Acton Eats: Anticipation

If you're a foodie, there's nothing quite like the feeling of driving past an empty store front and seeing the sign "New Restaurant Coming Soon." The anticipation starts building. When will it open? What type of food will it serve? And, most importantly, will it be any good?

But after months of driving by the location and seeing the same old sign, that first question slowly turns into a new one: Will it ever open?

If the outside of the building is being renovated, you'll see obvious signs of progress. But if only the inside is being redone, and you tend to drive by on the way to and from work, for example, you might see nothing but that same old sign. There's nary a hint that something may be stirring within.

Then, one evening, if you're lucky enough, you notice the cars in the parking lot. Maybe the name of the restaurant hasn't even been hung yet, but the lights are on, and people are inside eating!

This is known as a "soft opening" and occurs before the establishment has made an official announcement that they are open for business. The new kitchen staff and wait staff are being trained, new routines are being learned, and new equipment is being put through its paces. Many of those dining inside are the family and friends of people who work there, along with some fortunate enough to be there at the right time and place. And perhaps only a few dishes are on the menu, just enough for a practice run or "spring training," if you will.

Such an event can be enough to start the grapevine going and can cause a huge spike in traffic when the restaurant finally does open, or occasionally even before. When the Acton location of Not Your Average Joe's kicked into gear, the place was mobbed and people were being turned away at the door with only a pack of coupons to say, "Thanks for stopping by. Please come back when things settle down a little."

So, what's the point of this post?

Well, there's been a sign sitting in the window of the former Ginger Court for months now. If you regularly drive on Route 2A near the Concord border you've probably seen it, but it reads simply "New Restaurant Coming Soon."

When will it open? What type of food will it serve? And, most importantly, will it be any good?

If you've heard any information or have any theories, please let us know. And even if you're in the dark like I am, what kind of restaurant does Acton need right now?