A popular Hudson restaurant hopes to double its success this summer in Milford

MILFORD — The way Michael Kasseris sees it, "They say the day you go from one location to two is the only time you'll double your business."

And while Kasseris and his business partners, Karim El-Gamal and Jason Kleinerman, have already seen that occur with one of their enterprises, New City Microcreamery, they've seen their patience tested a bit when it comes to getting a second version of their popular downtown Hudson restaurant, Rail Trail Flatbread Co.

But the wait is nearly over.

Kasseris, in an interview at the downtown Milford site, told the Daily News that Rail Trail Flatbread is aiming to open its second, and long-awaited, restaurant this summer. It's been a project for the 10-year-old company since 2020.

Kasseris said he and his partners are exciting to get started at 221 Main St. He described getting the new location, formerly a bank, converted into a restaurant as a "huge" financial undertaking.

The process began after the Rail Trail Flatbread Co. bought the former Rockland Trust Company property in 2019 (the bank moved out after its November 2018 merger with the Milford National Bank and Trust Co.). But Rail Trail Flatbread wasn't able to obtain a liquor license until June 2020.

'Pandemic disruptions': Hudson's Rail Trail Flatbread Co. still plans second location in Milford

The restaurant was approved for outdoor dining a few months later, in January 2021.

"When restaurants have outdoor dining, it adds to the community dynamic," Kasseris said, adding that the Milford location will feature outdoor dining on its front patio on Main Street, as well as behind the building.

Flatbread pizza, comfort food

Rail Trail Flatbread promotes wood-fired flatbread pizza as "the champion on our menu." The restaurant also offers comfort food classics like burgers, poutine, tacos and mac and cheese, among other items. And it features craft beer — 20 taps, in addition to a selection of bottles and cans.

Kasseris said the pandemic put everything on hold.

"This is no different, (COVID) paused everything for about a year, we tried to keep going," said, adding that the death of his father, Teddy, in November 2019 also put plans on hold. "He was a big part of the company."

Kasseris said that like in Hudson, a New City MicroCreamery — which sells ice cream that's made using a liquid nitrogen process — will open near the Rail Trail Flatbread restaurant in Milford. New City also has locations in Sudbury and Cambridge.

Here's the scoop: New City Microcreamery will open its third location in Sudbury

The Milford location will feel a lot like Hudson, but will be a lot bigger and have features unique to Milford, Kasseris said. Architecture from the former bank, including its old wood paneling and vault doors, will be part of the decor.

"We try to take advantage of all the features of a space," he said.

The Milford location will feature a double flatbread oven with an elongated shape.

"The idea is to be able to see the flame from anywhere in the restaurant," marketing manager Taso Vitsas said.

Milford's downtown "wowed" Kasseris when he and his team arrived to check out the former bank property. He said the iconic building added to the inspiration and that "the Town Hall people being so welcoming was the icing on the cake."

More space, new look: Hudson's Rail Trail Flatbread opens new dining area

Kasseris said Rail Trail's philosophy of connecting to the community will be applied to Milford.

"A lot of our support staff are high school students, and we like hiring actual locals who can walk to work," Kasseris said. "We love getting feedback, which helps shape us."

"We're excited about connecting with the community," he said. "(We plan on) getting involved in some of the social organizations and partnering with sports teams, helping create new programs. Our teams become families and we do things the right way to match the intention. We can't wait to get started."

This article originally appeared on The Milford Daily News: Rail Trail Flatbread Co. plans long-awaited summer opening in Milford