Whiskey Bar plans move to former Harriet’s Restaurant building

Nov 3, 2020

MARION — Micheal Achilles, owner of the forthcoming Mary Celeste Whiskey and Wine Library, said he learned that the proposed location for the whiskey bar at the old Bookstall “was just not physically possible, the long way.”

So he came before Selectmen on Nov. 3 to request a transfer of his alcohol license from his old location to 7 Cottage Street, the former site of Harriet’s Restaurant. After comments from Selectmen and abutters in a public hearing, the board signed off on the transfer.

“It looks great,” Board Chair Randy Parker said, adding that he did the electrical inspection for the building so, “I can see that it’s good because I’ve been there.”

The lounge has been in the works since 2018 when Achilles leased the space that used to be where the Bookstall, a beloved Marion bookstore that closed in June of that year after 60 years in business.

The concept behind the lounge is a place to bring residents together for a nice drink and a quiet atmosphere. Its name comes from the famed 1861 ghost ship that was commandeered by Benjamin Briggs of Marion and found untouched, but empty in 1872.

In June 2019, Selectmen approved Achilles all-alcohol license, after which the state’s Alcohol and Beverage Commission approved the license. But the Selectmen agreed to not sign and release the permit until the lounge had its necessary signatures and certifications from the town’s Fire Chief and building commissioner.

Recently, Achilles partnered with investment company Mainvest to run a crowdsource funding campaign to have people in the local community invest in the future of the establishment and make a profit in the process.

In the new location, Achilles said he is upgrading the kitchen, as well as making the bathroom handicap accessible. 

He said the building will be ready in three weeks after work on the bathroom is done.

The full kitchen will serve light appetizers and desserts, and the lounge will still be open from 3 p.m. to 10 a.m. Achilles said he’s “being extremely respectful of other businesses” like Kate’s Simple Eats, which closes at 3 p.m.

For parking, there will be 15 spots or more available depending on how people park.

With occupancy, Achilles said the inside would normally seat 40, but this would be reduced because of covid. The restaurant will also have an outdoor patio.

There was a slight confusion over the public hearing portion of the approval. 

Residents from 16 Cottage Street came and said they received no word of the hearing.

Town Administrator Jay McGrail said the town went through the necessary procedures of posting the hearing and informing direct abutters.

Achilles also explained that Patti Nicholoson, the owner of the Harriet’s property, owns the properties that directly abutte Mary Celeste’s. 

Ann Ziegler, one of the residents, voiced her concern over noise volumes in the summertime with people out on the patio. 

“I’m concerned that the sound will be carried,” Ziegler said.

Achilles explained that in both the inside and outside of the establishment, there are noise monitoring devices that alert him and the general manager if the decibels are above an acceptable level before abutters hear of it. 

On top of this, Achilles added that Harriet’s didn’t have any complaints when it was open as a restaurant or private event space. 

“We have been very, very sensitive about this,” Achilles said. “We’ll make sure to do our best to be respectful of neighbors.” 

For people that leave the restaurant and are unruly, Town Administrator Jay McGrail told Ziegler to call the cops, and Achilles added that he would give his contact information to those living in the residency to keep a line of communication open. 

Selectmen voted to recommend the signature and release of the permit after the restaurant obtains the necessary permits and certification signatures from the town’s Fire Chief and building commissioner.

The Board also approved Mary Celeste’s victualler license to serve food.