NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — An employee at Taylor's Steak and Seafood on Holden Street has purchased the restaurant and will make it his own in August.
Jared Decoteau has been working at the restaurant for the last two years, becoming good friends with owner Colleen Taylor. Decoteau had always wanted to run a restaurant, and when Taylor found herself and her brother and business partner Sean Taylor becoming increasingly busy with their own lives, what started as a casual conversation snowballed into a deal.
"It's a feel-good thing. It all unfolded well," Colleen Taylor, who also owns the Freight Yard Pub, said on Thursday. "It feels good and it feels right."
The transfer is pending the liquor license transfer that Decoteau expects in August. When that goes through, Taylor's will close down and Public Eat and Drink will open in the space.
"I was looking to start up a place and she was looking to unload one," Decoteau said. "It's going to be a little more casual. It'll be some smaller plates and sandwiches — a little on the lighter side."
Decoteau expects to go in front of the Planning Board on Monday for approval of his signs. He's already launched a Facebook page.
Public will feature "casual and inventive" dining with live entertainment and a late-night bar menu. Most of the current staff will be retained and the inside will be redecorated a bit, he said.
"I can't take over until the transfer is complete," Decoteau said. "There is a lot I'm still working out."
The new full-service restaurant will be open from 5 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. most days. It will be closed on Tuesday and on Sunday it will be open for brunch.
The Taylor siblings opened the restaurant in 2007, filling the vacant space that had been Gideon's. Colleen Taylor said the restaurant never went on the market because the owners had no intention to sell it immediately. And then the wheels started turning and the conversation became more serious.
"It was a good opportunity for both of us," Taylor said. "There was a seed that was planted. We weren't even looking to do that."
Decoteau said the two were casually discussing the exchange for about a year and the deal became serious. Now Decoteau will have a restaurant of his own and the Taylors get to sell the restaurant to a close friend.
"You always, someday, want to sell your restaurant," Colleen Taylor said. "We're going back to the Freight Yard Pub and square-one."
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Good idea, I never understood why they would want to compete against themselves. They had twice the overhead for the same amount of customers.
I wish the new owner luck but he must realize he is pursuing a model that is over played in the area and where the late comers have failed with that model.
Editor: Uh, isn't anybody who sells something looking to "unload" it? If she wasn't looking to unload it, she wouldn't have sold it! I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)
Good luck to the Taylors. They have done a great job in the city, hopefully they dont leave eventually and The FreightYard can exist longer as well. They put their money where their mouth is and many cant say the same thing around here.
The Taylor's unloaded Taylors because they are losing money. They do not even pay their rent to the city of north adams for the Freightyard. Last I heard they owe over 30,000 in back rent to north adams. Im sure you will delete this, but before you do just ask the mayor. If he tells you differnetly he is lieing.
Editor: Why would I delete this? Why does everyone keep saying I delete comments? I delete or edit - showing where I edited - foul language, personal attacks, spam and libel. I'll also delete comments that stray considerably off-topic but not before warning people.
Taylor's difficulties have not been a secret; it's a been a tough time for restaurants. Of course, if they don't owe that much, it could be libel. I Agree (0) - I Disagree (0)
I am excited to see what this new restaurant has in store. GOOD LUCK!! Decoteau and Public!!
Pay no attention to the woman behind the curtain. She has supreme power over all comments and will delete you at will. She alone decides the fate of your comment!
Was in the Pub last night commenting on how comfortable it always is. But like Waterstreet Grill/Williamstown
it needs updating, cleaning, sprucing up. I hope now that Colleen and Sean have " unloaded" Taylors and can get back on their feet after the " contruction fiasco " they will consider a much needed " facelift" for the Pub.
I agree the Pub needs a facelift. The new menu Sean worked up is really nice and a good start. Let's get new items on the menu. Also, let's eliminate the live music. I can't hear myself think when I'm eating never mind hearing what my friends are saying.
Glad to see others excited for change! I'm going to send all my positive energy over to Public and all involved in the process. Active members of the community moving forward together is a beautiful thing. Cannot wait to go try it out!
I am extremely excited to have a new place opening in North Adams. As of now there are a lot of take out and fast food eateries. Or in other restaurants, the owners have taken short cuts and it is just not so inviting. I think public is going to be great and i cannot wait to see what they have in store!
I am thrilled!! Jared has much experience in the resturant business!! Public will be amazing!!! It's about time theres a new place to have a drink and some good food! So excited for the entertainment! I know that Public will be the place to go in no time!!
Why do new NA restaurants insist on being performance venues? Focus on the food, do it well, hit the right price-point, quality and freshness mix and you'll build a base of regulars. When winter comes - and its coming quickly - you'll be glad to have those regulars.
Because everyone wants to have the next Cheers Bar / Friends coffee house. They want to be THE place where people go to hang out. Here is why it never works in real life - restaurants count on turn over to make a profit. The more butts they can get to sit in the same seat night after night, the more they make. Having patrons come and linger for the evening buying a drink here, an appetizer there doesn't make any money for the restaurant/pub/bar.
If a restaurant/pub/bar can consistently turn over their seating area 2 to 3 times a night, they are a successful joint.
If you bring in live entertainment, someone has to pay for that. Either prices go up or there is a cover charge. Wrong type of economy to be charging a cover charge.
I would consider either a real New York style deli or a place for 16 - 20 year old's to hang out - they have the most disposable income right now.
I appreciate Colleen and Shawn's efforts. They lost focus on Taylors which never found it's niche. I didn't know if it was fine dining, sushi, pub, sports bar, or buffet. It was okay but never as good as the freight yard in it's earlier days nor did it match Gideons. I hope they refocus on FYP. I am concerned PUBLIC is trying to be another trendy food/club establishment which falls flat here...Joga, Gideons, The Alley. They were cool places that did costly entertainment and flopped. I will surely try it and I hope I am wrong. Good luck to both of them.
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