La Gare/Waltham Station celebrates 6 years
By Peter L. Smith
Published January 29, 2025.
WALTHAM – La Gare/Waltham Station, a restaurant located on Highway 148, has been a community fixture since the 1970s. Known for its home-cooked meals, the restaurant, owned by Cobe Rabb and Kirk McGuire, celebrated its sixth anniversary on Thursday, January 23, by offering customers a free bowl of homemade soup during lunch.
The restaurant was originally named the OK Corral and takes its current name from Waltham’s history, when the Canadian Pacific Railway had a station in the municipality.
Rabb and McGuire purchased the restaurant from retiring owners David and Rose Rochon, saving it from permanent closure. With a full liquor license, the restaurant also features two video lottery terminals for entertainment.
Waltham Station has a loyal after-church following for its Sunday brunch and offers catering for special occasions. The restaurant is also a popular stop for truckers.
Cobe Rabb reflected on their decision to take over the business: “I felt like this place played a big part in Waltham being such a close-knit community, so we chose to take on the venture.”
She acknowledged the difficulties of running a restaurant. “Surviving financially is our biggest challenge. We made it through COVID by offering takeout when indoor dining wasn’t allowed. It’s tough to keep prices reasonable while managing rising bills, equipment repairs, and upgrades, all while trying to stay afloat. Restaurant meals get cut from the budget when times are tight.” she said.
Despite the difficulties, Rabb emphasized the importance of giving back. “We have amazing customers. More than once, someone has called to cancel a reservation because of a medical emergency and even apologized for it. Giving back to the community that supports us is very important,” she stressed.
PHOTO: (From left) Staff member Isabelle Swanson, owners Cobe Rabb and Kirk McGuire, cook Jacques Gagnon, and customers Larry and Helen Perry of Waltham. (PS)