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Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lawmakers approve outdoor dining change to help Matunuck Oyster Bar after devastating fire
The damaged Matunuck Oyster Bar in South Kingstown is shown on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the date of a devastating fire believed to have been accidental. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current) Appreciation for South County's acclaimed Matunuck Oyster Bar transcends political party, evidenced by the Rhode Island General Assembly's universal support to change state outdoor dining regulations on the restaurant's behalf. Companion bills sponsored by South Kingstown Democrats, Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee and Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski were each approved by their respective chambers in separate, unanimous votes Thursday. Each chamber must still give the rubber stamp to the other's bill — a process known as concurrence — before the legislation heads to Gov. Dan McKee's desk. McKee has already indicated his support. The eleventh hour proposal, introduced in the Rhode Island State House one week earlier, offers a temporary solution after a fire permanently closed Matunuck Oyster Bar on May 20. Perry Raso, restaurant owner and oyster farmer, has cooked up a plan to host diners in a neighboring marina parking lot this summer, which requires a few tweaks to existing state regulations governing al fresco eateries. 'While we know summer at Matunuck Oyster Bar won't look the same this year, this creative solution is a great first step toward welcoming diners back to our tables and keeping our staff working and earning wages during this busy season,' Raso said in a statement Thursday prior to the votes. Raso said he can keep about 50 members of his 300-person staff on the payroll this summer under the mobile kitchen plan. 'This bill is not only about outdoor dining, it's about protecting jobs, supporting small business and keeping our economy going,' said Rep. Kathleen Fogarty, a South Kingstown Democrat whose district includes the restaurant and Raso's home. Outdoor dining is no longer a novelty, having become a staple for the state's hospitality industry in the wake of the pandemic. In February 2024, lawmakers approved a new state law regulating outdoor dining, allowing cities and towns to limit outdoor dining on public property and set capacity caps, while protecting restaurant owners from overly restrictive local limits on operating hours and parking. The bill passed by both chambers Thursday amends the 2024 law, permitting 18 months of outdoor dining — or until the building is 'fit for occupancy' — for restaurants closed due to casualties like floods and fires. Municipal governments would also need to OK the workaround measure for affected restaurants in their communities based on existing local ordinances. Restaurants could serve alcohol outside, too, if they already have a local liquor license. The added flexibility for outdoor dining in emergencies expires June 30, 2027, though Senator Leonidas Raptakis, a Coventry Democrat, urged fellow senators to consider making the change permanent. 'I think this is a very good tool that helps all businesses in Rhode Island,' Raptakis, who used to own Venus Pizza in Coventry. 'I don't want to see this happen to any business.' Across the rotunda, Minority Whip David Place,a Burrillville Republican, lobbied unsuccessfully to make the proposal permanent. 'I don't want this to just be here for one business, I want it to be here for every business,' Place said. McEntee, however, said the sunset provision aligned with prior, pandemic-era outdoor dining laws, which all began as temporary measures and, if proven effective, became permanent. Place ultimately voted for the legislation as presented, including the 2027 expiration. The South Kingstown Town Council passed a resolution at its June 9 meeting supporting the state policy change, as requested by Elizabeth Noonan, an attorney representing Raso. The South Kingstown Town Council must also approve details of Raso's outdoor dining plans, which had not been submitted to the town as of Thursday afternoon, Town Council President Rory McEntee. He is the son of Rep. McEntee. 'We look forward to sharing our plans for al fresco dining in the marina parking lot across the street from the Matunuck Oyster Bar if and when this legislation is enacted, and we remain committed to take any step we can to preserve as many summer shifts for as many of our employees as possible,' Raso said Thursday. Details on a permanent rebuild and reopening of the famed, 16-year seafood restaurant were not immediately available. The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Rhode Island Office of the State Fire Marshal, Matt Touchette, a spokesperson, said Thursday. A preliminary investigation suggested it was accidental, and not caused by commercial cooking equipment. Rep. Megan Cotter, an Exeter Democrat, recused herself from the vote. Cotter sold the restaurant fish through her job as director of business development and category management for Foley Fish, she said via text Thursday night. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lawmakers propose measure to allow Matunuck Oyster Bar to temporarily reopen outside
Matunuck Oyster Bar staff and friends gather outside a chain-link fence as firefighters respond to a blaze that broke out at the restaurant early Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current) After a devastating fire last month forced the closure of the Matunuck Oyster Bar, state lawmakers are pushing to update a pandemic-era law to help the South Kingstown restaurant temporarily reopen outdoors. Companion bills introduced late last week by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee and Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski, both South Kingstown Democrats, would amend the state's outdoor dining law to allow the restaurant to run a mobile kitchen in a parking lot across the street through the end of June 2027. 'This legislation is the least we could do to help weather the difficulties resulting from the fire, including keeping some of the restaurant's workers employed during the busy summer season,' McEntee said in a statement. McEntee was the lead sponsor of the 'Take It Outside' initiative that allowed food service establishments to operate outdoors during the pandemic. But House spokesperson Larry Berman said Monday the law never accounted for situations like the May 20 fire that permanently shut down the Matunuck Oyster Bar. Berman said the idea to update the law was brought to the attention of House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi by the restaurant's owner, Perry Raso. Raso did not respond to multiple requests for comment. The legislation would allow restaurants closed due to flood, fire, or other 'casualty' to offer temporary outdoor dining for up to 18 months. Affected restaurants could serve alcohol outside if they already have a liquor license from their respective municipality. Temporary restaurants would still need final approval from the local government but wouldn't need additional exemptions from local ordinances or codes, according to the bill. The agenda for South Kingstown's Town Council Monday evening meeting notes that town officials were asked to support the legislation by Raso's attorney, Beth Noonan. Noonan did not immediately respond to the request for comment, nor did Town Manager James Manni or Council President Rory McEntee, who is the son of Rep. McEntee. At the time of the fire, the Matunuck Oyster Bar employed about 300 workers. About 50 positions could be reinstated if the restaurant was allowed to reopen for al fresco dining, according to a news release issued Friday from the General Assembly. 'As this cherished establishment works to rebuild, it's important we do everything we can to support that process and the many people who rely on the restaurant for their livelihood,' Sosnowski said in a statement. State leaders aren't the only ones trying to help out the Matunuck Oyster Bar. Providence officials are looking at the possibility for Raso to potentially operate out of Waterplace Park. City spokesperson Josh Estrella confirmed that officials are in preliminary conversations with 'multiple vendors' for the events space located along the Woonasquatucket River, but declined to give additional details. The plans were first reported Monday by the Boston Globe. 'We are focused on making this space an asset to Providence,' Estrella said in an emailed statement Monday. McEntee's bill is scheduled for an initial hearing before the House Committee on Small Businesses Tuesday. Sosnowski's legislation will be heard by the Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government that same day. Shekarchi and Senate President Valarie Lawson both expressed strong support for the legislation. '@MatunuckOyster is an iconic restaurant that's beloved by Rhode Islanders & many visitors who come here just to enjoy MOB's award winning pond-to-plate cuisine,' Shekarchi posted on X Friday evening. Lawson called the bills 'important.' 'While the news of the fire was truly devastating, the way Rhode Islanders have responded to support Perry and his employees has been extraordinary,' Lawson said. 'Along with our partners at the State House and in South Kingstown, we will continue working to support everyone impacted as the restaurant rebuilds.' Gov. Dan McKee also backs the legislation. 'Our administration is committed to supporting Matunuck Oyster Bar—from rapidly assisting impacted workers through the Department of Labor & Training to working closely with ownership on licensing for this temporary setup through the Department of Health,' Olivia DaRocha, a spokesperson for McKee's office, said in an email. 'We stand ready to offer our continued assistance.' The Rhode Island Office of the State Fire Marshal investigation into what caused the fire remains underway, Matt Touchette, a spokesperson for the office said. Investigators have said it was likely accidental and ruled out commercial cooking equipment as the direct cause of the blaze. Updated to include comment from Gov. Dan McKee's office. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
As fire investigation continues, DLT expedites outreach for Matunuck Oyster Bar employees
Investigators from the Rhode Island Office of the State Fire Marshal take photos after the fire at the Matunuck Oyster Bar on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current) The Rhode Island Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of Tuesday's early morning fire that engulfed the popular Matunuck Oyster Bar in South Kingstown and left more than 300 full-time and seasonal employees out of work. No injuries were reported from the blaze that seriously damaged the waterfront restaurant on Succotash Road ahead of Memorial Day weekend. Heavy smoke and flames were coming from the restaurant at the time firefighters arrived at approximately 3:45 a.m., according to Associated Press reports. Restaurant employees surrounded Perry Raso, the restaurant's owner, in a group hug outside the burned out building late Tuesday morning as firefighters continued to work at the scene. 'While the damage to our building is devastating to me, our patrons, and our employees, we are very thankful no one was injured,' Raso said in a statement Tuesday night. 'I'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our neighbors, patrons, partners, colleagues and friends from Rhode Island and beyond, who have reached out over the last several hours with selfless offers to help. We are humbled and grateful for what Matunuck Oyster Bar represents to so many people. While we are heartbroken that our doors will be temporarily closed, we are committed to opening them back up and welcoming guests back to our tables as soon as possible.' Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training Chief Public Affairs Officer Edwine 'Drine' Paul said a department official connected with the restaurant's owner Tuesday afternoon. 'The department is coordinating efforts with the restaurant to expedite our rapid response services to support all of the impacted workers,' Paul said. 'We want to make sure that we support them at this difficult time.' Raso said his team is assessing its next steps. 'Our first priority is in finding ways to assist our more than 300 full-time and seasonal employees, whose service and dedication have made Matunuck Oyster Bar what it is today, and who rely on this business to support themselves and their families,' he said. 'We are currently working closely (with the) Department of Labor & Training, the Governor's Office, and other public officials to identify available resources, and we are committed to staying in direct contact with our team members as our long-term plan for Matunuck Oyster Bar is developed.' Raso opened Matunuck Oyster Bar in 2009, selling the fresh oysters harvested at the Matunuck Oyster Farm, the wading depth aquaculture farm he founded on Potter Pond in East Matunuck. The restaurant had commercial docks that facilitated access for work boats. Matunuck Oyster Bar has received numerous accolades, including making USA Today's Restaurants of the Year list. The cause of the fire remains undetermined, and the state fire marshal's office is actively investigating, Matt Touchette, a spokesperson for the office said. Updated at 7:08 p.m. with statement from Perry Raso. Matunuck Oyster Bar owner Perry Raso is shown after the fire on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current) Matunuck Oyster Bar damand is shown after the fire on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current) Matunuck Oyster Bar damand is shown after the fire on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current) A chain link fence surrounds the fire damaged Matunuck Oyster Bar on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current) Firefighters are shown after the fire at Matunuck Oyster Bar on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current) A couple who are friends of the Matunuck Oyster Bar owner console each other after witnessing the damage. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current) Matunuck Oyster Bar owner Perry Raso is not visible as staff and friends embrace him outside the waterfront South Kingstown restaurant hours after a fire broke out there on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current) Employees at the Matunuck Oyster Bar hug. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current) SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
