Mystic Boathouse restaurant closing after eight years
Mystic — After eight years of serving classic American food and seafood from its stately perch atop the hill on Coogan Boulevard, Mystic Boathouse is closing its doors on Friday evening.
"We have just the best group of regulars ever. It's just such a local community feel," reflected Kaitlin Baker-Hewes, who co-owns the restaurant with her father-in-law, John Hewes. She added, "We've tried really hard to make it a place where people can come a few times a week and just have an affordable dinner."
She declined to comment on why the restaurant is closing.
John Hewes previously ran the Seahorse Restaurant in Noank, Seahorse on the Thames and Skippers Dock in Stonington. He got out of the restaurant industry for a few years to work as a manufacturer's representative but returned in 2010 to open Mystic Boathouse with two other couples.
The other couples stepped out and Baker-Hewes joined in 2012. John Hewes and Kaitlin Baker-Hewes also own The Public House in Old Lyme, and Baker-Hewes owns the wedding-planning business Blue Lane Events.
"It's definitely not a regular job. We definitely all love each other here," manager Tashia Levy said of working at Mystic Boathouse. She added, "I don't think I ever had a shift where I didn't laugh."
As an employee for a year and a half, she considers herself "the baby of the bunch," among many who have been at Mystic Boathouse since its inception.
Mystic resident Nancy Hobart comes to Mystic Boathouse every week or two, and she feels it will be hard to replace because it's such a family spot.
"There's a lot of places that have a touristy feel, but we're looking for a little more homey feel," she said.
Mary Winalski said she always felt welcome at Mystic Boathouse no matter what, and she'll miss coming to trivia with her friend Craig Olisky.
Along with trivia on Monday nights, Mystic Boathouse had half-priced wine on Tuesdays and $5 martinis on Thursdays. Marcy Kelly Trio has been a regular performer over the years.
The restaurant became known as a place to go after the Mystic Irish Parade, as it would be celebrating both St. Patrick's Day and its birthday, having opened on March 17, 2010. John Hewes has also served as grand marshal of the parade.
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