MARION — Restaurateur Bree Swierkowski said she was amazed by the outpouring of support she has received for her  new restaurant, Cast Seaside Bites and Bar in Marion.

On Tuesday, Feb. 7 she  received a liquor license from the Marion Select Board while a room full of supporters looked on.

“It was almost emotional, it was overwhelming to see all the people who came out to support it,” she said.

With 14 years of experience in the restaurant business including being the owners of Ella’s Wood Burning Oven in Wareham, the Swiekowski and her husband Marc are starting their new venture at 7 Cottage Street, the former home of the Mary Celeste Whiskey and Wine Library. 

“My husband's dream has always been to open a restaurant that focuses on fresh seafood,” said Swierkowski. 

Cast will be a raw style restaurant with “Latin style” seafood on the menu, with local fishers and shellfishers providing fresh goods.

“We really want to focus on as much as we can sustainable fish and supporting the local fishing and oyster community,” she said. 

However, the Swierkowskis opening a new restaurant caused concern for some Ella’s fans.

“I think some people in the community think we are closing Ella’s,” said co-owner Bree Swierkowski. “But we’re not planning on that.”

The Swierkowskis plan to split their time between the two restaurants, with support from their staff, she said. 

“If I'm not visible in one location, then Mark is going to be there,” she said.  “One of us will always be at one of the locations.”

Swiekowski describes Cast’s atmosphere as “coastal and bright” and it will include an outdoor lounge area. 

The presence of an outdoor lounge caused concern for some Marion residents who worry that patrons could cause a noise issue in the sleepy seaside town. 

“The thing is the noise,” said Martha Woodward, a Marion resident who lives on Cottage Street. “In the summertime we have the windows open. I have no problem with them having a restaurant here. It's just the noise.”

Swiekowski said that she “can't guarantee,” there will be no noise but that in her 14 years of owning Ella’s Wood Burning Oven she has “never had a complaint.”

She offered to put up signage telling patrons to be considerate of the building’s neighbors.

According to Swiekowski, the couple plans to honor the histories of past restaurants that once occupied the building with photos, articles and more.

Peterson’s ice cream operated out of  7 Cottage Street until it closed in the 1970s. Swiekowski said that she found old ice cream making equipment in the building’s basement that will be put on display. 

“You'll see some of those items throughout the bookcases and decorations in the restaurant,” she said.

According to Swiekowski, she plans to open Cast in early April.