51 Mill Street Closed from 8/11-8/17

WolfeCrick · 11-27-2008, 10:18 AM

51 Mill is still open.. they had a pretty good late night volume last night. Their house band "Casual Labor" plays a pretty good set every Friday night and the owners have said they are looking to do some entertainment on Sat nites as well.

As an industry professional in the Lakes Region, I talk with a lot of the area restaurateurs - every one is struggling in this economy; everyone is experiencing volume significantly 'down' from last year. The National Restaurant Association stated a few months ago that the restaurant industry was down 40% in the last 12 months - about $80 billion nationally.

It's tough for your local restaurant owners to maintain consistency and an upbeat attitude given the times. This industry employs a lot of young people in this area; young people with young families - they're really struggling to make ends meet, especially the tipped employees.

The downturn makes it that much harder for independent restaurants to compete against the national chains.

DREAMS · 11-27-2008, 11:07 AM

Let's give support to the current owner's of 51 Mill Street as they have provided a quality and unique menu to the Wolfeboro area. We have only been about 3 times but were pleased every time with the meals, lunch and dinner. Their prices for lunch seem very reasonable. They certainly are struggling with the challenge of a high overhead building and operation. The days of owning a restaurant with an affordable mortgage are long gone. The only survivors will be chains which we don't need in Wolfeboro. Gardwoods has some average food but also charges high prices for their quality. Gardwoods Dockside restaurant is priced ourtrageous with small portions of food and middle quality. Their staff is so young they could care less to be serving you as well. They are there for the paycheck like most of us with our jobs. Gardwoods main restuarant menu needs improvements for quality of food, selection, variety and pricing. As most say, the Wolfeboro Inn Food has never been anything to brag about and needs a major revamping for quality and pricing.

Let's hope the 51 Mill Street owners can find a new affordable location to provide a second opportunity to make a dream come true with success. If Mike Love made a go of the same location based on his quality food and fine dining, others can if they have an affordable overhead and costs - of course with a 3/4 to million dollar loan payment to start, that is not affordable to the Wolfeboro location and a season tourist community.

Argie's Wife · 12-02-2008, 12:50 AM

I'm looking forward to checking the place out - and if you've been thinking about it too, check by on this Friday night because Bittersweet will be rocking in the house that night!

Waterbaby · 12-02-2008, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Argie's Wife

I'm looking forward to checking the place out - and if you've been thinking about it too, check by on this Friday night because Bittersweet will be rocking in the house that night!

Does that mean Argie's band is playing Friday night? Dang, wish I lived closer so I could hear them!!!!!!!!!

Argie's Wife · 12-04-2008, 12:50 AM

Yes - Argie's band will be playing. (Argie plays rhythm guitar and sings - never met a microphone he didn't like.) There's 4 members and three of them sing, so there's no real front person, and there's a drummer, bass player, lead guitar and rhythm guitar. If you like oldies rock and roll (Steppenwolf, Stones, etc.) and some of the contemporary stuff (Bonnie Raitt, Nora Jones, etc.) then you'd like Bittersweet.

I think I'm going to go with some friends of mine to check it out... girls night out... it's been a while (too long!) and a little place like that just in the next town is perfect. Wish I'd known about it before or I'd have dragged Argie there for a drink.

Neko · 12-07-2008, 12:25 PM

Just wanted to let every know that 51 Mills Street is alive and well.
Had Lunch on Friday and an early dinner on Saturday. Both were

great.
Looks like they may even open up on Sudays once the Inn cleaes for reapirs.
Glad this find place is staying open
Keep up the good work!!

secondcurve · 12-07-2008, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neko

Just wanted to let every know that 51 Mills Street is alive and well.
Had Lunch on Friday and an early dinner on Saturday. Both were

great.
Looks like they may even open up on Sudays once the Inn cleaes for reapirs.
Glad this find place is staying open
Keep up the good work!!

I hope you are correct. However, according to the below link the restaurant is scheduled to be auctioned on Tuesday. I am pulling for these folks, but it is concerning that their bank keeps scheduling auctions that are apparently resolved just before they are conducted. Let's hope the owners are successful again this week.

http://www.paulmcinnis.com/Lakes-Reg...-Hampshire.asp

secondcurve · 12-16-2008, 08:41 PM

Interesting. The below paragraph came off the paul mcinnis auctioneers web site. The auction was postponed again.......I wonder what is going on?

On Lake Winnipesaukee’s Back Bay
Known As 51 Mill Street
Wolfeboro, New Hampshire
1/6/2009 at 9:00 AM
AUCTION POSTPONED TO: Tuesday,
January 6, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.

eyenotall777 · 01-06-2009, 04:35 PM

As of today - the date has been pushed out until 3/25/09.

Hopefully this is Good News!!!

secondcurve · 01-07-2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyenotall777

As of today - the date has been pushed out until 3/25/09.

Hopefully this is Good News!!!

Maybe they are going to pull this out. It seems some of the most successful restaurants in the lakes region operate on a seasonal basis. Maybe that is the direction this family plans to take with 51 Mill Street.

Tir Na Nog · 01-07-2009, 11:13 AM

Does anyone know if 51 Mill Street will be open this weekend. This has been one of my favorites in Wolfeboro since they opened, but I feel bad that I did not get as much a chance to get there this past summer as I usually would. I would like to give them business (although I suppose one more couple will not make a huge difference) if they are open this weekend.

mcdude · 01-09-2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tir Na Nog

Does anyone know if 51 Mill Street will be open this weekend. This has been one of my favorites in Wolfeboro since they opened, but I feel bad that I did not get as much a chance to get there this past summer as I usually would. I would like to give them business (although I suppose one more couple will not make a huge difference) if they are open this weekend.

According to the Baysider and Gilford Steamer they are offering entertainment this week-end...so they must be open!

Tir Na Nog · 01-09-2009, 12:31 PM

Thanks McDude. We hope to try this weekend.

Neko · 01-11-2009, 08:16 AM

Went to 51 Mill St for an early supper Friday night. The place was packed with people. After talking to the owner they are looking at opening up early on Sundays for brunch, around 10 AM. I'll have to give it a try.
It's nice to have JoAnne back from her honeymoon as well.

Tir Na Nog · 01-12-2009, 06:03 PM

We went there Saturday night around 8:00 PM and it was great. The upper level dining area was opened up into the bar area and there were a fair number of diners finishing up and the bar was full. We were seated in the main dining area below, which was nice and quiet, but not a lot of diners left in that area at that time. I started off with the Tuna appeteizer and it was as incredible as I remember it. This is one of my favorites to order anywhere, but it is particularly good at 51 Mill Street. I then had the Filet Tourenados (sp?), medium rare and my wife had the shrimp and scollops served over angel hair pasta. The filet was great, perfect level of doneness (not really a word), which is something I am particularly concerned about when ordering any kind of steak out. I cook a very good steak and as a result do not order it in restaurants often because I am often dissapointed. But not Saturday night, this was perfect. The potatoes, green beans and mushroom and garlic sauce served with the steak were very good (although for my wife's sake I could have eaten fewer of the garlic cloves). My wife found her scallops and shrimp to be just as good. We indulged and had carrot cake for dessert, which also was very good - - a lot of texture and flavor topped off with a near perfect frosting. I hope this place is able to hang in there and I am sure we will be back again during the winter.

Oh, by the way, the DJ started up as we were finishing our meal and was going in full swing when we left. It was amusing, but not necessarily my style. Folks did seem to be enjoying themselves though. One last thing to be aware of is that at least that night the kitchen closed at 9:30 PM.

Seeker · 02-17-2009, 11:32 PM

Dropped off my tax info today at my accountants office in the Mill St area and asked about the restaurant. Word is it's closed, although they were talking about opening Sundays (doesn't make sense to me). Auction is still set for March as reported here before. Wish they would reopen.

Neko · 03-04-2009, 01:25 PM

Just wanted to let everyone know that 51 Mill St is open.
They are now serving breakfast on Sunday morning's

VitaBene · 01-07-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Maybe they are going to pull this out. It seems some of the most successful restaurants in the lakes region operate on a seasonal basis. Maybe that is the direction this family plans to take with 51 Mill Street.

Unfortunately, I think the land and tax costs are so high that that model may not work for them. Also, you have to put huge summer #s up and it seems that this location does not attract enough casual traffic (you won't stumble across it).

Regardless of how they go, hopefully they can renegotiate leases and/or mortgages to make it work!

Grady223 · 01-07-2009, 01:32 PM

If they do not reopen, no great loss as far as I am concerned. Been there 3 times and had service and food issues each time. If you have poor service and poor food there is no reason to be a restaurant. If you do all things well, location, etc. won't hold you back. Mis En Place is much more off the beaten track service is great, food is great, place is packed. You have to get in your car to get to Morrissey's and they are doing well. Garwoods prices are steep but they are doing well.

Rattlesnake Guy · 01-07-2009, 07:56 PM

We have been to eat many times at 51 and really enjoy the Bar menu. It is an easy walk from the public dock and we hope to visit many times this year if they can pull it out. Highly recommended.

11-27-2008, 10:18 AM	#1
WolfeCrick Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	still open 51 Mill is still open.. they had a pretty good late night volume last night. Their house band "Casual Labor" plays a pretty good set every Friday night and the owners have said they are looking to do some entertainment on Sat nites as well. As an industry professional in the Lakes Region, I talk with a lot of the area restaurateurs - every one is struggling in this economy; everyone is experiencing volume significantly 'down' from last year. The National Restaurant Association stated a few months ago that the restaurant industry was down 40% in the last 12 months - about $80 billion nationally. It's tough for your local restaurant owners to maintain consistency and an upbeat attitude given the times. This industry employs a lot of young people in this area; young people with young families - they're really struggling to make ends meet, especially the tipped employees. The downturn makes it that much harder for independent restaurants to compete against the national chains.

11-27-2008, 11:07 AM	#2
DREAMS Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 51 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Wolfeboro needs new quality restaurants Let's give support to the current owner's of 51 Mill Street as they have provided a quality and unique menu to the Wolfeboro area. We have only been about 3 times but were pleased every time with the meals, lunch and dinner. Their prices for lunch seem very reasonable. They certainly are struggling with the challenge of a high overhead building and operation. The days of owning a restaurant with an affordable mortgage are long gone. The only survivors will be chains which we don't need in Wolfeboro. Gardwoods has some average food but also charges high prices for their quality. Gardwoods Dockside restaurant is priced ourtrageous with small portions of food and middle quality. Their staff is so young they could care less to be serving you as well. They are there for the paycheck like most of us with our jobs. Gardwoods main restuarant menu needs improvements for quality of food, selection, variety and pricing. As most say, the Wolfeboro Inn Food has never been anything to brag about and needs a major revamping for quality and pricing. Let's hope the 51 Mill Street owners can find a new affordable location to provide a second opportunity to make a dream come true with success. If Mike Love made a go of the same location based on his quality food and fine dining, others can if they have an affordable overhead and costs - of course with a 3/4 to million dollar loan payment to start, that is not affordable to the Wolfeboro location and a season tourist community.

12-07-2008, 12:25 PM	#6
Neko Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 102 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	51 Mill Street Just wanted to let every know that 51 Mills Street is alive and well. Had Lunch on Friday and an early dinner on Saturday. Both were great. Looks like they may even open up on Sudays once the Inn cleaes for reapirs. Glad this find place is staying open Keep up the good work!!

01-06-2009, 04:35 PM	#9
eyenotall777 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 155 Thanks: 40 Thanked 28 Times in 19 Posts	Date Changed Again As of today - the date has been pushed out until 3/25/09. Hopefully this is Good News!!!

01-07-2009, 11:13 AM	#11
Tir Na Nog Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 53 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	This Weekend Does anyone know if 51 Mill Street will be open this weekend. This has been one of my favorites in Wolfeboro since they opened, but I feel bad that I did not get as much a chance to get there this past summer as I usually would. I would like to give them business (although I suppose one more couple will not make a huge difference) if they are open this weekend.

12-02-2008, 12:50 AM	#3
Argie's Wife Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Alton Posts: 1,908 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 533 Thanked 579 Times in 260 Posts	I'm looking forward to checking the place out - and if you've been thinking about it too, check by on this Friday night because Bittersweet will be rocking in the house that night!

12-04-2008, 12:50 AM	#5
Argie's Wife Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Alton Posts: 1,908 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 533 Thanked 579 Times in 260 Posts	Yes - Argie's band will be playing. (Argie plays rhythm guitar and sings - never met a microphone he didn't like.) There's 4 members and three of them sing, so there's no real front person, and there's a drummer, bass player, lead guitar and rhythm guitar. If you like oldies rock and roll (Steppenwolf, Stones, etc.) and some of the contemporary stuff (Bonnie Raitt, Nora Jones, etc.) then you'd like Bittersweet. I think I'm going to go with some friends of mine to check it out... girls night out... it's been a while (too long!) and a little place like that just in the next town is perfect. Wish I'd known about it before or I'd have dragged Argie there for a drink.

12-16-2008, 08:41 PM	#8
secondcurve Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,128 Thanks: 1,351 Thanked 564 Times in 291 Posts	Interesting. The below paragraph came off the paul mcinnis auctioneers web site. The auction was postponed again.......I wonder what is going on? On Lake Winnipesaukee’s Back Bay Known As 51 Mill Street Wolfeboro, New Hampshire 1/6/2009 at 9:00 AM AUCTION POSTPONED TO: Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.

01-09-2009, 12:31 PM	#13
Tir Na Nog Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 53 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Thank you Thanks McDude. We hope to try this weekend.

01-11-2009, 08:16 AM	#14
Neko Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 102 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	51 Mill St. Went to 51 Mill St for an early supper Friday night. The place was packed with people. After talking to the owner they are looking at opening up early on Sundays for brunch, around 10 AM. I'll have to give it a try. It's nice to have JoAnne back from her honeymoon as well.

01-12-2009, 06:03 PM	#15
Tir Na Nog Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 53 Thanks: 1 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Very Good We went there Saturday night around 8:00 PM and it was great. The upper level dining area was opened up into the bar area and there were a fair number of diners finishing up and the bar was full. We were seated in the main dining area below, which was nice and quiet, but not a lot of diners left in that area at that time. I started off with the Tuna appeteizer and it was as incredible as I remember it. This is one of my favorites to order anywhere, but it is particularly good at 51 Mill Street. I then had the Filet Tourenados (sp?), medium rare and my wife had the shrimp and scollops served over angel hair pasta. The filet was great, perfect level of doneness (not really a word), which is something I am particularly concerned about when ordering any kind of steak out. I cook a very good steak and as a result do not order it in restaurants often because I am often dissapointed. But not Saturday night, this was perfect. The potatoes, green beans and mushroom and garlic sauce served with the steak were very good (although for my wife's sake I could have eaten fewer of the garlic cloves). My wife found her scallops and shrimp to be just as good. We indulged and had carrot cake for dessert, which also was very good - - a lot of texture and flavor topped off with a near perfect frosting. I hope this place is able to hang in there and I am sure we will be back again during the winter. Oh, by the way, the DJ started up as we were finishing our meal and was going in full swing when we left. It was amusing, but not necessarily my style. Folks did seem to be enjoying themselves though. One last thing to be aware of is that at least that night the kitchen closed at 9:30 PM.

02-17-2009, 11:32 PM	#16
Seeker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Effingham Posts: 408 Thanks: 37 Thanked 19 Times in 15 Posts	Dropped off my tax info today at my accountants office in the Mill St area and asked about the restaurant. Word is it's closed, although they were talking about opening Sundays (doesn't make sense to me). Auction is still set for March as reported here before. Wish they would reopen.

03-04-2009, 01:25 PM	#17
Neko Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 102 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Just wanted to let everyone know that 51 Mill St is open. They are now serving breakfast on Sunday morning's

01-07-2009, 01:32 PM	#19
Grady223 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New Hope, PA & Barndoor Island Posts: 465 Thanks: 93 Thanked 24 Times in 18 Posts	If they do not reopen, no great loss as far as I am concerned. Been there 3 times and had service and food issues each time. If you have poor service and poor food there is no reason to be a restaurant. If you do all things well, location, etc. won't hold you back. Mis En Place is much more off the beaten track service is great, food is great, place is packed. You have to get in your car to get to Morrissey's and they are doing well. Garwoods prices are steep but they are doing well.

01-07-2009, 07:56 PM	#20
Rattlesnake Guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,254 Thanks: 423 Thanked 366 Times in 175 Posts	We have been to eat many times at 51 and really enjoy the Bar menu. It is an easy walk from the public dock and we hope to visit many times this year if they can pull it out. Highly recommended.