amber@northstarreporter.com
Mackie’s Family Restaurant celebrated its 30th anniversary on Tuesday, Sept. 24, marking three decades of community, family, and great food in North Attleborough.
As a member of Downtown North Attleborough Associates (DANA), the beloved local breakfast spot has become a fixture in the downtown area, contributing to the town’s tight-knit business community.
Founded by William Mackie, the restaurant has a rich history rooted in family involvement. Shortly after opening, William brought his brother Bob on board due to his experience in the restaurant industry.
Reflecting on the journey, William said, “You’re not gonna be rich, but family, developing community friendships, and serving regulars makes it worth it.”
William’s passion for the restaurant business began early. His first job was at the Lafayette House in Foxboro at the age of 12, and it was there that he realized he wanted to own a restaurant one day. He fell in love with cooking and spent years gaining experience at various restaurants before opening his own.
His daughter, Danielle, followed in his footsteps, joining the family business at 17 as a waitress. Today, she is a partner in the restaurant and runs the front of the house. Danielle fondly recalls her early days at Mackie’s.
“It was always fun to watch the flow of the restaurant. I would even try and help wipe down tables… now I watch my 9-year-old daughter do the same thing,” she said.
William shared that running a breakfast restaurant was not his original plan.
“Breakfast found me,” he explained.
Although he had never worked in a breakfast place before, when he opened his first location in North Attleborough—Genecco’s, a bakery that sold cakes and homemade bread—he and Bob decided to serve breakfast on weekends to help with costs. The popularity of their breakfast offerings led to the decision to focus full-time on breakfast when they opened Mackie’s.
The friendly atmosphere at Mackie’s has contributed to a low turnover rate among employees. One waitress who started at Genecco’s remains part of the Mackie’s family today. Over the years, many other breakfast spots have come and gone, but Mackie is among the few left in the area.
William credits their success to one key ingredient: homemade bread.
“We use homemade bread for everything,” he said, explaining that their cinnamon bread for French toast and house-made English muffins have become customer favorites.
Longtime customer Betty Porier, who attended Mackie’s opening 30 years ago, described the restaurant as “the heart of North Attleborough,” adding, “We see everyone we know here.”
Like many businesses, Mackie’s had to adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic. Six months before the crisis hit, the restaurant launched their own line of “Billy Bob” products. When the pandemic caused shifts in the local business landscape, the closure of the neighboring business provided Mackie’s with the opportunity to expand. This expansion allowed them to create a store section to stock Billy Bob products, feature local artists’ work, and even offer retro candy.
As Mackie’s Family Restaurant looks to the future, it continues to embody the values that have made it a local favorite for 30 years—family, community, and homemade meals served with heart.
