MARION – The Mary Celeste Whiskey and Wine Library closed its doors permanently on Monday, Aug. 29l less than two years after it opened.

Owner Mike Achilles cited the Covid pandemic as the main reason for the closure. The restaurant opened at the end of December 2020 in the midst of the pandemic.

Achilles wrote in a Facebook post that on the day the restaurant opened, capacity in restaurants was reduced to 25%, and throughout the next 21 months, he watched food prices increase and struggled to work through staffing shortages.

The Mary Celeste was a bar and lounge named for the 1861 ghost ship, with the goal of having the staff function like “librarians” for every bottle on the shelf with whiskeys and wines from all over the world.

When Mary Celeste first opened, Achilles said that he wanted it to “be a place where people can learn about interesting whiskeys and wines and try new things.”

At this time, Achilles says that he is reaching out to local restaurants to help his employees find new employment, and he is trying to find new homes for the kitchen equipment.

They will soon announce a page on social media where customers can request refunds on unused gift cards.

“We’re really appreciative of the customers we had,” Achilles told Sippican Week. “The restaurant industry is a tough industry to be in and all your stars have to be aligned. It’s sad but it was the right thing to do.” 

The reception on the Facebook post is an outpouring of support from the community who are sad to see the experimental establishment close its doors.

“So sad, Marion needed a place like the Mary Celeste,” wrote KC Blackburn-Mckay. “Fair winds and following seas, it was an honor to dine at your establishment.”