Rhode Island-based Heritage Restaurant Group announced it would be acquiring iconic Wakefield restaurant The Mews Tavern, marking a new chapter in the establishment’s 79-year-history on Feb. 2.
Known for its interior charm, comfort food and large selection of craft beers, The Mews Tavern has long been a community staple for residents of South County. Founded in 1947, Mews has welcomed generations of URI students.
Mews will continue to be located at 456 Main St., focusing on maintaining the brand and rapport that the establishment has built in its nearly 80-year history, according to a statement from Heritage Restaurant Group spokesperson Matt Lyons.
“The Mews Tavern is part of Wakefield’s identity,” Lyons said. “Our mission is to protect and strengthen what already matters. In an environment where independent restaurants face unprecedented pressure, helping ensure The Mews’ future is exactly why Heritage was formed.”
Restaurants under the group’s control include La Forge Casino Restaurant, Wally’s Weiners, Cluck House, Brick Alley and Pub Restaurant, The Reef, The Red Parrot, Flo’s Clamshack, Olneyville New York System, Caleb and Broad and Jo’s American Bistro, according to the Heritage Restaurant Group website.
The group ensured that no changes will come to Mews, according to the statement.
“This is about preservation, not expansion,” Lyons said. “The Mews has been a gathering spot with history and heart. Our role is to keep the soul intact, invest thoughtfully and ensure it remains a vibrant part of South County for generations to come.”
In the wake of the sale, The Mews Tavern general manager George McAuliffe said that he will remain with the establishment under the new ownership, according to a statement from McAuliffe.
“It was incredibly important that The Mews’ next chapter be written with care,” McAuliffe said. “This restaurant has always been more than a business, it’s a home for our staff, our regulars, and the Wakefield community.”
With the rapport that the Heritage Restaurant Group has built in its work with other iconic Rhode Island eateries, there is a level of trust that the same mission will continue with The Mews, according to McAuliffee.
“Heritage Restaurant Group understands what The Mews represents,” McAuliffee said. “I’m confident they will honor its legacy while providing the support needed for long-term success.”
There has been much speculation and concern from the local community on if this acquisition means major changes for an establishment that they have come to know and love over the years, according to URI student third-year Kiana Stebenne, who works at The Mews.
The place that students and locals have come to socialize for eight decades would not be undergoing any major changes, according to Stebenne.
“I’m sure there’ll be small, minor changes,” Stebenne said. “But from what we’ve been told there’s not going to be any changes with the staff or any remodeling or anything like that.”
This move will be good for Mews, a helping hand in a competitive restaurant landscape, according to Stebenne.
“They’re just going to fix up stuff we can’t necessarily fix right now,” Stebenne said. “I’m not too worried about big changes because this place is running good now as it is. I’m pretty sure that’s the reason why they bought it. I don’t think that they’re going to want to change too much about it.”
While the deal will not be finalized until later this year, according to the Heritage Restaurant Group’s website, the sale is imminent, and students and locals will await to see if The Mews remains the same community hub for years to come.
