Latest news with #PerryRaso
CBS News
30-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Matunuck Oyster Bar in Rhode Island reopens for outdoor dining weeks after devastating fire
The Matunuck Oyster Bar, a popular Rhode Island restaurant hit by a devastating fire just weeks ago, has reopened for outdoor dining. The South Kingston seafood spot, named one of the best restaurants of 2025 by USA Today, had a "soft opening" on Monday and will officially open on Tuesday, which also happens to be its 16th anniversary. An online fundraiser has raised more than $250,000 to help rebuild the restaurant and support staff members since the fire that gutted the restaurant on May 20. "I think there's a togetherness, the people really feel close to each other," owner Perry Raso told WPRI-TV. "It's not just a business. I knew it wasn't about the food or the service or the building. It's about this togetherness." Raso was profiled by CBS Saturday Morning in 2022. He is a proponent of sustainable shellfish farming, and diners at the waterfront restaurant could watch their oysters get harvested and shucked. "Take It Outside Law" helps oyster bar reopen At the reopened oyster bar, guests sit under a tent at the marina parking lot across the street from the restaurant. They will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and there will also be "grab and go" options. The reopening was made possible in part by a bill signed into law Monday by Gov. Dan McKee. The new law allows restaurants damaged by fire or flood to offer temporary outdoor dining for up to 18 months, as long as they meet health and safety regulations. "These types of businesses are so important to our economy," McKee said.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What's going on with Matunuck Oyster Bar? Here's what has happened since the fire.
Three weeks after popular Rhode Island restaurant Matunuck Oyster Bar was destroyed in a fire, what's happening with the restaurant and the site? While cleanup at the 629 Succotash Road location in South Kingstown is continuing, fans of the restaurant, which was recently named one of USA Today's best restaurants in the country, may still be able to get a taste of their food this summer, albeit in unconventional ways. Matunuck Oyster Bar could reopen during the summer for outdoor dining in the parking lot across the street after the passage of bills to let any licensed food service establishment closed by a flood, fire or other "casualty" to provide outdoor dining services for 18 months, or until the outdoor structure is rehabilitated. The bills passed the General Assembly on June 18 and are heading to the governor's desk to be signed into law. Another restaurant destroyed by a fire, Finn's Harborside in East Greenwich, announced they were partially reopening in a similar setup, though as an outdoor bar and not a restaurant. Matunuck Oyster Bar was also recently a vendor at the Savor New England food event at Mohegan Sun on June 7, so the restaurant may pop up at similar events throughout the summer. On June 12, Matunuck Oyster Bar's owner Perry Raso issued a statement thanking lawmakers for their attention to the two bills that would allow them to partially reopen. "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. He added that they would be sharing plans to open al fresco in the parking lot across the street if the legislation passes, and he committed to providing as many summer shifts for as many of our employees as possible." Here's what the restaurant looks like three weeks after the fire: This story has been updated with new information. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Matunuck Oyster Bar is still closed after fire, but is there hope this summer?
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Push to help Matunuck Oyster Bar reopen advances at State House
SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — While flames may have destroyed the inside, a bill that could allow Matunuck Oyster Bar to serve customers outside is one step closer to becoming law. Nearly a month after fire devastated the beloved South Kingstown restaurant, the community is continuing to rally behind it in hopes of reopening in time for the busy summer season. 'Like a bad dream': Rhode Islanders distraught by fire at beloved oyster bar State Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee and Sen. Susan Sosnowski are helping lead the charge with the 'Outdoor Dining Act,' which would allow restaurants damaged by natural disasters — such as fire or flooding — to operate with outdoor seating and a mobile kitchen. The legislation advanced Tuesday night in both the House Committee on Small Business and the Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government. Matunuck Oyster Bar owner Perry Raso stressed how important this step is to him and his staff. 'It will allow us to maintain and do some level of business and sell seafood which is what we do and keep our staff going and hopefully generate some revenue at the same time until we can rebuild,' Raso said. On Monday, the South Kingstown Town Council unanimously passed a resolution supporting the legislation. Town manager James Manni explained how the restaurant is a critical thread in the fabric of their local economy and community. 'How many of us have been there for graduation, anniversaries, mothers day, fathers day so on and so forth?,' Manni said Tuesday night. The current proposal includes a sunset clause that would expire in June 2027, but both Hagan McEntee and Sosnowski said they expect to revisit the timeline. 'There may be other restaurants that may be effected and we should look at it and make it a permanent law rather than just a temporary one,' Sosnowski said. Votes on the bill are expected in the full House and Senate on Thursday. Smiley: Providence in 'very preliminary' talks with Matunuck Oyster Bar Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Matunuck Oyster Bar could operate outdoors this summer under new legislation
SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — State lawmakers are attempting to pass legislation that would allow the Matunuck Oyster Bar to open back up on a limited basis. The South Kingstown mainstay went up in flames last month and has been closed ever since. The cause of the fire has since been deemed accidental in nature. Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee and Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski introduced legislation Friday that would allow the restaurant to set up outdoor seating in the parking lot across the street, which is owned by Matunuck Oyster Bar's Perry Raso. Hagan McEntee's legislation is set to be reviewed by the House Committee on Small Business next Tuesday. Sosnowski's companion legislation will also be discussed Tuesday in the Senate Committee on Housing and Municipal Government. SEE ALSO: Rhode Islanders distraught by fire at beloved oyster bar The goal of the legislation is to keep the restaurant up and running throughout the busy summer months. The legislation would allow the restaurant to establish a mobile kitchen and serve patrons at outdoor tables. 'The award-winning Matunuck Oyster Bar is a beloved part of the South Kingstown and Rhode Island community and everyone was devastated when the fire broke out a few weeks ago,' Hagan McEntee said. 'Its success elevates the town and both locals and tourists alike have made this restaurant a true destination in Rhode Island.' '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,' she continued. Specifically, it amends the 'Take It Outside' law that allowed food service establishments to operate outdoors during the pandemic. The proposed change would allow restaurants to provide temporary outdoor dining service 'any time a building or other structure used as a food service establishment is rendered uninhabitable by virtue of a casualty,' such as a fire or flood. MORE: Fundraisers launched for Matunuck Oyster Bar If passed, the restaurants would be allowed to do so for 18 months 'or until the building is fit for occupancy.' The current proposal notes that the legislation would sunset and expire on June 30, 2027. 'Our community was heartbroken by the fire at Matunuck Oyster Bar, and so many people have rallied behind Perry Raso and his employees during this difficult time,' Sosnowski said. 'The fact that this happened on the cusp of the busy summer season is particularly devastating for Perry, the restaurant's workers, and our entire community.' '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,' she added. 'Utilizing the successful approach of the 'Take It Outside' law is a common-sense step that will help immediately.' The proposed legislation requires municipal approval before it can be considered by lawmakers. The South Kingstown Town Council is scheduled to consider a resolution of support for it on Monday. RELATED: Matunuck Oyster Bar fire appears accidental House Speaker Joseph Shekarchi and Senate President Valarie Lawson have already expressed 'strong support' for the legislation. Shekarchi said Raso was the one who came up with this 'creative approach.' 'I pledged my strongest support to expedite this process with the House,' he said, adding that he will also work with the Senate and town to 'make this happen quickly.' Lawson stressed that she also plans on ensuring the passage of this legislation. '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.' Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Boston Globe
23-05-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Matunuck Oyster Bar, damaged in fire, did not have sprinklers
Fire officials said The investigation remains ongoing. 'There is significant damage to the building,' South Kingstown Fire Chief Steven Pinch said. 'It's still standing, but between the water, fire and smoke damage, the structural problems are significant.' Advertisement These new details come more than two decades after the state's push to create a tougher fire code in the wake of the The The building the Matunuck Oyster Bar was located in was originally constructed in 1946. Since owner Perry Raso purchased the property - previously a rundown restaurant - to open his oyster bar in 2009, Advertisement The state Fire Code requires a sprinkler system in places of assembly that hold 300 people or more. Matunuck had an occupancy of 222 people. Despite additions made over the years, Bernier explained the oyster bar's square footage and occupancy rate were below the thresholds at which the state Fire Code requires a sprinkler system. Related : Several other restaurants and hotels in Rhode Island have suffered damaging fires in recent years. The historic Earlier this month, Matunuck Oyster Bar was last inspected by local fire officials in September 2024, when they found about 20 minor violations. Each was corrected within the required 30-day timeline. While no one was injured in the blaze, the fire comes as a devastating blow to Advertisement two regular diners, Dan Smalley and David Stine, aimed at helping employees and the rebuilding effort, has already raised more than $140,000. The Rhode Island Hospitality Association Several building permits were recently pulled for future work to be done at the restaurant. Laurent Fortin Jr., a master pipefitter with Buckley Heating and Cooling, pulled a mechanical permit on May 13 to replace two water heaters and work on gas piping that ran from an existing propane tank to the water heaters, according to documents filed with the town obtained by the Globe. The job would cost nearly $25,000, according to the permit. The work wasn't expected to be performed until June 14, according to a representative with F&S Electric Inc., the electric company that was supposed to install the project's wiring. Anthony Santurri, an East Greenwich-based electrician, pulled an electric permit on May 20, the day of the fire. He did not return calls from the Globe seeking comment. 'Based on information collected to date by inspectors, several possible causes have been ruled out including commercial cooking equipment being a direct cause of the fire,' Matthew Touchette, a spokesman for the State Fire Marshal's office, wrote in an update on Thursday. Alexa Gagosz can be reached at
