Dual ribbon cutting on Main Street

State Representative Kevin Kuros, left, and Webster Selectman Donald Bourque, far right, presented citations to Eastern Pearl Owner Sam Zhu, third from left. Mr. Zhu’s wife Jenny Wang, second from left, and the Eastern Pearl staff looked on.

On hand for the official ribbon cutting at Absolute Staffing were, from left, Webster Selectman Jeffrey Duggan, State Representative Kevin Kuros, co-owners Donald Bourque and Shelley Cormier, WDO Chamber of Commerce president Cheri MacKinney, Selectman Deborah Keefe, and Town Administrator John McAuliffe.

WEBSTER - Absolute Staffing and Eastern Pearl restaurant, located across the street from each other on Main Street, officially celebrated their recent openings with a combined ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Absolute Staffing co-owners Donald Bourque and Shelley Cormier started their employment staffing agency in Auburn in February 2008. The Webster location, at 269 Main Street, is their second, and since opening it, “we've put 26 people to work who weren't working in December,” said Mr. Bourque.

State Representative Kuros presented the two owners with a citation signed by House Speaker Robert DeLeo and himself. Mr. Kuros, citing his own previous experience working for an employment agency, noted the importance of having a location that's easily accessible to job candidates.

Town Administrator John McAuliffe presented Mr. Bourque and Ms.Cormier with a plaque from the Board of Selectmen. He commented on the importance of small businesses in the revitalization of downtown Webster, calling them the economic engine.

Following the ribbon cutting at Absolute Staffing, the group of participants moved to the other side of the street to begin the Eastern Pearl ceremony. Owner Sam Zhu and his wife Jenny Wang converted the vacant Webster Five Bank Building at 290 Main Street into a lovely, elegant restaurant that's had the town talking.

Mr. Kuros started his presentation of the House of Representative citation by telling the audience that he'd spent quite a bit of time and money at Eastern Pearl already himself.

Mr. Bourque, vice-chairman of the Board of Selectmen, presented Mr. Zhu with the Board's plaque. He   told Mr. Zhu that he and his wife Jenny had brought new life to an architecturally important building in  Webster and “we thank you so much for what you've done.”