FARMINGTON — The Granary is making a comeback.

Rick Mealey, a previous owner of the former Pleasant Street restaurant, plans to open a new restaurant by June 1. People seem to want the restaurant to continue with some form of the Granary name, he said.

“It is 18 years to the day, June 1, that I (purchased the restaurant) the last time,” he said.

The restaurant closed in March 2011 when then-owner Richard Griswold said the economy had taken its toll. Most of the large building has remained empty since.

By the middle of May, the building will be filled, owner Matthew Dexter said. Five apartments, a salon and the restaurant will occupy the space.

Dexter’s father, Kelly Dexter, purchased the building in March 2015 with plans to renovate for rental space.  Matthew Dexter purchased the building from him last August.

State licenses, reflecting work to bring the building up to code, were secured last fall, Matthew said.

The town also worked with Dexter on code and life safety measures as needed for mixed occupancy, apartments, retail or a restaurant, Code Enforcement Officer Steve Kaiser said.  

Down the road, a restaurant space was under consideration, but it is now being designed for Mealey, Matthew Dexter said. Mealey approached Dexter with the idea and everything started falling into place.

There’s still a lot of work to be completed on the building by the June 1 date, Mealey said. He may open sooner if the space is ready. 

The renovated space will still have the feel of the old restaurant but with new ceilings, walls and flooring, he said. The kitchen was stripped to the studs and will be completely redone.

Mealey, of Farmington, was the general manager of the Mill Street Cafe in Jay, which closed in January, and the items from the cafe are in storage. If the space were ready, Mealey said he could open tomorrow.

Mealey plans to open a family-oriented restaurant, affordable dining without sacrificing quality, he said. The restaurant market in the area has become quite expensive for families, veterans and seniors, he said. He hopes that by offering affordable menu items, he will have more dining patrons and will be able to keep the prices down.

Mealey plans to employ about 20 people and be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

The 30- by 100-foot building at the foot of Broadway has a long history, according to the Granary website.

“Built in 1890, the building was used for the buying and selling of grain, flour, coffee and various hardware and tools. The business was called W.W. Small Co. until it closed in 1977.  In 1977 and 1978, the basement and part of the upper floor was remodeled into the bar and restaurant known as Bauer’s Back Room and Fiddleheads. The grand opening was Memorial Day 1978. In 1995, the building was remodeled again and renamed The Granary. “

abryant@sunmediagroup.net

A clarification was added to show Matthew Dexter purchased the building in August of 2015.

Copy the Story Link