Millis Lions rally around the Budabing’s family in wake of fire

Jun. 27--MILLIS -- Up until earlier this month, Ron Paulo, a member of the Millis Lions Club, could be found most Wednesdays tucking into some lunch at Budabing's 50's Cafe.

The popular eatery on Main Street was run by fellow Lion Eduard Harutyunyan, and Paulo liked to go shoot the breeze while also doing his part to support a brother Lion's business.

"I would try to visit Budabing's at least once a week for lunch," Paulo said. "Usually on Wednesdays, my Lions duty day, I'd stop in for my favorite 'Fish Melt' sandwich and fries. When able, Ed would make the effort to greet, with a handshake and short conversation, Lions Club members visiting Budabing's."

Paulo always sat at the counter rather than a table, "so we could converse."

"We got to know one another from Wednesday chats," he said. "Not many may know that Ed had a shoe repair shop in Billerica, for a time operating both. However, being a restaurateur was his desire."

Harutyunyan's passion for the cafe was evident to everyone who flocked there for their favorites -- it was the kind of place where old-fashioned ways reigned supreme and it wasn't uncommon, for example, to find a plate of one's preferred food on the table without an order being taken, or an extra egg added to the three-egg special.

In the early morning hours of June 5, however, a fire that began at the back deck turned into a gas-fueled conflagration that consumed the leased building and the entirety of Harutyunyan's business. The cause of the fire is still under investigation and undetermined, according to the state Fire Marshal's Office. The building, which was at the tail end of various renovations, has since been demolished.

* Fire destroys Budabing's over night

To the community, it was a devastating loss of a favored gathering place, also fondly known by an earlier moniker, "The Breakfast Club."

The Millis Lions are rallying to support their brother Lion in a way that doesn't involve cozying up to huge plates of fried scallops and fries, flapjacks, burgers, pizzas and other classic American dishes. (The Lions, a worldwide organization, uses "We Serve" as its motto).

Debbie Hayes, a Millis Lion and current district governor for the Lions of eastern Massachusetts, also frequented Budabing's. She started a GoFundMe page, and says the club will be planning various fundraisers to help Harutyunyan with financial support that isn't covered by insurance. The goal of the initial GoFundMe effort is $50,000.

"We, the Lions of Millis and the citizens of the Millis community, are just devastated at the loss of this iconic restaurant and the tragedy that has befallen Ed Harutyunyan and his employees," she said. "I am truly, truly heartbroken for Ed, his family and his employees."

Harutyunyan, she said, "has worked very hard to ingratiate himself to the community, support the various organizations in our community and, by joining the Lions, give back to the citizens of the community through humanitarian service.

"He is a wonderful man and a good person, and this situation is just awful," she said.

* PHOTOS: Fire destroys popular Millis restaurant

Paulo echoed that sentiment. He said Harutyunyan's "comical sense of humor drew one in," and noted that he has "become a good Lion and friend. His service as a Lion is cooperative and generous."

"As if commuting all the way from Billerica each early morning and late evening wasn't enough, Ed's dedication to his business goals were evident in his progress," he noted. "He was gradually making improvements to Budabing's amenities, innovating creative menu offerings, as well as interesting customer promotions."

Harutyunyan recently met with a number of his fellow Lions at the site and was surrounded with expressions of support, from handshakes to pats on the back to promises of help to come.

The reaction of his brother and sister Lions, he said, is not surprising. Still, "I'm very, very grateful and speechless."

When asked how he might apply the financial support the Lions are drumming up, Harutyunyan's first thoughts were with his 14 employees who lost their work as a result of the fire.

"Mostly I feel bad for the employees," he confided. So his plans involve "mostly trying to help out the employees."

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Workers mourn after fire guts well-known Millis restaurant, Budabing's 50s Cafe

Hayes said some of the funds will help Harutyunyan's family as well, while the restaurateur works to get back into the business of feeding people.

"Yes, insurance will replace the contents of the building and perhaps some of the lost wages, but it will not cover everything," the GoFundMe page points out. "We are hoping to bridge the gap and help make Ed and these employees whole while they work out the details of a new location and reopening."

"We're going to help out Ed as much as we possibly can," said Paul LeBell, the Millis Lions' incoming president.

Harutyunyan said he is already looking for a new space, hopefully in Millis. And he plans to continue the vintage style of doing business.

The Lions are confident things will work out.

"Ed's hard work and passion at Budabing's has only been interrupted," says Paulo. "He'll continue on, I'm sure."

The GoFundMe page in support of Budabing's can be found at www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-budabings-family

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