Woodshed Restaurant fire 11-28-13

[dippasan]

Originally Posted by phoenix

I remember when Mike Love's restaurant also burned down in Moultonborough. After a while he opened a new rest in Wolfeboro but eventually changed concepts and opened Lemon Grass. I also think it will be tough to open again on same site and assume the same result. It was also my favorite in lakes region and with Wayside Inn my two favorite period restaurants

I remember Mike Love's restaurant in Moultonboro. It was the Sweetwater Inn.
I proposed to my wife there in 1989. My in laws lived in Center Harbor and my mother in law and brother in law both worked at the Sweetwater during the time I proposed. It was a great place with great food and a great atmosphere.
Too bad it had the same fate as the Woodshed.

[Newbiesaukee]

Where exactly was the Sweetwater Inn?

[hazelnut]

Originally Posted by Newbiesaukee

Where exactly was the Sweetwater Inn?

Ahhhhh the Sweetwater Inn. So many fond memories, my parents took us there all the time. It was just past the Village Kitchen if you're headed towards Moultonboro Town Center. On the right side, up a little incline, I believe there is a mechanical company or something there now. What an awesome restaurant that was. We used to spend New Years eve there many many years.

Note: Sweetwater was not an Inn, as in you didn't sleep there. At least not that I remember.

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by hazelnut

Ahhhhh the Sweetwater Inn. So many fond memories, my parents took us there all the time. It was just past the Village Kitchen if you're headed towards Moultonboro Town Center. On the right side, up a little incline, I believe there is a mechanical company or something there now. What an awesome restaurant that was. We used to spend New Years eve there many many years.

Note: Sweetwater was not an Inn, as in you didn't sleep there. At least not that I remember.

Hmmm... must be where Ossipee MT Electronics is now.

[Nagigator]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

Hmmm... must be where Ossipee MT Electronics is now.

They still use the same old sign for the Sweetwater, out by the road, but of course it for the present business......

[dippasan]

FYI...I just did a Google search for the Sweetwater Inn NH and found an obituary for Mike Love. I was unaware that he passed away in 2008 in Panama where he and his wife retired, due to complications from a stroke. RIP Mike!!

I thought some of you might want to know.

[tis]

It was discussed on here, dippasan, you must have missed it.

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by dippasan

FYI...I just did a Google search for the Sweetwater Inn NH and found an obituary for Mike Love. I was unaware that he passed away in 2008 in Panama where he and his wife retired, due to complications from a stroke. RIP Mike!!

I thought some of you might want to know.

I do remember Mike's passing. That was definitely a sad story and a great loss for the Lakes Region. I never went to the Sweetwater Inn but had the pleasure of visiting his Loves Quay restaurant in Wolfeboro many, many times. He was a talented chef and an exceptionally nice guy.

[Just Sold]

From the Union Leader:

Home » News » Business

January 05. 2014 8:06PM
Part-owner says Woodshed Restaurant in Moultonborough unlikely to be rebuilt

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By DAN SEUFERT
Union Leader Correspondent
MOULTONBOROUGH — As fire investigators continue to search for the cause of the fire that destroyed the landmark Woodshed Restaurant on Thanksgiving, one of the owners says the restaurant likely will not be rebuilt.

“We would love to try and rebuild something, but re-creating the Woodshed would be nearly impossible,” said part-owner Scott Ouellette. “We may have a memorial to it somewhere.”

The 2,000-square-foot restaurant was once a 19th-century former farmhouse. It was converted to a restaurant about 40 years ago. Ouellette bought the restaurant a little more than a year ago with three partners.

The restaurant featured 40 years of collected memorabilia and photos of famous people, like actor Henry Fonda, who ate there. The restaurant building was valued at $401,500, according to town officials.

According to employees, the last person in the restaurant had left just before 9 p.m. The fire was reported just before 10 p.m., and by 11 p.m. the building was engulfed in flames.

Local and state fire investigators have completed most of the inspection at the site, but are still interviewing the 40 former Woodshed employees about what they saw.

No cause has been ruled out, according to fire investigator Bill Clark of the state Fire Marshal’s Office, not even arson.

“Nothing has been found as the cause, and nothing has been ruled out,” Clark said. “We are still interviewing people, and any one of those interviews could lead us to the cause.”

Because the cause of the fire is still unknown, the owners of the restaurant and their insurance companies haven’t made a final decision about rebuilding.

“We really can’t do anything now. Everything is pretty much on hold,” Ouellette said.

But Ouellette said rebuilding is unlikely.

“It’s an out-of-the-way site, and whatever you build there will be something else, not The Woodshed,” he said.

“I don’t think you can ever recreate The Woodshed,” Ouellette said.

dseufert@newstote.com

[BroadHopper]

I had the opportunity and befriend with Mike Love at Belknap College. It was the college that brought him to this area. Same with Joe Droukas, who once owned The Mug and a talented local musician.

I followed Mike Love from one establishment to another until he retired.

Joe met a local Winnisguam beauty and moved to Clearwater FL for the winters. He summered on Mink Island. Joe past away two years ago.

I can see them now with the higher power, discussing food and the Belknap College days. They are at peace.

[Greene's Basin Girl]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

I had the opportunity and befriend with Mike Love at Belknap College. It was the college that brought him to this area. Same with Joe Droukas, who once owned The Mug and a talented local musician.

I followed Mike Love from one establishment to another until he retired.

Joe met a local Winnisguam beauty and moved to Clearwater FL for the winters. He summered on Mink Island. Joe past away two years ago.

I can see them now with the higher power, discussing food and the Belknap College days. They are at peace.

When did Joe summer on Mink Island? He resided for many many years on Gilman Point Road in Green's Basin?

[phoenix]

he lived down from me on Gilman point until he died and property still in the name of his trust

[surfnsnow]

before that, I believe joe lived in buzzels cove

[BroadHopper]

In the past few years I see him with his girlfriend on Mink Island. I was under the impression that is where he was staying.

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by Just Sold

From the Union Leader:

Home » News » Business

January 05. 2014 8:06PM
Part-owner says Woodshed Restaurant in Moultonborough unlikely to be rebuilt

ShareThis

By DAN SEUFERT
Union Leader Correspondent
MOULTONBOROUGH — As fire investigators continue to search for the cause of the fire that destroyed the landmark Woodshed Restaurant on Thanksgiving, one of the owners says the restaurant likely will not be rebuilt.

“We would love to try and rebuild something, but re-creating the Woodshed would be nearly impossible,” said part-owner Scott Ouellette. “We may have a memorial to it somewhere.”

The 2,000-square-foot restaurant was once a 19th-century former farmhouse. It was converted to a restaurant about 40 years ago. Ouellette bought the restaurant a little more than a year ago with three partners.

The restaurant featured 40 years of collected memorabilia and photos of famous people, like actor Henry Fonda, who ate there. The restaurant building was valued at $401,500, according to town officials.

According to employees, the last person in the restaurant had left just before 9 p.m. The fire was reported just before 10 p.m., and by 11 p.m. the building was engulfed in flames.

Local and state fire investigators have completed most of the inspection at the site, but are still interviewing the 40 former Woodshed employees about what they saw.

No cause has been ruled out, according to fire investigator Bill Clark of the state Fire Marshal’s Office, not even arson.

“Nothing has been found as the cause, and nothing has been ruled out,” Clark said. “We are still interviewing people, and any one of those interviews could lead us to the cause.”

Because the cause of the fire is still unknown, the owners of the restaurant and their insurance companies haven’t made a final decision about rebuilding.

“We really can’t do anything now. Everything is pretty much on hold,” Ouellette said.

But Ouellette said rebuilding is unlikely.

“It’s an out-of-the-way site, and whatever you build there will be something else, not The Woodshed,” he said.

“I don’t think you can ever recreate The Woodshed,” Ouellette said.

dseufert@newstote.com

Maybe it is me but shouldn't the owner at this point be saying we are going to build at any cost if nothing else based upon emotion? Plus, the Woodshed has had such a following for so many years if the restaurant were recreated I am almost certain that following would return if for no other reason out of curiosity. I hope this story has a good ending.

[wifi]

Remember there are four separate owners here, its not like it can resurrect itself as the "Canoe Shed"

[phoenix]

its a business proposition. The owners would build if they thought the return was acceptable

[Billy Bob]

"Maybe it is me but shouldn't the owner at this point be saying we are going to build at any cost if nothing else based upon emotion? Plus, the Woodshed has had such a following for so many years if the restaurant were recreated I am almost certain that following would return if for no other reason out of curiosity. I hope this story has a good ending "
Actually the recent history of the place disputes your statement. The current owners did pick this up at a foreclosure sale for a rather attractive price. Had it previously been doing well would it have been in foreclosure ? the previous management had also been on the no additional liquor list with the state , not a great indication of financial success. The loyal clientele is ageing and not being replaced by younger regulars , just wasn't a hip place.
I think Oulette has it right , its a out of the way location and the draw was the building . Emotional business people don't make it , financially realistic business people make it. But I'm sure the current owners would look at your offer if you want to give the place a try and buy the lot .

[Happy Gourmand]

Originally Posted by Billy Bob

I think Oulette has it right , its a out of the way location and the draw was the building . Emotional business people don't make it , financially realistic business people make it. But I'm sure the current owners would look at your offer if you want to give the place a try and buy the lot .

Is it just me? This seems so wrong on so many levels.

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by The Phantom Gourmand

Is it just me? This seems so wrong on so many levels.

How so? That response didn't seem at all out of line to me.

It seems that people expect that the Woodshed should be rebuilt out of tradition or something, without looking at the financial aspect of things. The current owners bought it (presumably) for the earning potential, and now that is gone and they are logically abandoning the property. If someone wants to pour money down a nostalgia drain, they're certainly welcome to do so, but shouldn't expect the original owners to do so out of any kind of obligation.

[LIforrelaxin]

While Oullette may have it right that it is an out of the way location, it doesn't mean that something couldn't be built to replace it, and have success.

The issue is will all 4 owners want to rebuild... My guess is not... this was a business and investment opportunity... They are more likely to take the insurance settlement and walk away. If there ever is an insurance settlement.

Should the "WoodShed" be recreated, well that is a separate question... As I have thought about this some, I would say not.... A new restaurant on the other hand would be fantastic......

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by brk-lnt

How so? That response didn't seem at all out of line to me.

It seems that people expect that the Woodshed should be rebuilt out of tradition or something, without looking at the financial aspect of things. The current owners bought it (presumably) for the earning potential, and now that is gone and they are logically abandoning the property. If someone wants to pour money down a nostalgia drain, they're certainly welcome to do so, but shouldn't expect the original owners to do so out of any kind of obligation.

If it was insured properly and the fire is proven to have been an accident than logic dictates the business can be recreated with insurance proceeds and customers would return. There clearly can be a successful business here. How successful depends on what level of debt needs to be placed on the business and what the resultant debt service is. Lots of facts to come out here before what we know what will happen.

[jeffk]

The fact that the restaurant had been in foreclosure indicates that it wasn't performing all that well, nostalgia and good will included. The new owners probably got it for a pretty good price under the circumstances. Would people go to an out of the way location in Moultonborough for a regular, reasonable cost to build restaurant? I doubt it. To "recreate" a Woodshed would be prohibitively expensive and somewhat artificial. It's a really poor business risk to sink money into such a venture and the 4 who invested are not starry eyed fools.

[Happy Gourmand]

I could be wrong, but I feel that the success of a restaurant is more dependent on the quality of the food and to a somewhat lesser degree, the location and the actual building itself. You could have the most beautiful building in the finest location, but if your food sucks, you're not long for the chopping block. Of course, there are many exceptions, but I feel that the food is what will really have the biggest effect on success. Returning diners and word of mouth advertising are key.

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by jeffk

The fact that the restaurant had been in foreclosure indicates that it wasn't performing all that well, nostalgia and good will included. The new owners probably got it for a pretty good price under the circumstances. Would people go to an out of the way location in Moultonborough for a regular, reasonable cost to build restaurant? I doubt it. To "recreate" a Woodshed would be prohibitively expensive and somewhat artificial. It's a really poor business risk to sink money into such a venture and the 4 who invested are not starry eyed fools.

They got the Woodshed for a great price (somewhere just north of $500K), and from what I understand, insured it to cover that value. Given that the land did not burn down and it is valued around $75K, the owners would likely only have around $400K or so to build a restaurant, fit it out and fill it with food, wine, etc.

I don't see it working math-wise. Anyone that reads these threads knows that I was a very regular customer (and my teenage daughter worked there) at the Woodshed, so I write this with sadness.

[Gearhead]

My wife and I will really miss it. We went there at least once a year and we made it a point to reserve a table on Valentines day. I guess it's just a memory now.

It's off the beaten path, but we also go to a similar place - Clay Hill farm in Cape Neddick, ME. The food quality is very good and the atmosphere is beautiful. We always ask for a table with a view on the garden.

GH

[BroadHopper]

has been my 'romantic' favorite in the area. Next best place I would pick the 'Corner House' in Sandwich or 'Tavern 27' in Laconia.

There use to be more, 'Nutmeg Inn', 'Red Hill Inn', 'Squam Lake Inn', to name a few and they are either close or became 'commercialized'.

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Maybe it is me but shouldn't the owner at this point be saying we are going to build at any cost if nothing else based upon emotion?

Why in the world should he be saying that? They're a business, not a charity.