As of the writing of this article, three years have passed since local landmark the Hilltop Steakhouse closed its doors, and it has been more than a year since the restaurant was demolished.

By Leah Dearborn

Many in the community saw the closure of the Hilltop after 52 years of operation as the end of an era. In some ways, they may be correct. The implementation of new zoning regulations on Route 1 in May by a unanimous Saugus Town Meeting vote has been slowly changing the face of the road.

Breaking Grounds Café has joined the dining scene on Main Street. | Photo: Reba Saldanha

By Cyrus Moulton

When she started as the new director of community development and planning, Karen Sawyer Conard asked her colleagues how to make a good impression.

“They said bring back Brothers,” she recalled.

Diane Pence and Al Button attend a Yes show at the Lynn Auditorium, which has become a go-to spot on the North Shore for concerts. | Photo: Spenser Hasak

By Cyrus Moulton

Lynn’s downtown has long been known for its restaurant scene—offering delectable food from a $27 steak at The Blue Ox to a $1.75 steak taco at Tacos Lupita. Adding Rossetti Restaurant, R.F. O’Sullivan’s and White Rose in more recent years to these pioneers, in addition to stalwarts such as Brothers Deli and the Capitol Diner, has made downtown Lynn a foodie destination for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Lynnfield resident Susan Parziale started her own consulting business for home and office organization.

By Stacey Marcus

When Susan Parziale was a little girl, she loved to organize her stuffed animals from biggest to smallest. During her teen years, her robust collection of hair products and makeup were next in line to get systematized.

Hand-painted one-of-a-kind pieces can be found at Dare to Be Vintage. | Photos: Reba Saldanha

By Meaghan Casey

The saying “everything old is new again” rings true at the Mills at Pulaski, the North Shore’s largest indoor marketplace for antique and vintage items.

From left, neighbors Luigi and Juana Guarino and Joan and Craig Amsden enjoy decorating their homes for the holidays.

By Rich Fahey

Juana Guarino was happy but sore at the end of a recent Sunday spent decorating her home at 16 Lynn Fells Parkway in Saugus. Since 2006, she and husband, Luigi, have spent weeks in September, October and November on the decorations for their home, which includes thousands of lights as well as characters such as Big Bird and Mickey Mouse. The pace gets intense in the weeks before Thanksgiving.

It’s the perfect time of year for holiday get-togethers with family, friends or co-workers—and the perfect excuse to sip some festive seasonal cocktails. Drink choices become richer, creamier and adorned with beautiful (and tasty) touches like peppermint and cranberries. So rather than hibernating as the days get colder, enjoy imbibing in some winter warmers.

One (and maybe the only) advantage to the days getting shorter and colder this time of year is that it leaves more time for dessert. And, thankfully, the holidays give us an added excuse to bake cookies, craft gingerbread houses and give in to sweet indulgences. Our cravings tend toward the deliciously rich and drool-worthy. Luckily, even the sweetest of teeth will be satisfied by these pastries found in local sweet spots. We sampled a few that will be sure to be crowd-pleasers this holiday season.

Winter seasonals showcase sweet malt flavors

Holiday cocktails aren’t the only beverages getting sprinkled with cinnamon and nutmeg this time of year. Winter beers highlight flavors of the season like allspice, spruce, vanilla, chocolate and gingerbread, complementing many of our favorite holiday dishes.

Make way for the gingerbread man.

He’s cute, not so cuddly, but very sweet. And he comes in with a bang each holiday season— taking his rightful place in millions of bakeries and kitchens across the globe.