offered help or assistance to keep Star Drive-In open, despite “pleas for help.”

Mayor Shaunna O’Connell said the city has no involvement in agreements between the property owner and operator.

“The Star Drive-In has been a beloved part of Taunton for generations, and like so many in our community, I deeply appreciate the joy and tradition it has brought to families over the years,” O’Connell said in an emailed statement.

O’Connell specifically said the city helped Star Drive-In get more than $60,000 in grant funding for improvements.

“While the City has gone above and beyond to help, there are legal and fiscal limits on what we can do for a privately-owned business,” O’Connell said.

A spokesperson for O’Connell said the mayor drafted a letter explaining the situation to the Taunton City Council for inclusion on next week’s agenda.

In a copy of the letter obtained by ABC6 News, O’Connell reiterates that the city is not involved in discussions about the private lease agreement for the property.

Madden purchased the Star Drive-In in 2016.

In the Facebook post, Madden said this was the restaurant’s best summer season since she took over, and said she’s closing on her terms.