May 6th update: We’re incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support! While the original goal has been met, the restaurant’s reopening has been delayed longer than expected, and continued generosity means the world to the hardworking staff still waiting to return.

 

Help Rebuild Martin’s Restaurant & Support Its Dedicated Staff

On the night of March 10, 2025, a devastating fire broke out in the kitchen of Martin’s Restaurant in Abington, MA. Fred Villa, the owner, was alerted by his niece, who lives above the restaurant and noticed a strong burning smell. When Fred arrived, he found the entire restaurant engulfed in thick black smoke. Despite the danger, he rushed inside blindly after calling 911, searched for a fire extinguisher and battled the flames before emergency responders arrived. 

The good news? Fred’s quick action prevented a total loss. The bad news? The restaurant has suffered severe smoke damage and must be completely gutted, brought up to code, and rebuilt before it can reopen.

For 80 years, Martin’s Restaurant has been more than just a place to eat—it’s been a cornerstone of the Abington community. Fred’s generosity is well known, especially among our Veterans. In 2022, when asked to host a small, monthly Veterans Breakfast, he didn’t just agree—he went all in. He shut down half his restaurant to serve more Veterans and expanded the event to provide free meals for Veterans and their spouses all day long. Since then, Martin’s has served nearly 3,000 free meals to Veterans from 24 different towns across Massachusetts. April 2, 2025, would've been the 3-year anniversary of the free Veterans breakfast at Martin's.