Christmas Island Steakhouse

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by MeredithMan

...I was worried that that corner was becoming the Paugus Bay version of The Weirs... I haven't been in the restaurant in probably 20+ years...how was the food/service before its recent closure? Always seemed to be a lot of cars there, especially on weekends....

They closed because the property was sold. Not because of anything negative. The steakhouse has a following (their Facebook page shows that) and if they can remedy the parking problem they should do well. Hopefully Tony will be back too. There's a lot of work ahead for that property.

[Woodsy]

Hopefully there will not be a problem with zoning..... there is a proposal on the table to rezone that part of the Weirs to Residential.... That would make it VERY difficult for the restaurant to open.


Woodsy

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by Woodsy

Hopefully there will not be a problem with zoning..... there is a proposal on the table to rezone that part of the Weirs to Residential.... That would make it VERY difficult for the restaurant to open.


Woodsy

The restaurant is grandfathered in...not a problem. The new zoning was approved last week, which I think, made the sale of the property 'as a restaurant' a priority for the seller.

[Woodsy]

I am not sure it is grandfathered... the article I read specifically noted that they (ZBA) could not do spot zoning and a variance would be needed for Christmas Island as it was not open (existing business) at the time of the proposed zoning change... The zoning change would definitely devalue the Christmas Island restaurant property.

I believe John Ganong has a similar issue with his property...

Woodsy

[PaugusBayFireFighter]

Originally Posted by Woodsy

I am not sure it is grandfathered... the article I read specifically noted that they (ZBA) could not do spot zoning and a variance would be needed for Christmas Island as it was not open (existing business) at the time of the proposed zoning change... The zoning change would definitely devalue the Christmas Island restaurant property.

I believe John Ganong has a similar issue with his property...

Woodsy

It would not have been purchased had it not been able to reopen as a restaurant, that I'm 100% sure of.
John just built a beautiful new deck for his business. It looks great.

[AC2717]

From what I read the final selectman vote was to happen second week of May was postponed from next week due to poor notice

[Woodsy]

I also think there is a time delay for the zoning implementation... I am pretty sure the zoning change forced their hand a little as far as the selling price of the property.

I cant wait to try out the new place!

Woodsy

[Happy Gourmand]

One of the very best prime ribs in the region!