The plastic cows may be forever gone from Route 1, but the giant, green neon north star in Saugus is going nowhere fast.

Hilltop Steak House attorney Peter Rossetti, Jr. told the Board of Selectmen in Saugus on Oct. 28 that the property owned by High County Investors has been sold to an undisclosed buyer, reported Wicked Local.

Developer Ross Hamlin told the news site that he plans to demolish the existing restaurant establishment and rebuild “a 200-plus seat restaurant and shopping center on the property, starting as early as April of next year.’’

But the most crucial part of the sale and development plan isn’t the renewal of the liquor license, the estimated October 2015 finish date for the project or that there will “probably be some steak involved’’ at the new restaurant.


The most important takeaway from this news is that the past is here to stay in the form of a famous 68-foot-high cactus sign.

“It’s one of the few remaining landmarks on Route 1 in Saugus from the bygone era when there was different types of iconic pieces on Route 1,’’ Saugus economic development officer Robert Luongo said. “The Hilltop sign is unique. There’s some sentiment here to keep it and get it restored.’’

The steakhouse closed its doors on Oct. 20, 2013, citing a dramatic decline in business.

You’ll still be able to enjoy the monstrosity on Route 1, but the cows are not coming home.