Sipping an ice-cold beer at the bar, Andrew Ferrandino was philosophical about the new Matunuck Oyster Bar.
“It’s great,” he said. “Actually, the view is even better than the old one!”
The bar now occupies one corner of a pavilion tent set up in what used to be the valet parking lot. But it looks right out onto the sailboats in the Matunuck Marina in Wakefield.
Swift legislative intervention helped make it happen.
After a fire destroyed much of the old restaurant in May, lawmakers rushed through an extension of the Covid-era “Take it Outside” initiative, allowing certain restaurants whose buildings are suddenly uninhabitable to take their business outside.
Rarely has a bill moved more quickly through the state House and Senate, and rarely has a bill enjoyed such bipartisan support.
“We recognize your contribution,” Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said at a bill signing held Monday at the makeshift restaurant. “And we recognize the importance that it has.”
The swift action was vitally important for dozens of people who would otherwise be out of a summer job. During a typical summer, the restaurant provides seasonal employment for 300 people.
When the fire happened, many of them scrambled to find new jobs. But owner Perry Raso says about 80 have since returned to Matunuck Oyster Bar.
“This is our first day back,” he said. “And the past six weeks have been difficult, but this is a good day for us — to reopen again.”
Abbie Peck and Caliah Fox are among the returning employees. Both of them have worked as hosts for the past few summers. Both thankful to have their old jobs back.
“This is a soft opening, so it’s been a little slower than usual. But it’s looking pretty busy for the next week,” Peck said.
The new setup does have its challenges.
For one thing, big fans have to provide a semblance of air conditioning.
Parking may be even more of a challenge this year, now that the dining room occupies much of the parking lot. Giant coolers take up some of the space too, brought in to keep the raw seafood edible.
“Literally tons and tons and tons of ice,” said Raso.
He hopes to reopen the original restaurant on the anniversary of the fire. But in the meantime, he’s thankful to be back in business again.
[DISCLOSURE: Matunuck Oyster Bar is an underwriter of The Public’s Radio.]
