Downtown Grille - status?

[Merrymeeting]

Does anyone have insight into the status of the Downtown Grille in Wolfeboro?

They closed what was a thriving business about a year ago, for renovations (though it's not clear why they were needed. The facility, at least from a customer point of view, was very nice). They said they were going to reopen in March 2023. March became June. Then June became ???.

We were at The Wicked Loon about a month ago and the waitress told us they were going to start offering the Grille breakfast menu there soon. No sign of that yet either.

As stated above, the Grille was always busy and seemed to be one of the few that actually maintained a good offseason business. No clear why they closed.

[camp guy]

You have hit the nail on the head - almost everyone is asking the same questions and has the same opinion of the Grille as you. There was a flurry of activity, then nothing, then another flurry, and now, back to nothing. Very strange.

[tis]

Originally Posted by camp guy

You have hit the nail on the head - almost everyone is asking the same questions and has the same opinion of the Grille as you. There was a flurry of activity, then nothing, then another flurry, and now, back to nothing. Very strange.

Yes. They keeps saying it is going to open?????

[BrownstoneNorth]

Seems that at some point shortly after the then-owner closed it for renovations in March — things like upgraded electric systems —with planned reopening in the summer, it was sold to Localtopia Hosptiality Group, which also owns Localtopia, The Wicked Loan, and Bayberry. By May, it became gut renovation and major reinvention; Localtopia was still saying summer 2023, which was obviously much too optimistic.

. https://www.facebook.com/downtowngri...stjHqHr1LYjxel

“The Downtown Grill will be shutting down this Monday, March 20th for renovations. We are updating our electrical and HVAC systems and some of our kitchen equipment. The extent of the necessary electrical work unfortunately means we will have to temporarily pause our operations. We appreciate all the support from our community throughout the years and will be working very hard to get back up and running as soon as possible.”

May 12: . https://www.facebook.com/downtowngri...diW8yJwo4hnEkl

“Hi all - thanks for your comments! Like most, we also loved the Downtown Grille and will be reintroducing much of the same great menu. We are excited to be offering a full service sit down breakfast and lunch along with a coffee/cocktail bar! Future plans include expanding to the second floor and offering a family focused dinner menu with a relaxed, casual vibe. Air conditioning will be served with all meals.”

[Swimmer215]

Just peeked in their window this morning and it looks as if some progress is finally being made. BUT....they have a whole wall decorated with what look like antique meat grinders! WTF? That just screams insufferably trendy/ pretentious to us -- like those utterly ridiculous faucets they have in the restrooms shared by Localtopia and Wicked Loon. We loved Downtown Grill and I guess its replacement is going to be a VERY different animal. Does anyone know anything else?

[WinterHarborGuy]

Scuttlebutt I heard is that the original construction company was ‘fired’ and that had a lot to do with the delay. Apparently the 2nd floor (with a new deck?) is going to be a sports bar type vibe…

[Flotnjr]

I know that the same guy owns Localtopia and the Wicked Loon. I've heard rumors from a person that has some vague real estate knowledge that it's going to be turned into some kind of steakhouse. Could be wrong- anybody else heard anything similar? If that's the case- Seven Suns or Three Sisters will be getting my breakfast sammich orders!

[Merrymeeting]

The mixed messages continue. The 2024 Edition of Dining Out has an ad for The Downtown Grill with a new logo. Their Facebook page was updated yesterday with a tease about a new chapter about to unfold "coming soon". Their Instagram page says closed for renovations, reopening summer 2024. And their own webpage ( https://dtgnh.com/ ) states opening late spring 2024 (already missed that one).

Hopefully something is happening soon and it's somewhat close to what it was. It was a nice breakfast option in Wolfeboro.

[gokart-mozart]

DTG open for breakfast 6/28/24

[marinewife]

Stopped in this morning to see the interior and the menus-

Upscale, hip- very different feel, with a large bar and people drinking at 10:AM-

Serving breakfast and lunch but adding dinner in a few weeks-

NO takeout for meals, so that's a big change from locals being able to hop in for a breakfast sandwich

Additionally opening up a sports bar/liquor/video games upstairs soon-

[WinterHarborGuy]

Went for lunch today. Decor is great…stone facade on bar and yes, upscale. Most of one wall is made of 30-40 framed historical photos of Wolfeboro.

Lots of staff, and the meal (burger for me, salad with scallops for wife) was quite good. Deck was too full to be seated so we ate inside. Prices average..$58 for 2 (no alcohol)

[jazzman]

No takeout........... Seems crazy.

My morning schedule is to get a takeout egg sandwich and go drive the Millie B :-(

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by jazzman

No takeout........... Seems crazy.

My morning schedule is to get a takeout egg sandwich and go drive the Millie B :-(

No margin in breakfast sandwiches to go--they're going uptown with the Downtown.

I don't know if this new place will be for me, but I'm a big fan of the 3 others, and I love the way they've stepped up big time in Wolfeboro

[NanaMac]

A group of 8 of us went for lunch on Saturday. Everyone had something different and everyone was very satisfied! The fish tacos, haddock sandwich and lobster roll were all rated a big thumbs up. The Cobb salad and beet salad and burgers were also rated as very good (including the fries) and even the veggie flatbread was a winner! We ate inside due to the heat outside but garnered a round table which is also a plus for our group. Our waitress, Terri, was extremely friendly and efficient. She also has a gorgeous smile!
We will definitely recommend and return! We wish them continued success as they expand and grow!

[Heaven]

Originally Posted by jazzman

No takeout........... Seems crazy.

My morning schedule is to get a takeout egg sandwich and go drive the Millie B :-(

I agree, it was the only place on the southbound side of the road to pick up a quick coffee or breakfast sandwich early on the way to work. It may not sound like a big deal, but pulling into a location on the other side of the street and then pulling back out across traffic to continue south is a pain in the asp. They were also often good and ready before 7am. . . not serving the working folk anymore, in many ways.

[Winni1952]

Feel it was a mistake for the owners to radically change the casual dining experience and menu of the old Downtown Grill.

Wolfeboro has too many "formal" restaurants as it is...one more wasnt needed.

[WinnisquamZ]

Customer base in Wolfeboro absolutely needed another high end restaurant experience. Difficult to get a table as it is. Higher profits and better customer experience justifies the switch


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[camp guy]

Perfectly said remarks, only you were kinder in your presentation than the new owners deserve. They completely screwed up a very well-run, local eating place, further depriving locals of something they were used to. Wolfeboro is NOT a single-season town, and with restaurants pricing themselves at the "summer crowd" level, us locals are hard put to eat our the other three seasons.
Thank you for your post.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by camp guy

Perfectly said remarks, only you were kinder in your presentation than the new owners deserve. They completely screwed up a very well-run, local eating place, further depriving locals of something they were used to. Wolfeboro is NOT a single-season town, and with restaurants pricing themselves at the "summer crowd" level, us locals are hard put to eat our the other three seasons.

Thank you for your post.

I was wondering about the off-season potential as well, but the Birch & Vine, which many had the same concerns about, seems to be doing well?

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[WinnisquamZ]

It has everything and more to do with the changing demographics in the lake region. Millions of dollars have been invested and people expect a certain level of service. As a business you must choose sides. Being everyone cup of tea is no longer a option


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[mike parker]

Downtown Grille is open- bottom floor for breakfast till 11 and then lunch. upstairs now open also for dinner Thursday- Sunday.

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

I was wondering about the off-season potential as well, but the Birch & Vine, which many had the same concerns about, seems to be doing well?

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Doing well for the owners is different than doing well for the community. When Birch & Vine was the Pine Cone, it welcomed all, there were plenty of local people and summer people, and there was something for everyone on the menu.

As Birch & Vine, they stripped out many of the value-priced items, and made the place less local-friendly in general. The food is still excellent (go with the shrimp burger), but our family of summer people miss the family/egalitarian vibe of the old place, and we go much less often.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

Doing well for the owners is different than doing well for the community. When Birch & Vine was the Pine Cone, it welcomed all, there were plenty of local people and summer people, and there was something for everyone on the menu.

As Birch & Vine, they stripped out many of the value-priced items, and made the place less local-friendly in general. The food is still excellent (go with the shrimp burger), but our family of summer people miss the family/egalitarian vibe of the old place, and we go much less often.

It's basic capitalism, though, right?

Clearly it's doing well enough "for the community" that enough people are going to continue its existence.

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[camp guy]

Both Birch & Vine and Downtown Grille (formerly) were very friendly places. If you went in and saw someone you knew, it was perfectly okay to pull up a chair and join the party.
I am sure restaurants are faced with enormous challenges to keep prices at a level where an owner can meet expenses and have a little left over. The old adage of keep the prices low and make up the difference in volume probably doesn't work in today's economy.

[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

It's basic capitalism, though, right?

Clearly it's doing well enough "for the community" that enough people are going to continue its existence.

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Yes, basic capitalism, and I'm VERY big on capitalism. Plus, I'm rooting for both B&V and DG. But having said that, capitalism is not perfect. I don't think the most successful business is necessarily the one that is best for the community overall, and I do not like that capitalism often includes the "little guy" getting squeezed out. That's the case with the former customers of both Downtown Grille and Pine Cone.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by FlyingScot

Yes, basic capitalism, and I'm VERY big on capitalism. Plus, I'm rooting for both B&V and DG. But having said that, capitalism is not perfect. I don't think the most successful business is necessarily the one that is best for the community overall, and I do not like that capitalism often includes the "little guy" getting squeezed out. That's the case with the former customers of both Downtown Grille and Pine Cone.

Agreed, but that balance has to be awful hard to strike in the Lakes Region, right?

Locals might prefer the "hometown" Pine Cone whereas visitors might prefer the more "refined" Birch and Vine...though there still has to be sufficient local support year-round...

Speaking of which, are there any instances where restaurants have gone the other way?

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[barefootbay]

Birch & Vine seems to have succeeded as they are busy year round with locals and tourists alike .