who we are.
42 years of great food and great people
The Benik family has operated The Stage for more than four decades. Opened in 1981, the Stage began as a small diner that was formerly known as Emmond’s Luncheonette at the head of Central Square. Co-owners Joan and George Benik spent the next years remodeling the space and transitioning from breakfast and lunch to a full dining menu themed around the golden age of Hollywood and Broadway. Portraits of icons like Humphrey Bogart and Marilyn Monroe adorned the walls and menu items were named after films and musicals like The Godfather, Oklahoma, and La Dolce Vita. Three decades, two expansions, and one devastating fire later, The Stage Restaurant still remains the epicenter of Keene’s downtown dining experience – where the echoes of past eras meet a modern American bistro. Now run by the third generation of Beniks, The Stage is set to continue innovating creative new dishes and serving customers for many years to come.
